Replacing the wax toilet bowl gasket is a real easy job. It can save you about $150 dollars if you don't have to call a plumber. Service calls usually end up being a lot more expensive then you think it should. The money you save on doing this project you can buy yourself a new toilet to install.
Before you pull up your toilet, you will want to be sure to pick up any rugs or other items that might be on your bathroom floor.
1. The next step is to shut off the water valves behind the toilet and flush the toilet once to remove the water from the tank (some water will remain in the toilet).
2. First, the bolt caps must be removed. They can be pried up with pliers or popped off with a screw driver. Once this is accomplished the nuts can be removed with an ordinary pair of pliers.
3. Next, the toilet needs to be lifted directly off of the bolts and placed either on a towel on the
floor or in the bathtub. I recommend placing it in the bathtub if at all possible, as an extra precaution. While the toilet is in transit it MUST remain level. If the toilet tips even a small amount in any direction water will spill out.
4. The old wax seals tend to stick to the bottom of the toilet. This will need to be removed. Do not be afraid to get your hands dirty (or just wear gloves), as this is the easiest way to remove the bulk of the wax. A putty knife may also work nicely. Make sure to clean the wax off of the drain pipe in the floor as well. You'll need to place the wax toilet bowl gasket with flange plastic-down into the drain pipe. I would recommend buying an extra half wax ring and placing it on the top of the first wax gasket.
5. You may have to replace the toilet bolts. This is really no problem because most wax gaskets with flanges come with a bolt kit. You can also pick one up separately at very little cost.
6. Once the wax is in place you'll need to get the toilet and carefully carry it back to where it belongs. You will likely have to put much of your weight on the toilet to squish the wax down enough so that the toilet sits evenly on the floor.
7. Place and tighten the nuts on the bolts. If you had to replace the bolts you may need to cut them down with a hacksaw so they will fit under the bolt caps.
8. Before you replace the caps, turn on the water valve and allow the tank to fill. Once filled, give the toilet a couple of flush to make sure that there is no leaking.
Your toilet install is complete and ready for years of use.
Just one more thing before I end this article. To keep things sanitary run a bead of white kitchen and bath caulking around the base of the toilet. This will keep out all the dirt and the germs. Leave a small portion of the toilet base open in the back with no caulking. This way water will have away out to let you know that there is leak before it ruins your floor.
