If you are looking to update bathrooms, you might be considering replacing the toilets in your home. Over the years, toilets can become less efficient or even outdated with the amount of water they hold and flush with. If you are looking for a way to save water in your home every month, a new toilet can drastically cut down on the amount of water your household uses. Removing a toilet isn't too complicated, here are some steps to help you get it removed safely without damaging your home.

Step One

The first step before you do anything that involves the plumbing in your home is to shut off the water to the area you are working in. Toilets have a metal hose that is attached and runs from the pipes in the wall into the base of the toilet. You should start by twisting this until the water flow is stopped. You can test that you did this correctly buy flushing the existing toilet. If there is no new water to fill the bowl and you do not hear water running you have done this correctly and can move onto step two. 

Step Two

The next thing you should do is locate a bucket or disposable pan to put under the hose you turned off before you actually disconnect it. This is because even when the water is off there can still be some water in the hose that can spill out when it is disconnected. Having this receptacle to catch the water in will help you avoid damage to the room like water damage to the baseboards or a mess to clean up.

Step Three 

If your toilet has a lot of caulking that is sealing the line around the toilet to the floor you should scrap this off. Using an Exacto knife, you can slice right through it to make removing the toilet easier.

Step Four

You are ready to remove the water from the toilet bowl and tank. This is not a fun job but unless you want water spilling out as you are walking with the toilet out of the house. Use a disposable cup to scoop water out. Once this is done you are ready to lift! 

Step Five

Grab someone to help you lift the toilet. Toilets can be very heavy ceramic fixtures so be sure to lift safely and try to avoid damaging doorways as you navigate your way out of the house.

Step 6

Remove the old wax ring and throw it away wearing gloves. The wax ring helps the toilet sit safely on the pipe that takes the sewage out of the home and keeps it from leaking. You will replace this wax ring with a new one and you are ready for your new toilet!

Removing an old toilet isn't a glamorous job, but it's one you can learn to do yourself. Call for plumbing services for any task you are not comfortable doing yourself. A local plumber can help you with any other plumbing issues in your bathrooms and help you make sure your new toilets are installed correctly!