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Replacing Your Toilet

By Bluehammer Admin

The work horse of the bathroom, the toilet is the most used appliance. The following are some helpful tips when it comes time to replace your toilet.

When is it Time to Replace my Toilet?

Unlike electric appliances, toilets do not have many moving parts to break and most are made out of porcelain, a durable material. Many people choose to replace their toilets for other reasons such as looks or to switch to a water saving model.

Cost Factors of Replacing Your Toilet

The biggest factor in the project cost of replacing your toilet is the cost of the appliance itself. Toilets come in many quality options from economy to designer. Below are the main cost factors in the project of replacing your toilet.

  • Removal of the old toilet
  • Purchase, delivery and installation of the new toilet
  • Replacing the assembly and toilet seat
  • Replacing water supply lines and angle stop (if necessary)

Should I Replace My Toilet or Try to Repair it?

Unless you have visible cracks, toilet issues are usually fixable depending on how willing you are to troubleshoot. Most toilet types are gravity-fed and you can replace the entire refill-valve (ball-cock assembly) in under 30 minutes. If you have a pressure assisted toilet it is a longer process and you might want to look into hiring a plumber if you are unsure about doing it yourself.

Replacing Your Gravity-Fed Toilet

Follow the steps below to replace your toilet

  • Turn off the waterYou don't need to turn your water off at the main source when replacing your toilet. You can simply turn off the water at the angle stop from the wall behind your toilet.
  • Remove the refill tube from the overflow pipe in the tank. Remove the lid from the tank to get to the refill tube. Once removed, drain the water from the tank (a shop vac can help here if you have one). It is good to have some towels on hand when draining the water.
  • Disconnect the water supply line and flapper chainThis will disconnect everything from your tank
  • Remove the toilet from the floor.Your toilet is bolted to the floor, remove the caps over the bolts and unscrew the nuts with a wrench. Remove the toilet carefully as to not scrape your floor. When finished, remove the wax ring and clean the area.
  • Install the wax ring on the new toilet and re-assemble the new components.Follow the steps in reverse to install your new toilet. Make sure it is level before you screw it to the ground.
  • Re-attach your water lines, turn on the water and testMake sure there is no water leaking and test the appliance for operation.

Want to estimate your home improvement costs before talking with a contractor? Claim your home for free with bluehammer to estimate costs, secure your home inventory and learn more about your home.

* THIS REPORT IS AN OPINION THAT MAY BE INACCURATE AND IS PROVIDED SOLELY AS AN INFORMATIONAL TOOL NOT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DEFINITIVE ANSWERS. ALL ELEMENTS ARE OFFERED “AS IS” AND BLUEBOOK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, AND GUARANTEES OF ANY NATURE, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABLITILY, NONINFRINGEMENT, TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, ACCURACY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL BLUEBOOK (OR THEIR SUPPLIERS) BE LIABLE FOR ANY GENERAL, DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE RESULTING FROM USE OF THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING : (1) RELIANCE ON THE MATERIALS PRESENTED, (2) COSTS OF REPLACEMENT GOODS, (3) LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, (4) DELAYS OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS, (5) AND ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION) WHETHER OR NOT BLUEBOOK HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

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