About this Project

Replacing a toilet is surprisingly easy. Problems arise only if the closet flange isn't at the floor surface or if the floor isn't level (shim the toilet after you set it on the hold-down bolts).

Toilets are ceramic, so work carefully. It is possible to crack a toilet if you bang it or screw down a nut too hard. Most toilets sold today have their drains centered 12 inches from the back wall. Measure yours from the wall to the hold-down bolt. If yours is centered 10 inches from the wall, either buy a 10-inch toilet or install a special offset closet flange. If you need to run supply and drain lines for a new installation, see the Related Projects list.