Putting In A New Unit

Getting your new porcelain throne on the floor

There is something IKEAesque about even the most old-fashioned of new toilets: i.e., they come with all the parts and little bits needed for assembly included. Once you have removed your old toilet, you’ll probably be anxious to get the new unit in place. So let’s get started.

First, you have to check to see if the mounting bolts on the floor from the old toilet line up with your new toilet. If not, you’ll have to install new mounting bolts to the floor.

Next, put down an old blanket or rug on the floor and set the new toilet bowl upside down on top of it. Take some of your toilet bowl setting compound and put a nice, even layer of about 1/8thof an inch around the bowl’s pedestal. Also put the wax ring around the bowl’s waste pipe opening.

If you stuffed a rag into the waste opening when removing the old toilet, remove it now. Next, lift up the towel bowl and place it carefully over the waste outlet opening. Ensure that all of the mounting bolts pass through the bolt holes and the waste opening lines up with the waste pipe. To make sure everything is firmly in place, use your body weight to press down each side at the centre of the bowl. This will imbed the bowl evenly into the compound.

Next, put washers and nuts on the mounting bolts. Tighten them up with your fingers, as too much pressure will crack the porcelain. The bowl should be sturdy and not rock once the bolts are sufficiently tightened.

Now use a spatula or putty knife to trim away any excess setting compound that got squeezed out from under the base when you were putting your weight on it. Then put bolt covers over the nuts.

Next, pour some water in the bowl to prevent sewer gases from escaping. Then screw on your toilet seat.

Now comes the toilet tank. Place a big washer onto the threaded tank outlet and put the tank onto the toilet so that the holes line up with the two bolts that come with it. Use your fingers to tighten the bolts.

Next, connect the water line with the tank and install the ball-cock assembly. After you have turned your water back on, ensure the bowl’s water level comes up to the water line inside. Finally, check around the toilet for leaks.