The Parts and Tools You Need
Gather these before you shut off the water. A mid-job trip to the store leaves the drain open and the house without a toilet.
- The toiletCheck the rough-in, which is the distance from the wall to the flange bolt center. Twelve inches is standard.
- Wax ring or wax-free sealThis seals the toilet outlet to the flange. Match the type to your flange height.
- Closet boltsTwo brass or stainless bolts that hold the toilet to the flange. Buy a new set.
- Supply lineA braided stainless line with a 3/8 inch compression fitting, long enough to reach without strain.
- Shutoff valveA quarter-turn angle stop is best. Replace a stiff or leaking old one while the wall is accessible.
- Shims, level and putty knifePlastic shims, a small level, a putty knife and a wrench or pliers.
- Toilet seat and caulkSeat bolts and a bead of tub and tile caulk around the base for sealing against floor cleaning water.
Wax Ring Versus Wax-Free Seal
A standard wax ring is a thick doughnut of wax that compresses between the toilet horn and the flange. It is cheap, and it seals very well when the flange is level and the right height. It cannot be reused, so if you lift the toilet, replace it.
A wax-free seal uses a flexible rubber or foam gasket. It is cleaner to handle and forgiving of slight height differences, and it can be repositioned if the toilet needs adjusting. A reinforced wax ring with a plastic horn sleeve is another option if the flange is recessed. Either works when the flange is sound.
Flange Height and Which Seal Fits
The flange is the ring on the floor that holds the toilet. Its height relative to the finished floor drives the seal choice.
| Flange position | Typical fit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flush with finished floor | Standard wax ring | Common target for good seal. |
| Up to about 1/4 inch above floor | Standard or wax-free ring | Works if the flange is solid. |
| Recessed below the floor | Extra-thick wax or flange extender | Call a plumber if the flange is cracked. |
| Broken, rusted or loose | Repair first | Do not set a toilet on a damaged flange. |
| Over 1/2 inch above the floor | Wax-free, or lower the flange | A plumber should assess. |
Measure with the old toilet removed. New tile or vinyl flooring often raises the finished floor above the flange.
Supply Line and Shutoff Valve Details
The shutoff valve is the small oval or round handle on the wall or floor under the tank. A quarter-turn stop closes fast and rarely seizes. Old multi-turn valves often drip when disturbed, so replace them if the handle is stiff or crusty.
Use a new braided stainless supply line every time. Hand-tighten the nut, then add a quarter turn with a wrench. Cranking harder crushes the rubber washer. Leave a gentle curve in the line so it is not stretched, and wipe the fittings dry to spot slow weeps.
Crowley Plumbing Code in the Background
The City of Crowley Community Development Building Codes page lists the 2021 International Plumbing Code among the codes the city has adopted, and it posts local amendments. The amendments we reviewed address underground piping, building sewers and irrigation backflow, not toilets or flanges.
That does not mean permit rules are the same everywhere. For a like-for-like swap on an existing flange, ask the Crowley building department whether anything applies. For new drain work, a pro handles the pipe so it meets the adopted code, and our plumbing installation crews work to it.
Source: City of Crowley Community Development, Building Codes page
Installing the Toilet From Start to Finish
Work with a helper. A full-size toilet weighs 60 to 100 pounds.
Remove the old toilet.
Shut the valve, flush, and sponge out the bowl and tank. Disconnect the supply line, loosen the closet nuts, and lift straight up. Stuff a rag in the drain to block sewer gas.
Scrape and inspect the flange.
Scrape off old wax. The flange should be solid and level with no cracks, and the closet bolt slots should hold the bolts upright.
Set the bolts and seal.
Slide new closet bolts into the flange slots. Place the new ring on the flange, or on the toilet horn if the instructions say so.
Lower the toilet.
Align the bowl over the bolts and set it straight down. Do not rock it back and forth. Press down evenly and sit on it briefly to seat the seal.
Tighten, level and connect.
Tighten the nuts a little at a time, alternating sides, until snug. Check level front to back and side to side, shimming as needed. Connect the supply, open the valve slowly, and check for drips before caulking.
Do It Yourself or Call a Plumber
Swapping like for like is the easy case. New locations and damaged flanges are not.
Reasonable DIY
- Replacing a toilet over a sound flange.
- Swapping the supply line and shutoff valve.
- Replacing a seat or tank hardware.
- Re-leveling a rocking toilet.
Call a licensed plumber
- Flange is cracked, rusted or below the floor.
- Floor is soft or stained around the base.
- New toilet location needing new drain and vent.
- Shutoff will not close or the line leaks.
Leaks, Rocking and Other Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is overtightening the closet nuts. Porcelain cracks, and a cracked base can leak slowly into the floor. Tighten in small turns, alternating sides. Another is reusing an old wax ring, which hardens and loses its seal.
A toilet that rocks needs shims, not more torque. Use plastic shims, trim them flush after tightening, and caulk the front and sides but leave the back open if you want a leak to show. If the toilet leaks at the base after install, pull it and replace the ring. Our toilet repair team handles those fixes.
What Affects the Cost of Toilet Installation
We give a clear price before work starts. These are the factors.
Homeowners policies usually cover sudden and accidental water damage and usually not a slow seal leak or wear. Ask your carrier.
Installs Around Crowley
We install toilets for homes in Crowley and across Burleson, Everman and Forest Hill. Older homes may have cast iron or clay flanges that need replacing, and newer slab homes often have PVC flanges. Ask us what yours is by phone.
Toilet Installation Questions
A like-for-like swap typically takes one to two hours. Plan more time if the flange or shutoff needs repair.
Yes. Wax compresses once and will not reseal properly. Replace the ring or seal whenever the toilet comes up.
The flange anchors the toilet to the drain. If it sits too low or too high, the seal can leak.
The city pages do not say. Ask the Crowley building department, and note that Crowley adopted the 2021 International Plumbing Code.
An uneven floor or flange. Shim it level, then retighten gently.
It is easier to handle and allows adjustment. Both work when the flange is sound.