How to Change a Toilet | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows the basics of changing a toilet.
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Time: 1 hour
Cost: $30
Skill Level: Moderate
Tools List for Changing a Toilet:
Open ended adjustable wrench [amzn.to/2LIZ159]
Putty knife [amzn.to/2NR56zf]
Mini hacksaw [amzn.to/2NVsmfE]
Shopping List:
Bucket [amzn.to/2Lo4LCy]
Sponge [amzn.to/2N83O3o]
Drop cloth [amzn.to/2A99IbK] or plywood [amzn.to/2N8tzQT]
Gloves [amzn.to/2N8sDvM]
Closet bolts [amzn.to/2PYXYn0], closet nuts [amzn.to/318aMIS], and closet washers [amzn.to/2NPtUro]
Wax ring [amzn.to/2N8442m]
Toilet caps [amzn.to/2Q2oR9y]
Steps:
1. Shut the water off at the toilet. The shut off valve should be to the left of the toilet.
2. Flush the toilet to drain out as much water as possible. The rest can be removed with a sponge and a bucket.
3. Break the water connection from the hose to the toilet tank. It usually can be loosened with hands alone.
4. Use the open ended adjustable wrench to loosen the closet bolts on both sides of the toilet. Remove the nut and the washer.
5. Use the grips under the toilet to carefully lift the toilet straight up off the bolts. Place the toilet on a piece of plywood or drop cloth to protect the floor.
6. Wearing gloves, remove the wax around the flange using a putty knife.
7. Check to ensure the closet flange is intact. Replace if it is broken.
8. Insert new closet bolts into the flange. Buy ones with plastic tabs on them so they stay in place. It will make it easier to put the toilet back on.
9. Add a new wax ring to the flange.
10. Carefully put the toilet back on the flange and push to set into the wax ring.
11. Add the toilet cap base to the closet bolts on both sides.
12. Put the washer and nut back on the closet bolts. Secure them on both sides with the open-ended adjustable wrench. Take turns securing each side and do not overtighten to prevent damaging the toilet.
13. Use the mini hacksaw to carefully cut the closet bolts close to the nut.
14. Add the toilet cap to the closet bolt. It should snap right into the cap base.
15. Hand tighten the water connection back to the toilet.
16. Turn the water back on.
Resources:
Everything Richard used to remove and reinstall the toilet, including the sponge, bucket, wrench, and closet bolts, can be found at home centers and plumbing supply stores.
About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How to Change a Toilet | Ask This Old House
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[@jacobcallahan2140]

I'm so happy I found this channel. No terrible acting or fake enthusiasm, just good solid information and explanations. Excellent camera work and multiple options for what to purchase at the hardware store. Amazing value in this channel.

[@kevinmorrissey9398]

Agreed it feels like a genuine interaction anyone might have with an expert.

[@ubb4me]

After you remove the toilet stuff a towel into the pipe opening to prevent gases from coming up and to prevent dropping a nut, washer, bolt ,etc. down the drain.

[@joshroppo5136]

This Old House is an absolute American treasure for experienced home repair advice. Thanks for posting these helpful videos to KZbin!

[@StelleyAnn]

I wish every toilet 🚽 was in the middle of the room, far away from all walls. That would make changing the toilet so much easier.

[@USGrant21st]

Next house I buy I will make sure there is a toilet in the middle of every room.😂

[@Crazychickenlady448]

@@USGrant21st on a pedestal to save your back! 😉

[@irisharizona4187]

This reminds me of that dream people have where they must use the toilet, but it’s in the middle of the living room and they’re hosting a party.

[@DouglasGross6022]

​@@irisharizona4187You have strange dreams.

[@johnnynbk]

Don't forget it's elevated too.

[@brandonhultgren5776]

Hi Team, I just changed my first toilet without any issue thanks to this video. Much appreciated! Love your show.

[@immortal_rs9347]

In the last 4 years did you find any issue?

[@Iamtheoverlander]

Good job guys, but I would just add that make sure that your wax seal is at room temperature before setting the toilet, don’t ever set a toilet on a cold wax ring, there’s a good chance you may not have the proper seal because the wax will crush being cold.

