Measure before you buy
Measure the rough-in, which is the distance from the finished wall to the center of the floor flange. Most toilets are built for 12 inches, but some older bathrooms use 10 or 14. A mismatch leaves the toilet too close to or too far from the wall.
Also check the bowl shape, the height and the clearance. An elongated bowl needs more room than a round one. A taller seat can be more comfortable, and a compact model suits a tight bath.
Installation in six steps
Gather a wrench, a new wax ring, closet bolts, a supply line and a level.
- 1
Shut off and drain
Close the supply valve, flush, and sponge out the remaining water.
- 2
Remove the old toilet
Disconnect the supply, remove the nuts, rock the bowl and lift it straight up.
- 3
Inspect the flange
Scrape off the old ring and check the flange for cracks and a firm fit to the floor.
- 4
Set the new bowl
Place a new wax ring, lower the bowl over the bolts and press down evenly.
- 5
Secure and connect
Tighten the nuts alternately, attach the tank and connect the supply line.
- 6
Test
Open the valve, check for leaks and flush several times.
Tighten nuts alternately and stop when the bowl feels firm. Overtightening cracks the porcelain.
Common problems during installation
A flange that sits below the finished floor needs a spacer or extension, and a flange that is cracked or rusted needs a repair ring. A rocking bowl means the floor is uneven, and shims fix it.
If the subfloor around the flange is soft, stop. Rot can be extensive, and a plumber or carpenter should repair it before the toilet goes back.
Hard water and fill valves in Barberton
Barberton's latest water quality report lists hardness at 170 mg/L, so minerals collect on fill valves and flapper seats. A brand-new toilet in hard water can still develop a running problem after a few years.
Choose a model with easy-to-find parts, and consider a water softener if you are renovating your plumbing. Moving a toilet to a new location is different from swapping one, so ask the Barberton building department or Summit County about permits first.
Source: City of Barberton water quality report and building department pages.
When to hire a plumber
Call if the flange is damaged, the floor is soft, you are moving the toilet or the shutoff valve will not close. A plumber also helps with wall-hung models and macerating units.
Our toilet repair and installation team works fast, and a clog that keeps recurring may need drain cleaning. We serve Barberton, Norton and Copley.
Tools and parts checklist
You need an adjustable wrench, a putty knife, a level, a hacksaw if the closet bolts are too long, a new wax ring or a waxless seal, new closet bolts, a supply line and a bucket and sponge. Buy a spare wax ring because a misaligned set means starting over.
Wear gloves, and lay a drop cloth under the work area. A toilet bowl weighs enough that lifting it takes care, so ask for help if you need it.
Stubborn old bolts and caulk
Rusted nuts may not turn. Soak them with penetrating oil and wait, or cut the bolt with a hacksaw blade slipped under the nut. Cut carefully to avoid scratching the floor.
Slice through any caulk bead at the base of the old toilet before rocking it free. Pulling hard on a bowl stuck by caulk can crack the flange.
Checks after installation
Flush a few times and look at the base and the supply connection for drips. Wipe the tank and bowl dry and look again in an hour. Caulk the base around the front and sides, and leave the back open so a leak would show.
If you see water at the base, drain the toilet and reset the ring. A leak under the bowl damages the subfloor, so fix it now. If you prefer a pro, our toilet repair team installs toilets daily.
A word on wax rings and alternatives
A wax ring seals the toilet to the flange. Standard rings work for most installations, while extra-thick or reinforced rings suit flanges set slightly below the floor. Waxless seals tolerate reseating but need a clean, flat flange.
Whatever you choose, never stack a new ring on an old one. Scrape the old wax fully before you set the toilet.
Common mistakes to avoid
Overtightening the closet bolts cracks the base, and under-tightening leaves the bowl loose and the seal weak. Reusing an old supply line invites a slow leak, and skipping the level lets the bowl rock.
Set the bowl once. Lifting and resetting it can smear the wax ring and break the seal, so line up the bolts carefully the first time.
Water use and flush performance
Most modern toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush or less. Look for a model with a larger trapway, which resists clogs better than a narrow one.
Check reviews for flush performance, not just water savings. A toilet that needs a double flush wastes the water it was meant to save.
Questions readers ask
A typical swap takes one to two hours, longer if the flange needs repair.
Yes. A used ring does not reseal reliably.
The floor may be uneven or the flange too low. Shims or a flange extension fix it.
Yes, over years. Minerals affect fill valves and flapper seals.
A simple swap usually does not, but moving one may. Ask the building department.
Have a question about your own home? Call (855) 575-2890.