Replacing a Toilet - A First Time Replacement Experience

Replacing your existing toilets with newer, watervideos and that gave me a good impression of what
saving toilets is a smart move. Besides the actualto expect. Every handyman or plumber did a few
water savings you might also bank some moneythings different and so it was helpful to see the
from a government rebate program or a rebatedifferent approaches. It definitely helped me to make
program of your local water utility. Before replacing athe right steps when replacing the first toilet.
toilet and hoping for a rebate you need to checkAfter having the first toilet out and the bathroom
what rebates are available at all and which toilets areprepped for the new toilet, I ripped out the second
covered to receive a rebate. You can usually retrievetoilet next. I am glad I did because the experience
this information through the different websites.was different. Whoever had installed that toilet had
I just started replacing the toilets in my own home. Ibroken the wax ring back then and part of drainage
bought 2 toilets before December 31, 2009 due takepipe was clocked. So, I spent some time cleaning up
advantage of a $75.00 rebate from my local waterthe mess and I was glad I had protective gloves for
provider. My old toilets were using more than 3.5 gal.sure. It's a very yucky job and I spare you the
per flush - an immense amount of water if you askdetails. I also had to use a hex saw to remove one
me. The new toilets use only 1.28 gal. of water andof the screws that was holding the bowl as when
they are a little higher compared to the old onesthe screw was sawed off back then, they really
which makes for a more comfortable seat. Today Imessed up and it was impossible to remove the nut.
ripped out the first toilet and it was an interestingI then installed the first toilet. First I had the wax ring
experience. The house I live in is from 1992 and so Ion the toilet itself, but then I found it easier to
was not sure if everything back then was doneactually place the wax ring on the flange and to
following current standards. It turned out everythinglower the toilet down onto it. Everything worked out
was good. The most work I had was to remove theOk and after a while the toilet was ready for usage.
caulking from the tiles. Whoever put in those toiletsIf you plan on replacing a toilet, give yourself enough
when the house was built use a lot of caulking andtime. You never know how it looks underneath the
after 18 years this stuff still stuck like glue to theold toilet and you might lose more time than expect.
tiles. It was so strong, it even ripped out a piece ofI also had to replace the water valves for the water
China from the old toilet. I am glad the old toiled lostsupply as they were not closing properly anymore
that piece and that all my tiles stayed intact.and water was still running through. Preparation is
I had never removed a toilet before and so I spendeverything and in the end I have to say it was not
some time on to watch some videos about how toas difficult as expected.
remove a toilet. I think I watched about 6 or 7