How to Install a Toilet Seat and Toilet – Step-by-Step Guide


How to install a toilet - Brinstead One-Piece Elongated Skirted Toilet How to install a toilet - Brinstead One-Piece Elongated Skirted Toilet

We recommend consulting a professional if you are unfamiliar with installing toilets or plumbing.

For the following installation instructions for your new toilet, it is assumed that any old fixtures have been removed and any repairs to the water supply and/or toilet flange have been completed.

Tools and Materials


  • Adjustable Wrench

  • Shim

  • Level

  • Hacksaw

  • Latex Caulk

  • Tile Grout

toilet installation tools and materials - adjustable wrench, shim, level, hacksaw, latex caulk, and tile grout

Toilet Installation Steps

toilet installation step 1 - press the wax ring into place on the toilet flange on the floor and install anchor bolts through it

STEP 1

Press the new wax ring into place on the toilet flange on the floor with the flat side down and the tapered edge up. Apply enough pressure to hold the ring in place during installation but be careful not to press it out of shape.

Install the anchor bolts through the toilet flange. The anchor bolts should be pointing upwards so that when the toilet is placed the bolts will project through the mounting holes on the base of the toilet.

toilet installation step 2 - lift the toilet and align the mounting holes with the anchor bolts on the floor

STEP 2

When the wax ring and bolts are attached, lift the toilet and align the mounting holes with the anchor bolts on the floor for proper placement.

Set the toilet down on the floor and press in place to form a tight seal with the wax ring. Do not move the toilet after placement, this could break the watertight seal and cause leakage.

toilet installation step 3 - thread washers and nuts onto the anchor bolts on the toilet

STEP 3

Thread the washers and nuts onto the anchor bolts.

Installation Tip: Before tightening washers and nuts, verify that your toilet is level. If the toilet is not level, place a shim under the base of the toilet and adjust as necessary.

toilet installation step 4 - tighten the washers and nuts onto the anchor bolts with an adjustable wrench

STEP 4

When the toilet is properly aligned, finish tightening the washers and nuts onto the anchor bolts with your adjustable wrench. Do this gradually, alternating from one bolt to the other until both are tight. Be sure not to overtighten as this could cause cracks and damage the base of your toilet.

toilet installation step 5 - place bolt caps over the anchor bolts on the base of the toilet

STEP 5

Place bolt caps over the anchor bolts on the base of the toilet.

Installation Tip: If the anchor bolts extend too far over the top of the washers and nuts, use a hacksaw to trim to the correct length.

toilet installation step 6 - if installing a two-piece toilet, slide the tank bolts through the mounting holes on the toilet

STEP 6

If you are installing a two-piece toilet, slide the tank bolts through the mounting holes on the top of the base of the toilet. If your toilet has only one piece, move on to step 7.

toilet installation step 7 - place bolt caps over the anchor bolts on the base of the toilet

STEP 7

Thread washers and nuts onto the tank bolts. Verify that the tank is level and alternately tighten the washers and nuts until the tank is resting firmly on the bowl.

toilet installation step 8 - connect the water supply tubes, turn on the water, flush and check for leaks

STEP 8

Connect the water supply tubes at the bottom of the tank. Turn on the water supply and flush the toilet several times to check for any leaks around the back or base.

toilet installation step 9 - attach the toilet seat by placing it on top of the bowl and secure with bolts

STEP 9

Attach the toilet seat by placing it on top of the bowl and securing it in place with supplied bolts.

toilet installation step 10 - apply latex caulk or tile grout around the base of the toilet

STEP 10

Finish your installation by applying latex caulk or tile grout around the base of the toilet. This will finish the joint between your floor and toilet bowl and divert water away from the base of the toilet.

toilet installation step 1 - press the wax ring into place on the toilet flange on the floor and install anchor bolts through it

STEP 1

Press the new wax ring into place on the toilet flange on the floor with the flat side down and the tapered edge up. Apply enough pressure to hold the ring in place during installation but be careful not to press it out of shape.