[@workingshlub8861]

1 minute under hot water takes care of that...i carry them in my van and do that winters.

[@robertmccabe2993]

Thats where the rubber one comes in handy

[@twstruzik]

We're doing a master bath remodel ourselves. We've just finished the new custom tile shower, and are now doing the floors, so the toilet needs to move. For some reason, this job is the most daunting! This vid helped tremendously.

[@EdgeOfGamingOfficial]

This is the second one for the basement bat. kzbin.infoUgkxOuLt8IL_GxhhaK8DBuKEL-zV0UJVpWZn , works great

[@RussellRoefer]

Where would I be without you guys. Thanks

[@842qwery]

I always wanted a Throne next to my workbench. Great idea!

[@tienattran9192]

Your videos is very helpful for me. My family planning to replace 2 toilet. Now it's seem we can do it by ourselves. Thank you so much!

[@Wolveblade]

I grew up watching this show. I trust them. Thank you for helping us everyday folk.

[@derekvore8012]

This video was a YUGE help! After a wild night of hot sauce chugging, one of the boys had to hurl, and ended up diving for the toilet so hard he broke the bowl with his face. I kicked him out of my house, but I had no idea what to do about the toilet. Thanks for posting.

[@Nobodyyodiggidy]

he broke a toilet with his face? he should be invited back now.

[@alethiaeden]

How is your boy doing?

[@allencohen7663]

Love your show, love the advice, even when I have done something many times before! I hate doing toilets, I’m not a plumber, but I always seem to be the plumber for family and friends! Thanks for all your great instructions and very useful advice.

[@lowslow3612]

Great instructional video. Only thing I would do differently is to tape some kind of precautionary sacrificial material like a thin piece of sheet metal to protect the toilet ceramic when sawing the bolts.

[@frankkolton1780]

I'm always astounded that when I replace or fix something like a toilet, appliance, or other item, that it actually works properly.

[@s.s.2875]

Lifetime watcher of This Old House! Love these quick tutorials - gives the confidence to get the job done with some tips right at hand. Thanks SO much!! Toilet installed!!

[@joshualewis7882]

It's MUCH easier and faster if you use a wet/dry vacuum in order to get the water out completely, even the bowl. Many homeowners have one of these. Long time plumber here in Maryland. A sponge and a turkey baster? Common' that just takes forever and is a time waster if you do this for a living. I install up to 6-8 toilets per week No joke. In addition, try the "FluidMaster SetFast" closet flange bolts. Under $7 per set. They are self adjusting and never need cutting or breaking off. Makes for a really quick installation of your new toilet. Just a little quick trick for you folks out there.

[@oldtwinsna8347]

How much to install a toilet?

[@oldtwinsna8347]

Richard is an expert in all toilet uses.

[@paulwoodall2377]

couldn't help but notice one of those bolts he was breaking off was still loose. it was moving around big time as he was trying o break it off.

[@masonpetrov2716]

Thats fairly normal. If you tighten the nuts to tight it will break out of the flange.

[@jessehaefele2289]

The bolts should be secured to the flanges not just with some little plastic washer

[@OCC_Plumbing_and_Restorations]

I drain the water out of the tank by unscrewing the fill valve and holding a bucket under the hole.

[@jsnxbskscnskcnskcjbzjzjbvd]

have you tried one of those new elastomer flange gaskets

[@plumbingstuffinoregon2471]

Hey it's you!

[@OCC_Plumbing_and_Restorations]

@@plumbingstuffinoregon2471 Hi

[@OCC_Plumbing_and_Restorations]

@@jsnxbskscnskcnskcjbzjzjbvd I think so. If I remember correctly, it didn't work very well.

