Rehabbing bathrooms is sometimes left to professionals because it concerns plumbing. But wouldn’t it be helpful if you knew how to make bathroom repairs and improvements like installing a new toilet? You’ll be able to assist the plumber in many repairs, eliminating the need to hire an assistant and pay that worker. So, if you intend to learn about it, here is the perfect guide for you.

For this rehabbing bathrooms repair, you will need a new toilet bowl, a toilet tank, a toilet seat, and bolts for bowl to flange. These parts usually come with the toilet package. As for the tools when installing a new toilet and other materials, you’ll need adjustable wrench, sponge, bucket, putty knife, old towel or rag, heavy gloves, mini hack saw, utility knife, latex rubber gloves, small disposable plastic cup, and silicon sealant.

The first thing you need to do is to wear thick gloves. Take note that because toilets are made from ceramics, they can cause cuts. Remove the tank lid and close the main water valve. For the next steps of this rehabbing bathrooms activity, you will need to switch from thick gloves to rubber ones. Flush out all the water from the tank. Remove excess with a sponge. You will also need to remove the water inside the bowl. Scoop it with a disposable cup and dry it with a rag. Now, you can disconnect the water valve from the tank.

In some cases, you can remove the tank from the bowl. But because bolts are usually rusty, simply leave it attached. Remove the bolt caps on the side and loosen the bolts with a wrench. If necessary – that is if they are too rusty – cut them with a hacksaw. Since most toilets are sealed to the floor with caulk, use a utility knife to cut the sealant. Gently rock the toilet. Lift it with the help of an assistant and place it over a rag or a towel. When installing a new toilet or in any rehabbing bathrooms activity, you wouldn’t want to smell foul gasses so be sure to plug the drain with a towel. Once the old toilet is gone, scrape the old wax ring from flange using a putty knife.

Assemble the tank on the bowl. Place the rubber washers and tighten the nuts and bolts. Remember that since you are dealing with ceramics, it’s important not to tighten the nuts too much. That will prevent ceramic from breaking. Now, it’s time to prepare the flange. Insert new closet bolts into the flange. Remove the rag plugged from drain and position the new wax ring. A tip when installing a new toilet: Make sure the wax ring is not too cold. It is easier to work with if it is in room temperature. Center the ring on the flange. Then, with the help of an assistant, set the new toilet on the flange. Gently push it until it fits perfectly on the floor and the bolts into the slot. Make sure the toilet is level.

Place the washers and tighten the nuts. Tip when rehabbing bathrooms, especially toilets: tighten the nuts alternately on each side to keep the pressure on both sides balanced.  Cut the bolts if necessary and reinstall the bolt caps. You can then install the toilet seat and reconnect water supply to the holding tank. Seal the base with silicon sealant. Cover the tank with lid and you’re done with installing a new toilet. Check this section regularly for more features on rehabbing bathrooms.