How to Install a New Toilet Myself

There are so many designs and styles of new toilets available, these once simple tasks now seem a bit more complex. Unless you are installing the toilet in a completely new space, you will also have an old toilet to remove first.

Strap on your rubber gloves and follow these steps (skip to step 5 if you aren’t removing an old toilet):

Turn off the water. The turn-off valve is located on the wall behind the toilet. Make sure this is turned to close the water inlet. Sometimes, these will not close completely. If so, you will have to locate where the main turn off valve is for the entire house. This location will vary depending on whether you have city, well, or cistern water.
Flush the toilet. This will remove most of the water from the toilet. However, you will have to use a sponge or rag to remove the rest of the water from the tank at the back, and the toilet bowl.
Separate the tank. Disconnect the bolt that fastens the supply line to the tank. Loosen the bolts that connect the tank to the rest of the toilet with a wrench, and separate the two. Before doing this have some towels or absorbent tarp on the floor for any additional water that may linger.
Remove the toilet bowl. Snap off the decorative bolt covers near the floor of the toilet bowl. Then use the wrench to loosen and remove the nuts that hold the bolts. Now lift the toilet bowl up to remove it from the wax ring. You may have to rock it back and forth a little to loosen before being able to remove. If there will be a period of time between removal and new installation, stuff a rag into the hole at the flange to prevent sewer gas from coming into your home.
Scrape off extra wax. Usually, there will be some wax left on the flange that is on the floor. Use a putty knife to scrape off the residue.
Now you’re ready to install! Place the new wax ring underneath and attached to the toilet and press to stick.
Place bowl on bolts. Carefully lift toilet and place so the bolts in the floor come up on both sides in the holes in the base. You may need someone to help you if it is too heavy for you to lift. Rock the toilet base to make sure it is on the flange and wax ring. Use a level to make sure the toilet is level. If it is not, slip a shim under the base to make level. Now use an adjustable wrench to tighten the nuts onto the bolts. Tighten some on one side then alternate to the other side. Make snug, but do not over-tighten, causing cracking. Cover the bolts with the new bolt covers.
Install the tank. Place on the corresponding bolt on the back of the bowl, and tighten the same way you did before. If the inner flushing assembly is not already provided in the toilet, you will have to install that. Then connect the water supply by tightening the bolt for the line. Finish by caulking at the base of the bowl, next to the floor, if desired.

If all of this sounds too intimidating, just contact us. We can quickly install and guarantee the installation of your new toilet.

Is It Time to Upgrade Your Fixtures? Signs Your Plumbing Is Outdated

Brian Wear Plumbing
August 5, 2026

You know that feeling when you are lying in bed, the house is perfectly quiet, and then you hear it. Plink. Plink. Plink. It is the steady, rhythmic sound of a leaky bathroom faucet somewhere down the hall. Or perhaps you step into the shower to wash away a long day, only to be greeted by a sputtering, weak stream of water that barely rinses the shampoo out of your hair.

How Fast Does Mold Grow After Water Damage?

Brian Wear Plumbing
July 22, 2026

Imagine walking into your kitchen first thing in the morning, ready to brew a pot of coffee, only to hear the dreaded squish of a soaked rug beneath your slippers. You trace the puddle back to a leaky dishwasher, grab an armful of towels, and start furiously mopping up the mess. Water damage is incredibly stressful and overwhelming. Whether it comes from a burst pipe, a leaky roof, or a grumpy appliance, dealing with the immediate flood is only half the battle.

How Preventative Plumbing Maintenance Saves Columbia Homeowners Thousands

Brian Wear Plumbing
July 8, 2026

Plumbing emergencies never happen at a good time. It is always during the big game, at 2 a.m. on a Tuesday, or five minutes before your in-laws arrive for a weekend visit. You know that sinking feeling you get when you spot a puddle on the floor and realize it is not because someone spilled their water bottle. Whether it comes from a burst pipe, a grumpy sump pump, or a sneaky leak under the kitchen sink, finding water where it shouldn't be is incredibly stressful and overwhelming.