Replacing the toilet: the subtleties of the process

All things have a service life, which directly depends on how this or that thing was used. Bathroom plumbing is no exception. Unfortunately, both the bathtub and the toilet can become unusable. But there is no need to despair. It is possible to change the toilet on your own at home if you follow all the rules and instructions.

If all sorts of problems appear with the toilet, this does not mean that it is necessary to change it. There are cases when it is enough to simply fix some element or simply replace it. This can happen for various reasons. So, for example, if it leaks at the junction of the hose and the toilet, you just need to turn off the water, disconnect the hose and coat it with silicone sealant. This will stop the leak. Or, if the tank does not hold water, and it constantly flows, then you need to open the lid and replace the drain system. These simple measures can prolong the life of the toilet for a long time without the extra cost of replacing it.

Sometimes it happens that more serious problems arise that cannot be repaired. In this case, you will have to buy and install a new toilet. The materials from which toilets are made are most often very fragile, do not tolerate shock or temperature extremes. If cracks or chips appear on the toilet, this can lead to its destruction. Replace it as soon as possible.

It so happens that an unpleasant smell appears from the toilet. This can be either a smell from the sewer itself, or in the case that pollution began to get into the cracks. Sanitary ware has a porous structure, microbes get there through the chips. The solution to this problem is also just replacement. The reason for buying new plumbing can also be repairs in the bathroom. If you plan to make major repairs in the apartment, then it is best to buy and install new equipment, and not just replace the flooring and walls. It is possible to do it yourself if you carefully study and follow all the instructions.

Before installing a new toilet, you must dismantle the old, which most often has an already ugly appearance, is cracked in some places or is covered with a thick coating. If the house is old, and repairs were made many years ago, then removing the old toilet bowl without breaking it is unlikely to work, since its base is firmly concreted into the floor. This method of cementing the floor and attaching the toilet to this place was very popular in Soviet times, when it was customary to do everything efficiently and for a long time.

To date, stores offer a wide range of plumbing products, looking at which the eyes just scatter. Therefore, before making a rash purchase, you need to figure out which toilet is right for a particular bathroom.

There are such main types of structures:

• floor;
• suspended.

Floor options are more common, as they are classic. Their choice is wide enough.

They can be classified into several types.

• Monoblock. Bowl and cistern are connected together;
• Compact. The parts are separated, they are connected during installation;
• With hidden drainage system. This is the most modern type, the cistern is located behind a false wall, which gives a neat look to the bathroom and hides all communications.

As for wall-hung toilets, they are not installed on the floor, but fixed to the wall. This is a new, more modern type that has a number of undeniable features. Such a toilet is more compact, there is free space under it, which is always not enough. Also, when buying and installing a new toilet bowl, you need to decide on the direction of flushing the water.

There are three varieties.

• With vertical release. The vertical outlet is an outdated model, and nowadays it is practically not used, since the sewage system must run under the floor, and in modern houses such a structure has not been built for a long time.
• With oblique release. An oblique bend can be found in modern panel houses. The neck of such toilets is located at an angle of 45 degrees and is usually connected to the sewer using a tee.
• With horizontal outlet. Horizontal toilets have become very popular in recent decades. The sewerage runs behind the wall, and the connection to the bathroom is made parallel to the floor using a corrugated pipe or cuff.

It is worth paying attention to the material from which the toilet is made.

Most often, the following materials are used for the manufacture of toilets:

• earthenware is an inexpensive and fragile material that can last up to 15 years, but by the end of its service life it can become covered with small cracks;
• porcelain is strong enough, but the price is correspondingly higher. Its service life is up to 30 years;
• cast iron and steel. Structures made from these materials are very strong and durable.
• Acrylic is lightweight and durable, but does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature and shock.

When choosing a place for a new toilet in the bathroom, you should take into account the following rules, which are mandatory:

• there must be a distance of at least 60 cm from the structure to the door;
• there must be at least 20 cm between the structure and the side wall.

If you comply with these standards, then after installation, the toilet will be located in the most comfortable place, and there will be no problems with its operation. You can install the toilet yourself without experienced plumbers, if you follow all the instructions and stock up on the necessary tools.

Need to have:

• puncher;
• screwdriver;
• adjustable wrench;
• grinder;
• hammer;
• sealant gun;
• putty knife;
• level;
• protective equipment for eyes and skin.

Also, such additional materials as:

• FUM tape;
• sealant;
• corrugated pipe;
• set for fasteners;
• water pipe;
• tap.

