Toilet Installation & What It Entails

A toilet installation can seem intimidating. From choosing the right materials to removing the old seat, the process can be made easier by hiring experts who know the drill. Here’s what you can expect during a toilet installation:

Selecting the Toilet

This step involves choosing the toilet type. You’ll find numerous options on the market, from gravity-flush to dual-flush and pressure-assisted to upflush. Though you’re free to choose what best suits your home and lifestyle, the experts you hire may have advice for you.

Removing Water

Turning off the water supply is crucial before starting any plumbing project. Generally, the supply line is connected to the wall. However, a few bathrooms have it on the floor. Your professional plumbing team will know where to find it.

Removing the Old Toilet

The toilet seat connects to the floor with nuts and closet bolts. Professionals use a wrench to loosen the nuts at the base. Once they’re removed, the old toilet can be lifted and replaced. However, before that happens, the experts need to prepare the floor.

Preparing the Floor

Professionals prepare the exposed sewer pipe to keep the unpleasant odor from spreading around your bathroom. It also prevents the risk of dropping something inside the pipe. If new flooring needs to be installed, it’s done at this point.

Attaching the Toilet

This step involves placing the closet bolts on the flange and tightening them with bare hands. Then, the experts place the new toilet upside down to attach a wax ring at the bottom. Once the wax ring sticks in place, the toilet bowl is placed onto the flange after removing the sewer pipe stuffing.

Adding the Tank and Connecting the Water

Next, they attach the toilet tank to the bowl. This is done by placing a rubber gasket between the bowl and tank and using bolts to make the connection firmer. Once done, the water is connected, and the tank is filled.

Expert installers always flush the toilet several times to check for leaks.

Sealing the Base

Though it isn’t necessary, sealing the base with caulk prevents leaks. It also helps keep the toilet seat in place.

Different Types of Toilets

The flush mechanism of the toilet you choose makes a difference. Therefore, you must familiarize yourself with popular options to ensure you pick one per your preferences.

Gravity Flush Toilet

Also referred to as "siphonic toilets", they feature a tank that fills with water. Once you press the flush button, it creates pressure that pushes the waste down the water line. The flushing mechanism is highly efficient and leaves the bowl clean after every use.

Dual Flush Toilet

As the name implies, it features two flushes: half and full. The former helps remove liquid waste via a gravity-feed system, while the latter flushes solid waste through a pressure-assisted system.

Dual-flush toilets are water efficient and environmentally friendly. The water-saving advantages of these toilets make them a preferred option in areas with water shortages.

Double Cyclone

They are a relatively newer option on the market and are more eco-friendly than gravity-flush toilets. They feature 2 water nozzles along the rim that spray water for an efficient flush.

Pressure-Assisted

Pressure-assisted toilets have a robust flush system. They are an ideal option for households with multiple family members. They use pressurized air to force water into the tank. Since they feature a powerful flush system, you’d rarely need to flush them more than once.

Bidet

Though costly, bidet toilets combine various helpful features. Many feature smart control systems to enhance user experience. This may include adjusting seat temperature with a remote. One of the biggest perks of this model is that it takes relatively less space, allowing for a more spacious bathroom.

Portable Models

Are you a frequent traveler? You’d appreciate the convenience portable toilets bring. Since they do not need lots of water to operate, you can carry them around on your camping and RV trips.

Average Costs of Toilet Installation

The precise costs of toilet installation depend on various factors, from the company you pick to your plumbing conditions. However, Forbes highlights the average toilet installation cost can be anywhere between $224 to $532.

Toilet installation isn’t as straightforward as removing the old seat and installing the new one, so it’s best to hire professionals for this purpose. Though DIY-ing might be tempting, you may end up incurring additional costs from mistakes you make. Slight negligence during toilet installation can lead to leaks and flooding, and you’ll eventually need to call in a professional for help.

So, while you can certainly pick the toilet type, it’s best to leave the installation to the professionals!