How to fit a toilet

Everyone needs one but they can be quite tricky to install. Here's our guide to fitting a toilet.

Level of difficulty

Level 3: Advanced

What you need

  • Stop ends
  • Saw
  • Pipe wrench
  • Chisel
  • Wax ring
  • Hold-down bolts
  • Rubber spud washer
  • Mounting bolts
  • Toilet seats 

The steps to follow

1. To remove an old toilet:
a. Turn off the stopcock.
b. Empty the cistern.
c. Saw through the existing water supply pipe near the cistern and block the pipe with stop ends.
d. Saw through the water supply pipe that leads to the flush button, or undo with a pipe wrench.
e. Undo the bolts holding the cistern and remove it. Take special care when lifting the cistern.
f. Remove any screws that are holding the toilet bowl to the floor.
g. If it's cemented to the floor, use a chisel to drive through the base to loosen it.

2. To install a new toilet:
a. Clean the area around the toilet flange. If you're redecorating, now is the best time to do the painting behind the toilet and change the floor.
b. Inspect the toilet flange; make sure that it is in good condition. It should normally protrude 1 cm (½ in) from the floor.
c. Apply new wax ring on the toilet flange and place the new toilet bowl over it. Press hard on the toilet bowl so that the wax ring becomes a sealant.
d. Thread new toilet hold-down bolts into the toilet bowl and flange.

3. Installing the cistern:
a. Lay rubber spud washer on the flush valve opening at the bottom of the cistern. Set the rubber tank cushion on the bowl. Lower the cistern on the back of the bowl.
b. Screw mounting bolts from inside the cistern.
c. Place two rubber washers between the cistern and bowl.
d. Tighten the nuts until snug.
e. Connect the water supply line to the base of the cistern and turn on the water. Check if there are any leaks.
f. Secure the bowl by turning the hold-down bolts once more, cut off the ends of the bolt and put the bolt caps on.

4. Flush the toilet to check for leaks.
5. Clean up the area around the bowl and caulk it.
6. Install the toilet seat.
 

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