Moving your toilet is a big job but not a difficult one.
In this article, we will explore the toilet moving process step-by-step and supply you with a list of tools and materials that will make your journey from Point A to Point B a little bit easier.
Let's get right into it.
Follow these steps to move your toilet
Step 1. Turn off the water
This is a crucial first step because you don't want to be moving your toilet and then realize you forgot to turn off the water. You don't need a plumber to do this, just head down into your basement or crawl space and find the shutoff valve for your toilet.
Step 2: Unscrew the base
There are two types of bases used on toilets these days – one is called a tank-to-bowl gasket assembly (it uses plastic ring seals rather than rubber ones), and the other is called an “Ace” type (which features a wax seal around the entire base). If you're not sure which kind you have, get it checked out by your local hardware store before trying to unscrew the base.
The Ace type is held in place by screws or bolts underneath the toilet. These are small, black, and usually covered with wax or dirt, so they can be difficult to spot. Use a flexible magnet (a piece of steel held onto the end of a stick) to help you find them because they won't bend out of shape easily.
Once you've located the screws holding your base in place, remove them and lift off the old toilet base – this may require using a pry bar (to get under the base if there is not enough room between it and the flooring).
Step 3: Set up your new toilet base on top of your existing floor flange
Install your new base just like you removed its predecessor. After using a pipe wrench or adjustable pliers to reattach the water supply, you can now install the tank and seat assembly (the kit comes with new bolts, washers, nuts, and a wax ring. If it does not, you will need to buy them separately at your local hardware store
Step 4: Connecting the toilet's supply lines
Connecting your toilet's water supply lines consists of fitting one pipe onto one end of a four-way joint and then pushing that joint into your water supply line on top of your floor flange. Secure it with a cinch clamp or two. To connect the other half of the four-way joint to another section of piping, you'll do this in the same way – except there is no cinch clamp needed because you can't push the joint all the way through.
To connect your toilet's drain pipe to your waste line, you'll use a three-piece slip joint. Using another cinch clamp or two, secure it onto the end of one section of pipe and then feed it through your new base plate up into the floor flange underneath – which is where you will have placed a wax ring earlier in Step 2.
Step 5: Flushing for the first time.
Unless you want to spill water everywhere while flushing your toilet for the first time, do not try it until everything has been tested. Once you're sure everything is hooked up correctly, turn on your water supply and flush the toilet a few times to check for leaks. If anywhere gets wet, tighten that joint or cinch up the clamps – then shut off the water supply again and test it until there are no leaks.
And now your toilet has been successfully relocated. The most difficult part of this entire process was probably dealing with all that dirt and grime, but don't worry about cleaning it up just yet because it's time to celebrate with a hot shower or a cold beverage.
Where should I place the new toilet?
In a perfect world, you would have planned for where the new toilet is going to go and there would be no need to move it. Unfortunately, real-life often has other plans and there may come a time when you find yourself in need of relocating your toilet. Depending on the size of the area that needs to be renovated, this could require re-routing water supply pipes as well as moving or replacing electrical wiring. If you are unsure about your ability to complete these tasks yourself, call a licensed electrician or professional plumber.
Should the floor be level or sloped for proper toilet flushing?
Toilets designed for a residential environment do not need to be positioned on a sloped floor. Most use gravity to function properly, so if your floors are close to level then you're all set. However, this doesn't mean the plumbing should be installed with uphill and downhill piping sections.
If my toilet does not have a tank, how can I install one?
Some toilets have their tanks attached directly underneath the bowl, or they may be integrated into the base. If your toilet does not already come with a tank, you can purchase one to install after moving it or at a later date. However, if you are looking for advice on how to move a toilet without a tank, there is no easy way to do it and we would recommend hiring professional help instead of trying to tackle this project yourself.
Tanks hold water which adds weight and that increases the likelihood of them breaking during transit. The best thing to do is make sure you know exactly where your new bathroom will go before purchasing any additional items so you can buy them at the same time as your new toilet.
How long should I expect my toilet to last?
Some toilets, including the best Toto toilets, last for a long time. The average lifespan for toilets is between 7 and 20 years. Most problems involving the toilet are caused by neglect, carelessness, or improper installation.
What toilet parts cause the most problems?
The most powerful toilets can flush the smallest tiniest piece of toilet paper, but unfortunately, they can experience leaks after a simple repair. No matter what brand you have or how much money you paid for it, leaking is never acceptable. Chances are some of the parts can be fixed by doing it yourself. If not you should consider hiring a professional plumber with experience in fixing specific brands of toilets
What is involved in installing a new toilet?
Moving a toilet requires disassembly and re-installation. But before you start taking it apart, make sure the water supply is turned off at both the shutoff valves on either side of the toilet as well as underneath it. You may need to use pliers to turn them because they might be stiff from corrosion or lack of use. Depending on where your new bathroom is going to be located, you may also have to modify some piping for everything to fit correctly and function properly.
Final thoughts on how to move a toilet
In conclusion, it is not difficult to move a toilet. Toilet moving requires some consideration but is something that just about anyone can accomplish with some effort and very little cost. If you intend to move a toilet at some point, you will want to know how to safely remove the toilet and take it to another location.
By considering the points above, you will be able to do just that.
