| The installation of a toilet is a relatively easy job for | | | | shims to use later. |
| a homeowner. With a couple of wrenches, a | | | | Next remove the bowl, and insert the closet bolts |
| screwdriver and a few shims a new toilet can be | | | | (approximately 2" long bolts) into the slots on the |
| installed in about one hour. | | | | closet flange. |
| Toilets can be purchased at any home improvement | | | | Then turn the bowl over and install a wax ring gasket |
| store or plumbing supply center. Typically a gravity | | | | over the outlet of the bowl. This outlet is also know |
| flush toilet costs between $150 and $300, however | | | | as the "horn". |
| the price can double or triple for more elaborate | | | | Place the bowl onto the closet flange. Make sure the |
| units, such as pressure flush systems. Today's toilets | | | | bowl is well seated by rocking the bowl down. Once |
| are mandated to use no more than 1.6 gallons per | | | | the bowl has been seated, place a level on it and use |
| flush, where as older units used as much as 5 gallons. | | | | the shims as necessary. Next, using nuts and |
| The initial 1.6 gallon toilets were notorious for | | | | washers tighten up the bolts. Note: be careful not to |
| frequently clogging, however over the past several | | | | over-tighten these bolts as it could crack the bowl. |
| years suppliers have improved the performance of | | | | Next attach the tank to the bowl using the tank |
| these low water-use systems. | | | | bolts, nuts and washers. Again, do not over tighten. |
| Setting the Toilet | | | | Installing the Float Supply Unit |
| A toilet usually consists of two main parts: a bowl | | | | Install the float supply unit into the tank and hook up |
| and a tank. It is best to first install the bowl. Prior to | | | | the water line to the tank inlet. Again, do not over |
| seating the bowl, check if the closet flange has been | | | | tighten and make sure to use the washers supplied. |
| temporarily plugged with insulation or a rag to | | | | Next, turn the supply line on and adjust the float as |
| prevent sewer gases from escaping. Remove this. | | | | necessary. |
| Next set the bowl on top of the closet flange to | | | | Finally, caulk around the base of the unit and you are |
| determine if it sits level. If it does not, prepare some | | | | done. |