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 moreexpensive 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.
