How to Install a Toilet in Austin, Texas: FAQs

If you live in Austin, Texas, and are wondering how to install a toilet in your home, you've come to the right place. Whether you're experienced with plumbing or are a total DIY novice, this informative article offers answers to your most frequently asked questions, as well as a few tips about best practices for toilet installation in the Austin, Texas, area.

Though installing a toilet is rather straightforward, opting to hire a professional plumber is the sensible choice for ensuring a job done right. At Abacus Residential & Commercial Plumbers, our licensed professionals understand the importance of thorough and timely plumbing repairs. We're consistently committed to complete customer satisfaction and peace of mind.

Steps for Toilet Installation in Austin, Texas

Installing a toilet generally requires seven steps. This is the normative process for purchasing, unboxing, and installation of a standard toilet. At each step, keep the following considerations in mind for a successful DIY toilet installation or use them to evaluate the work of a professional plumber.

1. Select a Toilet

The first step in the process is to select a toilet. When choosing a toilet, consider the following factors:

- Budget: Toilets come in a range of sizes, shapes, colors, and prices. Assess your budget before making a selection.

- Design and Installation: Available in back-loaded and front-loaded designs, assess your specific plumbing needs to ensure compatibility with your existing supply line positioning.

- Water Use: Consider how much water you wish to use per flush. One-piece and two-piece toilets are available in 1.6- and 1.28-gallon flush designs, respectively.

2. Obtain Installation Supplies

Once you've selected a toilet, head online or to the nearby Austin hardware store to obtain supplies necessary for installation. Basic installation supplies include a rubber gasket, wax ring, toilet mounting nut, and both standard and adjustable mounting bolts.

3. Remove the Old Toilet

Now that you've got the supplies and new toilet, it's time to get to work. Before beginning the installation process, disconnect and remove the old toilet. This requires turning off the water supply valve, flushing the toilet to drain the water, then unscrewing the mounting bolts and unhinging the tank lid. Gently slip the toilet from the flange to complete removal.

4. Cut the Flange for the Wax Ring

Next, it's time to get the flange ready for the wax ring. But if the flange is too low, you'll need to slightly mold it to ensure a proper fit. To do this, insert the cone of a flange tool into the space between the flange and the floor, and then turn the flange tool counterclockwise to install the molded flange.

5. Add the Wax Ring and New Toilet

Next comes the wax ring. Slide the wax ring onto the horn of the flange, over the molded area. Then lift the new toilet into position, being sure to line up the two bolts with the holes in the toilet base.

6. Secure the Toilet

To secure the toilet to the floor, place the mounting nuts onto the bolts before tightening them. Once completely tightened, add a snug-fitting wax gasket onto the underside of the bowl for support.

7. Connect the Toilet to the Water Supply

To connect the toilet to the water supply, turn the water supply valve back on and check for any leaks with a cloth. Then, snap the tank lid into place and flush the toilet to release any air from the supply lines.

Final thoughts

If you're a DIY enthusiast living in Austin, Texas, this article has provided a basic overview for successful toilet installation. Though this is a project you can tackle on your own, these steps serve as a reminder that often the best decision is to trust a licensed, professional plumber to get the job done right.

At Abacus Residential & Commercial Plumbers, our licensed professionals are insured, trained to the highest standards, and always committed to complete customer satisfaction. From toilet installation, to gas and electric water heater repairs, to leaky pipe repair, to hydro jetting clogged drains, we're here to solve your plumbing issues quickly, safely, and reliably.

Toilet Installation

Austin TX

Plumbing Repairs