During the installation of the toilet, it is imperative to correctly install all gaskets, elastic bands, a rim, and also to assemble the drain mechanism clearly according to the instructions. In the future, this will help to avoid problems during the use of the structure. It is also better to assemble the insides of the toilet according to the instructions. This is a water flushing system. In some models, everything is initially assembled, in some you will have to work hard on your own.

Dismantling an old device often becomes a rather difficult task. So, for example, in the "Khrushchev" it is almost impossible to remove the old unit while maintaining its integrity due to the fact that it is walled up in the floor tiles with a thick layer of cement. When removing such a bathroom, you must be extremely careful not to damage the cast-iron sewer pipe.Before starting work, you need to prepare an empty bucket, rags to collect water, because it will flow out of the old toilet bowl, make the necessary calculations and measure everything.

Dismantling of the old structure takes place according to the following scheme:

• shut off the water supply and drain the water from the tank;
• disconnect the tank;
• remove the connection between the bowl and the sewer;
• remove all water from the bowl;
• unscrew the bolts at the edges of the toilet base;
• remove silicone from under the base;
• remove the bowl.

After the old toilet is removed, it is necessary to carry out a general cleaning of the room so that there is no debris and dust left. Or, if repairs are planned, then carry out all the work on replacing the flooring and wall cladding. Once everything is done, you can proceed to the installation of new plumbing equipment. It is highly recommended to install plumbing fixtures after the completion of the repair, as they are most often made of fragile materials that can be damaged.

In order to replace a floor-standing toilet, you need:

• determine its location, put the bowl in the most optimal place, try on everything;
• making sure of the convenience of such a location, you need to circle the base of the bowl with a construction pencil, highlight the holes for the fastening;
• remove the toilet, then drill holes and insert dowels into them;
• install the corrugated pipe in the sewer hole, it is necessary to treat the junction with a sealant;
• put the new bathroom strictly in the marked place, screw in the bolts for fastening to the floor;
• make a connection to the sewer;
• put the toilet cistern;
• connect the structure to the water supply.

Be sure to check the structure for leaks. Provided that they are not there, the installation was successful, you can safely use the toilet. If it was decided to install a wall-mounted toilet, then in this case there will be more work. It is necessary both to repair the floor covering, and to equip a false wall, and to repair it.

You need to replace in the following sequence:

• mark the installation site, bring the sewerage and water supply;
• try on the frame for mounting the structure;
• mark the places for mounting on the wall and on the floor;
• use a puncher to make holes, install the frame (or installation);
• install the drain tank and connect the water supply;
• install sheets of drywall so that an imitation of walls is obtained;
• finish the resulting false wall;
• install a bowl, connect with a corrugated pipe with a sewer, thoroughly coat everything with sealant;
• connect the drain tank.

Changing the toilet with your own hands without the help of professional plumbers can be quite difficult if you have no experience in this area. But if you study all the instructions and recommendations, then you can avoid common mistakes and successfully complete the installation of the toilet.

Experts pay attention to some points.

• so that stagnation does not form in the sewer pipe, it is necessary that there be a slope of 3-5 cm in the direction of the riser;
• If the bathroom has a bidet, it is best to install the new wall-mounted toilet flush with it. This will look the most advantageous;
• in case of replacement of sewer pipes, it is necessary to equip inspection hatches. They should be located in places that are easy to access. It is extremely important to take this into account in order to have free access to them in an emergency;

• if old cast iron pipes are installed in the apartment, then it is advisable to replace them with plastic ones. This will greatly facilitate the installation of a new toilet;
• the most difficult is the process of removing the old toilet, since it is at this stage that problems may arise, for example, rusty metal parts that cannot be twisted off, or the base of the toilet is firmly cemented, which causes great difficulties;
• during the installation of a wall-hung toilet, it is better to install it together, since it will be necessary to simultaneously hold the bowl and fix it to the wall. It is almost impossible to do this alone.

The installation of a new bathroom can be done independently, even without experience in this area. After all, if you resort to the help of professional plumbers, then the cost of their work will not be cheap at all. The first step is to choose a suitable toilet, taking into account the individual characteristics of the room and the personal wishes of the owner. Modern stores offer a wide range of these goods from economy class to exclusive. You can choose both the most common plumbing structure with a separate bowl and a drain barrel, or opt for modern wall-mounted toilets that look profitable and impressive, and also save space in the bathrooms.

Installation is best done in a specific sequence., having prepared in advance everything you need, as well as additional materials. If everything is done in accordance with the instructions and recommendations, then the replacement will not be difficult at all, and the new plumbing will look harmonious in the updated room and will last more than one year.

Also watch the video on how to replace the toilet with your own hands.