[@charliep5139]

couple things: 1) usually you've to score (gently) around the toilet in order to break the seal of the caulk around the toilet base 2) use a large garden trash bag to put your old toilet on 3) like others have said, stuff a large old rag or shirt into the flange so sewer gas isn't coming up and it helps keeping you from accidentally dropping something down into the drain! 4) for the bolts, don't center them on the flange. Center them in your room. What he said is assuming the original plumb was nice enough to make sure the flange was center when they installed the toilet. 5) have the new wax ring at room temperature or so when you place it; I've heard of people leaving it in their car and it's cold outside and then place it and it leaks but it's not squishy enough. 6) if it's been awhile, probably not a bad idea to replace the supply line from the wall to the tank 7) if you're putt on a brand new toilet, make sure it'll fit. I put one in and with the baseboard and quarter round in the bathroom, it just barely fit into place 8) if you're not somewhat handy, I recommend hiring a plumber or make sure you have a second toilet in the house in case you run into an issue, like the flange is too low or something like that.

[@alfredoamadeo3599]

You can also use a wet vac to empty tank and bowl

[@BostonCityGirl]

This was so easy to do! Thank you so much, we were able to do this in under 30 minutes!

[@taffyroosevelt7809]

Definitely gonna impress my Mom with this new skill.....

[@juliakendrick6920]

This made me feel a lot better about changing my toilet. All I need is someone to help me get it up the stairs.

[@dellapearl]

Julia Kendrick Ha ha! I’m in the same boat - living on the 2nd floor. My sister recently had her toilet replaced. $380! And that’s with the senior discount! 😡

[@aguilas22able]

Simple demonstration goes a long way. Good job guys!

[@ahdon3]

great explanation about the flange and nuts , other videos are rushing up this part.. Now i am ready to replace my slow flushing toilet!

[@tristaferencik746]

AWESOME video! Thanks so much for this! Clear, concise, simple, just what I needed.

[@timeslot09]

How about a wet/dry shop vac for getting water out?

[@Redstrx]

Hold a bucket under where the cold feed enters the cistern and just undo the nut, that's a quick way to get the water out. Or, use a wet and dry vac to get rid of the excess water in the cistern.

[@Iburn247]

Yeah i use a wet vac. I'm not sticking my hands in someone's toilet water to sponge it out😂😂😂

[@edsmearman1879]

Use a shop vac or hose from carpet cleaner to get water from tank and bowl....much faster

[@ScubaCat3]

Those rubber funnel waxes will fail and also cause the toilet to not sit level. Use the wax only.

[@pietrosammarco6225]

three you go, you now have a toilet in the middle of your work shed

[@jimdavidson5208]

I know that was a tv show prop toilet. Those floor closet bolts were loose as a goose mamma.

[@Nill757]

Age old question: caulk around the toilet - floor, or no? No caulk done here. Also old houses often see un-level floors, requiring shims to stop the toilet from rocking.

[@twopumpsandimdone309]

No

[@Mixwell1983]

Moved from LA to TN in 2021 and the new house had the shorter small round bowls and I said F that. I bought 3 toilets for the house and the main ones used are downstairs and the upstairs hallway so i did those back to back and a year later ive yet to install the master bedroom toilet. I need to just get it done.

[@brobidart]

Awesome! ***feeling super confident*** so here goes - I’ll post a follow up here in a bit :)

[@Habilio1]

best and easy one so far

[@brotherjoeradosti]

The narrow slot for the closet bolts should be at 9 o'clock and at 3 o'clock, correct?

[@waynegranzin3824]

still havent seen ANY video on youtube talking about how best to remove hardened wax from the underside of the toilet

[@HikingTheSonora]

Can't get enough of these two together hahahahhaha 1:25

[@Bobherry]

I just had to do this last weekend.

[@nicholasradunz2458]

This was very helpful. Good job!

[@peng2732]

I would use that gell stuff called water lock or if you can’t find it in hardware stores floral water beads also known as orbez but from a craft store there less expensive

[@ImTheJoker4u]

I recently replaced the 1950's toilet in my house. They reused it when they remodeled and caulked it to the tile floor, so when i pulled it up it took about 40 little tiles up with it, which made a 30 minute toilet swap, into a two day ordeal. Unless your bathroom regularly FLOODS, there is no reason to caulk it to the freakin floor!!!! Fer frigs sakes!!

