How to Remove a Toilet

Whether you are replacing your flooring or upgrading your toilet, you may at some point need to remove your current toilet. Here is a step by step guide provided by Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Charlotte to help you through the process.

Tools you will need:

• A bucket

• Screwdriver set

• Paint scraper

• Wrenches

• Cleaning rags

Step 1: Disconnecting the Toilet Connector

The first step when removing a toilet is to drain the water from your toilet.

• Find the shut-off valve to turn off the water supply. The shut-off valve is usually behind the toilet on the wall or, sometimes, on the floor.

• Once the water supply is turned off, flush the toilet multiple times to drain all the water from the tank and the bowl.

• You can either wait for the tank and bowl to dry or you can dry them yourself to speed up the process.

• Place a bucket or towel under the toilet connector tube at the shut-off valve. Disconnect the toilet connector (the bucket or towel will catch any extra water from the line).

• Also disconnect the toilet connector tube from the toilet tank.

Step 2: Removing the Toilet Tank

If you have a one-piece toilet, you can skip this step. If you have a two-piece toilet, you will need to remove the toilet tank next.

• There are two or three mounting bolts that hold the tank to the bowl. Use a basin wrench or ratchet wrench to remove the mounting bolts.

• Carefully lift the tank from the bowl and place it safely out of the way.

Step 3: Unbolting the Toilet Bowl from the Floor

The bolts are located on either side of the bowl and hold the toilet to the floor. They are often covered by trim caps. You may need to remove the trim caps to see the bolts.

• Remove the floor bolts from the ground. Some floor bolts can be unscrewed by hand, but some may require an adjustable wrench.

• If the bolts aren’t coming out easily, you can spray them with penetrating oil to make it easier.

• If that still doesn’t help get the bolts up, you may have to use a nut splitter or hacksaw.

Step 4: Removing the Toilet Wax Ring

The toilet wax ring seals the toilet flange on the floor to the bottom of the toilet bowl. The seal needs to be broken in order to remove the toilet.

• Gently rock the toilet bowl side to side until the seal is broken.

• Carefully lift the bowl from the floor and move it out of the way. When lifting, make sure to use your legs. Don’t lift with your back or you could injure yourself.

• Scrape away the old wax ring from the toilet flange with a paint scraper. Throw away the old wax ring in a plastic bag.

Step 5: Covering the Flange and Drain Hole

• Check to make sure the toilet flange is in good condition and not damaged. If it is, you should replace it.

• Stuff a rag into the drain hole to prevent sewer gas from entering your home.

• Then place an upside down bucket over the toilet flange to keep it protected.

If you run into issues or complications, contact the expert Charlotte plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing at (704) 842-9508.