article

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.

Know what you should pay for your home improvement projects with bluehammer.Claim your home. It's free!

Popular


Best New Security Tips To Keep Your Home Safe While You're On Vacation

Nothing kills your vacation buzz like getting a call from the police back home letting you know your home has been burglarized. Basic home security tips are great, but safety measures are continually evolving, with new and more refined ways to keep you and your home safe.

Tips For Selecting An Interior Door

Take a minute to count the number of doors in your house. Surprising, right? Consider then, the impact that a little attention to the doors can have on the overall style and design of your home. Whether you're just moving in or staging for a sale, new doors are a simple way to dramatically update the space. The good news is that there are as many styles of doors as there are doors in your home. Making the decision is the toughest part.

7 Tricks Hotels Use That Can Make Your Home Look and Work Better

Looking to breathe some life into your house? Maybe all you need is a vacation. A hotel stay is great for a lot of reasons - as a romantic getaway, an opportunity to see the world or explore new places, a break from work or kids - but taking a good look at your surroundings can also give you great ideas for refreshing your space when you get back home.

Replacing Your Kitchen Range

With both an oven and a cooktop, the range is the centerpiece for cooking in the Kitchen.

Replacing Your Kitchen Refrigerator

Refrigerators are the most important appliance in the Kitchen.

Clever Ways To Create More Storage In Your Kitchen

Who doesn't need more storage in the kitchen? You may not have a massive space with dozens of cabinets and yards of countertops, but that doesn't mean you don't have the space you need to store all your stuff. Use a few of these clever tricks and you might be surprised how much extra room you can create.

A Homeowner's Guide To Water Filtration

Is a home water treatment system a luxury or a necessity? Based on surveys commissioned by the Water Quality Association (an industry trade group), people who viewed water treatment as a luxury rose from 50 to 54 percent between 2013 and 2015.

Maintaining Your Hot Water Heater

Water heaters generally have a lifespan of 8-12 years, but as with anything, the better care you take of it, the longer it will last. There are several easy "set it and forget it" tips that you can use with your water heater, like keeping the thermostat at 120 degrees, and always maintain two feet of clearance around the appliance. You can also conserve money on your gas bill by setting your heater to its "vacation" setting when leaving town. This will keep the pilot light going without heating the water.

Renovations to Make Aging at Home Easier

As you or your loved one ages, your home may need to be adapted to accommodate lifestyle changes, accessibility and independence. Over 41% of individuals plan to stay in their own homes until the age of 81 or older. It is important to make gradual adaptations to your home as you age to allow for maneuverability. When remodeling to age at home, start early and plan ahead. It is cheaper to do small renovations one at a time than an entire home overhaul overnight.

7 Model Home Ideas To Steal For Your Home

You don't have to be in the market for a new home to tour model homes. In fact, model home complexes are a great place to get a few ideas for your existing home. Whether you're looking for ideas to renovate your kitchen and want to see the most current trends, are having a hard time deciding on paint colors and want to see how others are incorporating color into the home, or are simply looking for a little inspiration, you can find it here.

See More Articles