[@colbalt95]

John Ulicky yeah I'm about to replace my toilet right now and I see like crap load of caulking underneath the old toilet. Figured the same thing was going to happen so pray for me LOL

[@ImTheJoker4u]

colbalt95 I did try to slice around it, but I guess I didn't go deep enough. If I had to do it again, I would use a longer blade obviously. PRO TIP: Make sure you're all the way thru the caulk, all the way around, especially if you have a mosaic tile floor. Trying to glue, space, distribute, and then grout all those 1" tiles is a SERIOUS buzz kill!!

[@volundrfrey896]

It's not uncommon to put a silicon bead around it. If that takes your tiles up with it then your tiles are loose and you have potentially a serious problem. If they actually caulked it to the floor then yes that's unnecessary even if you expect a lot of water on the floor.

[@Muscleupsanddangles]

I own rentals, I caulk. Renters don't give a rats ass and leave standing water everywhere, and you would think they have wrestling matches on the toilets the way they work them loose from the flange. If you own rentals, caulk. Trust me...

[@plumbingstuffinoregon2471]

I would've just left the old toilet, unless there was something seriously wrong with it.

[@carolinew.8835]

Great job just remember to put a rag in the hole so fumes don’t come up!

[@stephensnell1379]

The actual word is Sewer Gas This video only showed how the wax ring should be replaced

[@bcumike]

Ever wondered if you would get more views if you went with skipable, or 5 second commercials at the beginning of the video? The 15 second commercials just make me pick another video

[@carlton_k]

Very easy, thank you

[@jethro9341]

Did you see the closet bolt wiggle when he snapped of the excess? You dont want that. And dont wiggle or rock the toilet when installing it.

[@stephp8761]

I'm needing to replace an upstairs toilet and it's the original toilet... my house is 50yrs old... the water line from the wall to the toilet is straight line and not the flexiable tubing/pipe.... would it be difficult to change this out... just wondering if so, maybe I should let a plumber handle it? 🤷‍♀️ I've changed a toilet out before and found it pretty easy, just wondering about how complex that line would be. Thanks

[@jamesfirst100]

Much faster with a shopvac to get all the water out.

[@jashimuddin7716]

Thank you very much very helpful

[@juniorespinal3319]

Goooood!! Explination, very educative vídeo

[@bukhosikhumalo1296]

This guy is good

[@sasbigby3]

How do I fix loose kholer toilet lid? Its not the screws under caps that connect to bowl. Whole lid is loose in back near those screw. Whole seat wiggles. Help

[@Mojo27564]

Thanks job made easy!!

[@420bars]

So much goddamn hate from the professionals, this information video was great pointing out what's necessary for basic toilet replacement. Assuming that you're not working on a piece of s*** house where everything is rotted. Honestly it was perfect for me , never changed a toilet in my life till now, thanks to this video.

[@janetgray9685]

does that mean that you are not a pro? let me hear the pros thank you.

[@chevyhawk406]

What's the difference in using a wax or rubber ring?

[@Omrentonth999]

I want to consider plumbing or welding career but still undecided

[@john12334]

Nicely done

[@rodmakermagazine7117]

Is there an easy to way to get all the old wax off the flange>

[@japan-e9j]

Excellent job

[@aw9nineteen]

Do I need to replace the wax if the toilet is brand new and only a week or so old? We are moving into a new home and I need to take the toilet off for a tile install right after settlement.

[@SpadeAce]

An oscillating tool would work much better than the hacksaw.

[@josephchristison7972]

Right now trying to put one in lol

[@ffggxfhhvgffhgdtygxyggeyhgfhfg]

5:32 look at that bolt the whole thing wiggles it isn't even tight lol

[@LakshayGrover]

Great video, where do homeowners dispose off the old toilet? I'm pretty sure trash truck won't take it. Thanks.

[@cjc793]

Lakshay Grover just flush it down the new toilet.

[@pkania2011]

Great video !

