Toilet installation includes removing the old toilet, checking the floor flange and subfloor, setting the new toilet on a fresh wax or wax-free seal, connecting a new supply line and making sure it doesn't rock or leak. Water-efficient models use far less water per flush than older toilets.
Call for Same Day Service (833) 763-0420Before setting the new toilet, the plumber checks the flange for cracks and the subfloor for soft spots from past leaks. Fixing these first prevents leaks at the base later.
Measure the rough-in, the distance from the wall to the center of the floor bolts, before buying a toilet. The most common rough-in is 12 inches.
When to Replace a Toilet
It's usually time to replace rather than repair when the porcelain is cracked, the toilet clogs constantly despite repairs, or you're paying for parts more often than once in a while.
- Cracked bowl or tank
- Constant clogs or a weak flush
- Repeated repairs on an old toilet
- Remodeling or updating a bathroom
What Toilet Installation Includes
Installation includes removing the old toilet, inspecting the flange and subfloor for damage, setting the new toilet on a fresh seal, connecting a new supply line and checking that it doesn't rock or leak.
- Shut off the water and remove the old toilet.
- Inspect and repair the flange and subfloor if needed.
- Set the new toilet on a new seal and tighten it evenly.
- Connect a new supply line and test for leaks.
Why the Flange and Subfloor Get Checked
The flange is the fitting that anchors the toilet to the drain pipe in the floor. If it's cracked, corroded or sitting below the finished floor, a new toilet won't seal or will rock, and the new wax ring fails early. A long-running leak at the old toilet can also soften the subfloor. Checking both before setting the new toilet is what keeps the installation from leaking a year later.
What Affects the Cost of Installing a Toilet
Beyond the toilet itself, cost depends on what the plumber finds under the old one.
- The toilet you choose.
- Flange or subfloor repair under the old toilet.
- A new shutoff valve or supply line.
- Haul-away of the old toilet.
When a Toilet Replacement Is Urgent
- The tank or bowl is cracked and leaking.
- It's your only toilet and it can't be repaired.
Toilet Replacement Permits Vary by City
San Antonio's Limited Service and Repair program lets licensed plumbing contractors replace an existing toilet first and certify the work afterward. In Philadelphia, simply removing and reinstalling a toilet without changing pipes is exempt from a permit. A licensed plumber will handle whatever your city requires.
Local plumbing details: San Antonio, Philadelphia
Before the Plumber Arrives
- Measure the rough-in (usually 10, 12 or 14 inches).
- Have the new toilet on site if you bought it yourself.
Toilet Installation is one part of toilet repair.
Other Toilet Repair Services
Toilet Installation Questions
What is a toilet's rough-in?
It's the distance from the finished wall to the center of the toilet's floor bolts. Most are 12 inches, but 10- and 14-inch rough-ins exist.
Should I choose a WaterSense toilet?
WaterSense-labeled toilets use no more than 1.28 gallons per flush and are tested for flushing performance.