It is now time for us to learn how to replace a toilet.

Make sure that first measurement is from your bolts to your wall.

This will insure that you purchase the right toilet.

Most toilets are a 12-inch rough-in.

Some of the older ones will be a 10-inch rough in.

If you have a 10-inch rough-in you might have to order your toilet.

They do make an adjustable flange that you can use to adapt to a 12-inch rough-in toilet.

Now, make sure that you turn off the water supply.

Flush the toilet to empty the tank.

You can now take the supply line off the bottom of the tank.

Have a bowl ready to catch the last little bit of water.

Make sure you have towels ready as well.

This way you will not have a wet floor to work on.

Now you need to loosen the tank-to-bowl bolts.

You can now pull the tank away from the bowl.

Make sure to carry it out and away from where you are working.

Next, take the caps off of the bowl and loosen the nuts.

When you have them off you can use a knife to cut the caulking around the bottom of the toilet.

Pull the toilet straight up and move it out of the room.

Use a putty knife to can scrape off the old wax ring.

Make sure that you get all of it off.

You will need to remove all the caulking off of the floor.

When you replace a toilet I suggest that you replace your supply line as well.

So, take off the supply line and put the new one on and get ready.

Take the new toilet out of the box and flip the bowl over and get the wax ring out.

Set the new bolts in to the flange.

It is now time for you to stick the wax ring onto the bowl.

Remove the plastic cover now and get ready to stick it down.

Carefully turn over the bowl and place it between the two screws.

Now carefully press down equally on all sides.

If you apply more pressure on one side you might have to repeat this step with a new wax ring.

Tighten the nuts down onto the screws.

Not too tight or you will crack the bowl.

You will now need to put the tank-to-bowl seal down into the hole.

Make sure to have it placed the right way.

Now place the tank onto the bowl and replace the screws onto it.

Make sure and follow the manufacturer’s directions.

This way you will make sure and seal the screws and will not have any leaks.

Do not tighten them too tight, you may crack the tank.

Hook up the supply line and turn on the water.

Check to see if you have any leaks.

If not, way to go!

Now you can put the toilet seat on.

T.J. Lindsey is the manager of Best Lumber and Building Supply in Mesquite, NV. You can see T.J.’s helpful home repair and maintenance column each Tuesday at www.mesquitelocalnews.com.