[@nickerrico6044]

I'm about to put a new toilet in my new, old house. The existing toilet has four (4) bolts coming up from floor. Not the usual two closet bolts. What should I expect to find when I take the toilet off? My new toilet only has the usual two bolts.

[@garywalker1946]

adapter ring to install

[@pcking2008]

I am convinced now that replacing the entire toilet/tank system is easier than trying to find a SASA 411 Tank that was made in Mexico. I can't find a replacement tank anywhere. I live in a 100yr old home, who knows how old this tank is? probably discontinued item. Big sighs. Last night I bought a brand new Dewalt reciprocating saw to cut off the rusted tank bolts $$$ found out the leak was coming from a "cracked tank" and not a worn gasket. drip, drip into an old coffee can until I purchase a new one, I am researching. If anyone is familiar with SASA 411 tank please do chime in. Angel from The Bay

[@Iburn247]

Use a wet vac to empty the last of the water out. Not your bare hands and a sponge.

[@stephensnell1379]

There is always plenty of soap and water around

[@MetalMusicManiac]

If someone does a number 2 make sure it's flushed before unbolting from the flange

[@ericlogos9568]

Spread that on a bagel. Yum.

[@candeffect]

Are you implying I shouldn't?

[@BrianT2247]

Hemp , Lead .... Things are so much easier in Australia . The hardest thing is sitting the new pan on cement pad. Cast iron .... really ,

[@Jesse-gv9tf]

do you caulk around the toilet?

[@jbratt]

Seems like I never get to work on those elevated toilets.

[@desnowboarder]

Show how to choose the correct size wax ring. What if you want to change the toilet how do you know the new one will fit.

[@ScubaCat3]

drew money they're all the same

[@workingshlub8861]

wax ring diameters are all universal..you will know what thickness you need once you pull up toilet.

[@interceptor90ify]

Use plunger for bowel

[@441999jack]

How do you get those bolts off if they are rusted out and the bolt and nut turns?

[@Iburn247]

They have an end that's skinny length wise and fat on the width. So spinning those bolts until the fat side lines up with the long part of hole. They should pop out

[@williamhiggins2838]

Way too much wax and that deep horn will cause splash erosion, yes I know this from replacing them for over 35 years

[@ajc5869]

So easy and fun until you find that your flange is ✨cracked✨

[@MsUltrafox]

Removing a brand new nut and he is hoping it was not rusted tight???????? But folks if you want to change your toilet wear some good gloves just to keep your hands clean. Also get some heavy duty air refresher because the drain will smell bad. Jamming a large WET cloth in the drain hole for the time between removing the old and placing the new will save your nose.

[@taemian]

Exactly. That's why they are the world's last superpower.

[@GeorgiaDawgAthens]

+Fredirik Please excuse the ill-mannered, ignorant comment by my (unfortunately) fellow American, taemian, who doesn't know how to insert a comment for/to the correct source. You are absolutely correct in your comment. I witnessed, in 1972, a French family living in Paris, with whom I had the pleasure of being invited to live with them, a system of faucets where above each faucet existed a rectangular box which ignited, internally from natural gas, to heat the water when the hot water faucet was turned on. The loss of precious drinking water was minimal at worst and almost non-existent at best. Here in the boisterous, ignorant, bellicose behavior of the worst of American citizenry of good, ol' 'Murica, we turn on our taps for hot water and have to wait, ... and wait, ...and wait, all the while wasting precious (hot) drinking water to purge the cold water from the long line(s) of pipes, waiting, ... and waiting, ... and waiting, ... until the hot (tepid at first) water begins to emerge from our faucets. Can you imagine how many gallons/liters of precious drinking water is wasted just for us to obtain hot water each and every day for meals/hand-washings/baths and showers?! Millions of American families waste millions of precious gallons/liters of water every day! And yet, we have boneheads like "taemian" brag about our super power status ... ignoring the fact that we are trillions, and trillions of dollars in debt! What is that debt today, 22-trillions? That would be $22,000, 000, 000,000.00 of debt and the American Nazi-Republican Party is adding much, much more to that figure. These are Trump-idiots dictating the demise of a once, great, benevolent (okay, we had some faults) nation which had, in its heart, the desire to do good things around the world. Now, we have Trump-idiots (and the neo-conservatives of the Bush-the-junior era) spewing their unfounded hate and discontent throughout our once great nation and the world. This is the predicament we, knowledgeable Americans, find ourselves, in the United States of American at this time. Ignorant, stupid, hateful (*white-skinned) people spewing ignorance and hate within our nation; they are so easily manipulated and controlled. Europe, to include the Scandinavian countries, is light-years ahead of the U.S. Keep in mind that we, Americans, live in a cocoon. We do not have neighboring countries in the quantities and differences those of you have in the Old Country(ies) have. You have greater incentives to cooperate and to solve your problems together. We, the U.S., lack those incentives; we are, pretty much, left to our own devices. I ask for your understanding ... //signed// A Good American. *I am classified as white, Caucasian in a single word. My family, on my sperm-donor's side, originated from England in the late 19th Century.

