Toilet Seal Replacement

The standard floor flush toilet is bolted to a flange that is attached to the top of the drain stack in the floor. Between the flange and the toilet-base is a seal that is usually made of wax or rubber. The seal prevents water from escaping when the toilet is flushed. If you notice water around the toilet-base on the floor, you may need a new seal. You can replace the seal on your toilet yourself and save the expense of having a professional plumber complete the job. A new seal is less than $10, according to 2011 prices and can be installed in about an hour.


Tools Of The Trade
Sponge
Slip-joint pliers
Adjustable wrench
Rubber gloves
Putty knife
Newspaper
Garbage bag
Toilet bolts
Toilet seal

Step 1:
Turn off the shutoff valve located under the left side of the toilet tank toward the floor. Turn the handle or knob on the shutoff valve completely clockwise.

Step 2:
Flush the toilet to remove most of the water. With the shutoff valve turned off, the tank will not refill. Lift off the toilet tank lid and place it in a safe place. Extract the remaining water in the tank with a sponge. Soak up as much water from the bowl as you can using the sponge.

Step 3:
Disconnect the water supply hose that connects the bottom of the flush valve with shutoff valve. Use a pair of slip-joint pliers to turn the fitting on the end of the flush valve counterclockwise.

Step 4:
Remove the toilet bolt caps on top of the bolts on either side of the toilet-base. Usually the caps can be removed by hand, but if they are stuck, use the pliers to twist them off the bolts.

Step 5:
Unfasten the nuts on the toilet bolts by turning them counterclockwise with an adjustable wrench. Stand over the toilet with one hand on either side of the bowl and lift straight up. Place the toilet out of the way on some news paper so that you protect the bathroom floor.

Step 6:
Scrape off the old seal from the top of the flange using a putty knife. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from the debris. Clean off as much debris as you can. Place the debris on newspaper, wrap it up and place it in a garbage bag.

Step 7:
Slide the old toilet bolts through the channel in the flange to the wide part where you can pull out the bolts completely. Place new bolts in the wide part of the channel and slide them all the way to the other end. Place the new seal over the top of the flange and ensure that it doesn't cover any part of the drain.

Step 8:
Hold the toilet over the flange and align the bolts with the holes in the toilet-base. Gently lower the toilet onto the bolts. Tighten the nuts onto the bolts by hand to ensure that they don't cross-thread. Finish tightening the bolts using the adjustable wrench. Replace the bolt caps and reconnect the water suply hose to the bottom of the flush valve. Turn the shutoff valve completely counterclockwise to restore the water supply to the toilet.