Install the anchor bolts through the toilet flange. The anchor bolts should be pointing upwards so that when the toilet is placed the bolts will project through the mounting holes on the base of the toilet.

toilet installation step 2 - lift the toilet and align the mounting holes with the anchor bolts on the floor

STEP 2

When the wax ring and bolts are attached, lift the toilet and align the mounting holes with the anchor bolts on the floor for proper placement.

Set the toilet down on the floor and press in place to form a tight seal with the wax ring. Do not move the toilet after placement, this could break the watertight seal and cause leakage.

toilet installation step 3 - thread washers and nuts onto the anchor bolts on the toilet

STEP 3

Thread the washers and nuts onto the anchor bolts.

Installation Tip: Before tightening washers and nuts, verify that your toilet is level. If the toilet is not level, place a shim under the base of the toilet and adjust as necessary.

toilet installation step 4 - tighten the washers and nuts onto the anchor bolts with an adjustable wrench

STEP 4

When the toilet is properly aligned, finish tightening the washers and nuts onto the anchor bolts with your adjustable wrench. Do this gradually, alternating from one bolt to the other until both are tight. Be sure not to overtighten as this could cause cracks and damage the base of your toilet.

toilet installation step 5 - place bolt caps over the anchor bolts on the base of the toilet

STEP 5

Place bolt caps over the anchor bolts on the base of the toilet.

Installation Tip: If the anchor bolts extend too far over the top of the washers and nuts, use a hacksaw to trim to the correct length.

toilet installation step 6 - if installing a two-piece toilet, slide the tank bolts through the mounting holes on the toilet

STEP 6

If you are installing a two-piece toilet, slide the tank bolts through the mounting holes on the top of the base of the toilet. If your toilet has only one piece, move on to step 7.

toilet installation step 7 - place bolt caps over the anchor bolts on the base of the toilet

STEP 7

Thread washers and nuts onto the tank bolts. Verify that the tank is level and alternately tighten the washers and nuts until the tank is resting firmly on the bowl.

toilet installation step 8 - connect the water supply tubes, turn on the water, flush and check for leaks

STEP 8

Connect the water supply tubes at the bottom of the tank. Turn on the water supply and flush the toilet several times to check for any leaks around the back or base.

toilet installation step 9 - attach the toilet seat by placing it on top of the bowl and secure with bolts

STEP 9

Attach the toilet seat by placing it on top of the bowl and securing it in place with supplied bolts.

toilet installation step 10 - apply latex caulk or tile grout around the base of the toilet

STEP 10

Finish your installation by applying latex caulk or tile grout around the base of the toilet. This will finish the joint between your floor and toilet bowl and divert water away from the base of the toilet.

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Things to Know Before Your Toilet Installation

Do new toilets come with a flange?

New toilets don’t typically come with a flange because the flange is usually installed on the floor, rather than the toilet itself.

Do new toilets come with a wax ring?

This is usually dependent on the toilet itself; some may include a wax ring while others do not. It’s best to look at the specs for each toilet to see what is included.

Can you fit a new toilet to an old soil pipe?

As long as the existing soil pipe is in good condition and the pipe and toilet both follow standard sizes, yes, most new toilets can be installed to old soil pipes.

Brinstead One-Piece Elongated Skirted Toilet for toilet installation

How long does it take to install a toilet?

This can vary depending on your experience level with home projects. However, installing a toilet is fairly straightforward and can take anywhere from 2-4 hours if there are no unforeseen issues.

When should I replace my toilet?

This depends on personal preference but if you experience any of the following issues it may be time to consider installing a new toilet:

  • Leaks

  • High-water usage

  • Clogs

  • Constant running

There are other issues that can impact the use and effectiveness of a toilet and its best to consult a plumber if you have any concerns.

Can you install a toilet without a sewer line?

No, traditional toilets require a sewer line to flush away and transport waste away from the home.

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