A leaking, broken or old toilet is a lot of hassle, and you don't have to call someone to remove it. By following these step-by-step instructions, you can easily do it yourself.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Removing the Toilet
Step 1. Get rid of the water
Start by shutting off the water supply valve. Then flush the toilet to remove all the water from the cistern and bowl. Disconnect both ends of the water supply hose at the stop valve and at the reservoir.
Make sure the bowl and cistern are as dry as possible before removing the toilet, so use a sponge to soak up any remaining water after flushing
Step 2. Remove the flush tank
Using a wrench, unscrew the nuts on the mounting bolts that secure the tank to the bowl. There will be one bolt on each side of the tank, and another bolt in the middle. Lift the cistern carefully off the bowl.
When you remove the cistern, move it out of the bathroom or set it aside so it doesn't get in the way under your feet
Step 3. Unscrew the floor bolts
Remove the rivets from the floor bolts. Use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the bolts from the floor.
If you are unable to loosen the bolts, try oiling them. If you still can't unscrew them, then you will have to cut them with a hacksaw
Step 4. Break the seal
There is a wax O-ring under the toilet that secures the bottom of the toilet to the end of the sewer pipe (also called a toilet flange). Grasp the bowl with your hands and move it from side to side in order to break the ring. Then raise the bowl and set it aside on its side.
Step 5. Do a little cleaning
Take a putty knife and scrape the old o-ring from the flange and from the bottom of the toilet. Discard the old wax in a bucket in a plastic bag. Clean the flange with a stiff wire brush.
Step 6. Seal the hole
Stick a rag into the toilet flange / sewer pipe to prevent sewer gases from entering the bathroom. Place an inverted bucket on top of the rag.
Method 2 of 3: Choosing a new toilet
Step 1. Check the flush performance
Manufacturers may request that their toilet models be tested by a dedicated Maximum Efficiency Panel (MaP), which is responsible for verifying the flush performance. The database of this group contains about 2,500 toilets that have been voluntarily tested. Go to the website to view the flush performance of the toilet models you are considering purchasing.
- MaP has set the minimum permissible level of faeces flushing at 350 grams per flush. The same minimum was set by the EPA's WaterSense Program for their cistern toilets.
- Since participation in this program is voluntary, in this database you will not find information about absolutely all toilets.
Step 2. Decide if you want to buy a high performance toilet
A high-performance toilet is a toilet that uses 4.8 liters of water in one flush. Since the toilet consumes about a third of your water consumption, these toilets can be a great way to save on your water bills. On the other hand, some models may have problems with corrosion and clogging of the toilet bowl.
- Check with the water utility company if they are offering a discount or some kind of financial incentive to install a high-performance toilet.
- High-efficiency toilets are recognized and labeled EPA's WaterSense, indicating that they are on par or better than their less efficient counterparts, and that they consume 20% less water than a conventional model of the same categories.
Step 3. Learn about siphon flush toilets
These toilets use a separate pressurized water tank. When you flush, this water is released at a high speed and removes faeces much better. These toilets are more expensive and noisy than regular models and can be a hassle if you need spare parts to repair them.
Step 4. Think about the need for comfort
The standard bowl height is about 40 centimeters, but you can buy a toilet with a bowl height between 45-50 centimeters. These toilets are more back and knee comfortable and are suitable for older and taller people. Their extra height translates into a higher price tag (RUB 1,850-3700), and small children and shorter adults may find it difficult to use.
Step 5. Cistern with a double flush button
Dual flush toilets come in both siphon and gravity flush. They use 25% less water. They cost several thousand rubles more, but you will save more money in the long run. They are only available in a limited number of colors and style variations.
Method 3 of 3: Repairing the toilet
Step 1. Fix the slow toilet
Just because your toilet is slowly draining doesn't mean you have to replace it. There are several things you can do to enhance the slow flush.
Step 2. Repair the leaking toilet bowl
A toilet tank can leak for several different reasons. Find out a little about it to see if you can fix it.
Step 3. Fix a leaking toilet
If you're considering replacing your toilet just because the water doesn't stop flowing, there are a few things you can do to fix the problem.
Step 4. Repair the leaking o-ring
If there is a puddle of water at the base and no water is flowing from the tank, then your toilet is fine, the problem is that you have to replace the O-ring.