[@rockyethridge7272]

What someone does a Upper Decker in your toilet??? What do ya do???

[@moosestubbings1853]

An upper deck is when a drunk friend poops in the upper water tank😂

[@BiggyOuncy69]

Or use a shop vac to empty the tank and bowl

[@stephensnell1379]

Not every person owns one of those in the states

[@seededsoul]

I thought this was “How to make a Pancake” from the thumbnail.

[@micheallancton8984]

Wow I'm 16 and just learned how to replace a toilet.

[@mattd916]

You forgot to caulk the floor?

[@zachb8012]

You said it Rich, I can't stand when people get the tank confused with the bowl and leave a big ol' turd floating in the upper deck of my toilet. Sorry, I mean the, "tank".

[@strivetowardslove3128]

I believe I saw an old episode of "This Old House" a long time ago, in which he had to remove a toilet and placed a cap over the hole to prevent the sewer gas from coming up. With this thought, I tried to have an old toilet removed, because it was emitting sewer gas. AFTER the guy finished removing the toilet, he stuffed a T-shirt in the hole and said that's all he can do. Is this really acceptable standard practice for certified plumbers !? It just so happens that I know how to remove a toilet by myself, but I just don't know how to close up the hole. I feel like we just wasted money on a half job.... I can't find the episode where the cap thing was, so I don't even know how to buy it or install it. In the meantime, I've been living for years with the sewage smell obviously coming up through the shirt. Any help would be appreciated from all experienced people with this problem! If you know what episode of the show I'm talking about, it would help if you let me know that as well; I can't figure out how to search for it in the sea of episodes.

[@carltongoss759]

What you need is a Cherne plug, 3” or 4” depending on the pipe size that you have.

[@strivetowardslove3128]

@@carltongoss759 Thank you so much! Have a wonderful and blessed day! I'm really looking forward to being sewer gas free!

[@izandevainmyheart1129]

I don't like the way that bolt moved while breaking off thr saw cut excess.

[@meelo4597]

Nice, i dropped my toilet on its side cracking it into a million pieces then i opened my shut off valve too fast breaking my water lines and now I’m blind.

[@stephensnell1379]

Your own fault that is

[@mubd1234]

I find it interesting that even though this toilet was clearly installed for the purposes of the demonstration, the closet bolts still appear to be coated in a thin film of piss + poop residue.

[@superiorsoundandvoice6288]

Uh, wet dry vac? Tom Silva is not happy. :)

[@davidbrooks1118]

Video didn’t talk about rough in measurements??? Aren’t u supposed to start with that?

[@flatearthcrypto6991]

guess no one thought to use shop vac to empty water hahahaha. a sponge 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jamiehoover9348]

They did also use a turkey baster! 😯😆😆😆😆🤭

[@nachonachoman7774]

Use a shop vac way faster

[@stephensnell1379]

They will do it how they want

[@TheHavocdog]

My Thanksgiving turkey will never taste the same

[@plumbob6399]

easy guide www.plumbingmafia.net/do-it-yourself-diy