Removing a Toilet; Home Improvment

When your toilet is out of date or your updating your bathroom, replacing the toilet can be huge barrier for the do-it-yourself home improver. This particular bathroom is in desperate need of an update.

The tools you need...
-crescent wrench/pliers

Optional tools...
-gloves (promoting cleanliness)
-plastic grocery bags
-paint scraper (for scraping wax seal)

First, you need to turn off the water supply to the toilet. There should be a knob connected to a hose connected to the toilet tank.

After the water has been turned off, disconnect the hose from the shut-off knob. There will be a nut connecting the two pieces. (After the nut has been removed you may have to pull hard to get the hose out.)

It is easier to see the next step if you remove the top of the toilet.
Now, flush the toilet. The tank should be mostly empty after flushing.

The nasty part is ladling/scooping out the remaining water in the bowl. Any residual water can be absorbed with a sponge.

In this step you will need a wrench to unscrew bolts.

These bolts will be at the base, on either side of the bowl. Unscrew the nuts.

The bolts themselves will remain upright, connected to the floor.

Straddle the bowl and rock side to side until the wax seal under the toilet breaks. When the toilet rocks freely, the seal is broken.

To remove the toilet, lift it straight off the bolts. You will be left with a disgusting wax seal, a metal collar, two bolts, and a big hole.

First you need to scrape off the old wax seal. Don't get it on your hands or clothes, because it is really hard  to clean off.

To protect your tools, pets, etc. take a wad of old plastic grocery bags and fill the top of the hole. (This is removed before you insert the new toilet.)

More instructables to come on installing and other bathroom remodeling...