How To Install a Toilet
Summary: How to install a toilet is not as big a question as you might think it is. It requires moderate skills and you must install the piping to code. Failure to do this could lead to serious health problems.
DEAR TIM: I want to add a second toilet in our house. The existing toilet is on the opposite end of the house. We are on a septic system. How do I do this? I wanted to have someone come in and run the piping from the floor where I want it to connect to the main sewage line leaving the house, but who do I contact for this? I want to do the rest by myself and most contractors don't want a little project like that. Could I do it myself or is it complicated? Angela White, Vancouver, WA
DEAR ANGELA: Adding this new toilet so that it meets the code and works flawlessly for years requires a moderate amount of skill. Many cities and villages allow you to do the work so long as it passes a rough-in and a final inspection. My advice to you is to try to do the job. You can always call for the cavalry if you get overrun.
This new toilet will require a 3-inch waste drainage pipe. You may decide that plastic PVC is easier to work with, but if I was working with you and it was important that the pipe was quiet, we would use cast iron pipe.
The two biggest challenges with the drainage pipe are connecting it to the existing drain line and then properly venting the new toilet. If you can successfully cut into your existing drain line and install the required 4x3 wye fitting, you have what it takes to complete the job.
In case you do get into trouble, a plumber is the primary contractor you will need to bail you out. This assumes that you can do all of the drywall repairs that will be required after the vent pipe is installed.
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Comments:
David Cowart 19 Dec 2007, 01:24
I have a pre-built home that is about 4 years old. I would like to insulate
several of the interior walls. How would I go about doing this without
ripping out the sheetrock? I have seen a few explanations, but most end up
by saying call a contractor. THANKS IN ADVANCE.
AsktheBuilder 19 Dec 2007, 07:30
David,
Why not rent a cellulose blower?
Maggie 16 Jan 2008, 09:56
My husband and I had to replace the floor under our toilet and we also
retiled our floor but the flange for the toilet is twisted.We havent moved
it at all because it was already installed but theres only one way the
toilet could face since its in a cut out. How can we fix the flange after
its glued to reinstall our toilet?
AsktheBuilder 17 Jan 2008, 12:44
Maggie,
I don't know if there is a better place to use this acronym: You are SOL. You need to do whatever it takes to reinstall a new flange. You *may* be able to install a flange extender on top of the existing one. If so, you dodged a silver bullet.
Jason 30 Mar 2008, 07:04
I have a wall between my dining room and living room. I want to make it a
half wall and give both a more open feel. How do I determine if this is a
load bearing wall or not. This is in a 2 story home.
Thanks
AsktheBuilder 31 Mar 2008, 15:41
Jason,
You start by reading all of the columns in my Structural category. Read all of the comments under each column as well.
Rebecca 10 May 2008, 11:17
I will be installing a slate floor in my tiny bathroom. I've (well, my
father-in-law) removed the old floor all the way down to the original
flooring that seperates the main floor from the basement. I'm looking at it
and thinking that once I add an underlayment and set the tile, I'm
concerned the floor height will be too much for the toilet to be installed.
Can't have a bathroom without a toilet! What can I do?
David 31 May 2008, 12:38
I had a toilet isntalled in a new guesthouse, however when it flushes there
appears to be a bump in the PVC that let's the paper settle and not
continue flowing to the sewer. A plumber has come out but states he's
stumped and doesn't know how to correct this matter as the bump is
underneath the new home.
Is there something I can do?
Louise 15 Jul 2008, 09:08
We have installed a new toilet. After you flush there is a noise that comes
from either the toilet or the pipes, it is ahrd to tell. It sounds like a
harrummp nad lasts for just a moment. It also happens sometimes even when
the toilet has been inactive for a while. Do you have any suggestions for
why this is happening and how can it be fixed?
Mike Cummings 19 Jul 2008, 21:10
I have remodled my bathroom and installed a new toilet and a pvc to cast
iron flange. The toilet is now 3 inches from the wall. Is there a way
that the flange could be turned to make it closer to the wall or do they
make an offset flange for PVC to cast iron?
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