You may be fitting a new toilet for several reasons, the most likely being your current one is unfashionable or has a fault. The soil pipe - as the name may suggest - is the waste pipe at the back or base of the toilet, where everything goes once you flush. I used Sikaflex 11FC to fix the toilet pan to the tiles. The design features the cistern, or water tank, directly above the toilet bowl, the pan, - making it closely coupled together. When properly connected, the toilet rests on top of the toilet flange, with the wax ring providing a seal to the floor. Fit new pan with a modern rubber gasket jointed pan connector that is suitable for the pipe. Your toilet may have silicone around the base to make it more secure, if so, this can be removed by cutting through it with a sharp knife. Just make sure are no pipes under the floor when you secure them. A properly sized extender raises the flange height to within 1/16 inch of the floor surface. Now for the main event - fitting your new toilet. Judging by it, it should be screwed directly into the floor. The toilet flange is a pipe fitting that both connects the outflow pipe to the toilet and the toilet to the floor. Step 4. Lay a level lengthwise on the back of the toilet tank, then sit backward on the toilet, straddling the bowl and shifting your weight to make the toilet level. Most loos come with screws and caps to secure the pan to the floor, but you may not get anything to secure the cistern to the wall. Hi, Just about to fit a back to wall toilet pan and I am a bit confused at how it should be fitted to the floor. Apply a final bead of sealant around the base of the toilet pan and smooth off with a damp sponge. The toilet flange is a pipe fitting that both connects the outflow pipe to the toilet and the toilet to the floor. A bead of caulk is often placed around the base of the toilet to further seal the toilet to the floor. All I can see is a large ring of cement at floor level. Divide this number by 2 Now the toilet is completely isolated from the plumbing so that you can unscrew the screws placed on the two sides near the base that act as anchorage to the floor. He has written for regional newspapers such as "The Metro Forum" and the "West Tennessee Examiner." Screw the pan to the floor and the cistern to the wall, then, remove the cover you placed on the soil pipe and connect the pan to it with a connector. John has a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Memphis State University. You can tell whether there are any obstructions through plans or with a detector. Place the toilet in position, then mark the wall fixing holes for the cistern as well as the base of the pan. Carefully lift the cistern and position it in place on the pan. Hi All I have a new toilet to fit and it came with no fittings or instructions. Fit the toilet seat by inserting the bolts through the pan and adding a washer and nut. the instructions should have come with the toilet. These are not polished tiles. Removing the toilet means loosening the bolts that connect it to the flange on the floor. Remove the nuts on the anchor bolts located on the base of the toilet and then lift the toilet straight up. Fit the washers onto the bolts and then secure them. Mount the toilet on the extended flange, apply wood floor caulk around the toilet base and you're done fixing the toilet to the wooden floor. The holes are vertical so doesn't look … The only successful method is to employ a plumber and fit a new pan. Steve used an Oatey 4″ replacement toilet … The flange ring has either four or six mounting holes and two slots, into which the heads of the two flange, or closet, bolts are installed so that the bolts will fit up through the toilet's mounting holes. Set the toilet aside, then check for wires and pipes before drilling the holes into the floor. 11. To fit a toilet with L shaped clamps, simply: • Fit the toilet to the soil pipe and push it back to the wall into place • Grab a pencil and mark on the floor where the holes are • Disconnect the toilet again and place it upside down • Loosely fit the screws through the toilet and into the L shape brackets and measure with a tape measure the distance between the two holes. Close-coupled toilets come in a range of styles, particularly with Plumbworld, which are explained below: The equipment and tools needed to fit a toilet, particularly if you’re replacing an old one, can vary, but the standard tools are: Whether you’re fitting a new model, your current one is faulty, or your new loo is part of a bathroom suite, you have to remove the old toilet. It’s simple, the watertight seal between the toilet bowl and wax ring will eventually fail. If you examine the bottom of the toilet bowl, you will see an outlet hole for waste to exit down the drain. Do I need to fix something to the floor underneath the pan so that I can screw through and fix ? If the bolts are covered with a plastic cap, use the screwdriver to pop them off. Once your old toilet is clean and dry, you need to get rid of it. How I perform this is to put the toilet onto the floor in its desired location, place some small packers or wedges under the toilet to raise it by approx 2 to 3 millimeters and until a level toilet pan is achieved (this providing the floor slope is not to drastic, I don't like to have a larger gap than 5 or 6 millimeters at the front of the pan when using silicone), then go around the whole base of the toilet pan … Reattach the water inlet pipe with your wrench, being careful not to have it too tight. Cleaning equipment - bucket, sponge, detergent. Always take care when drilling into tiles, using the necessary safety equipment. In order for this not to happen the toilet flange must sit above the finished floor by at least 1/4″. There is also a wax-free seal available, which is made from PVC. Step 19. A proper connection is very important, and not only involves how the toilet connects to the floor, but also how the toilet connects to the drainpipe, through which water and waste will flow. You may also like these posts…. Use a spirit level to ensure the new pan is fitted level in both directions. Just mark out, screw the plastic brackets to the floor, (timber in my case) fit the toilet over the brackets and attach with screws and collars provided, fit the trim caps, job done! Setting aside the toilet, check for any wires and pipes before drilling the holes into the floor and wall. I have just down a dry-fit of our new toilet. Check the bolts and wax seal/ring on the soil pipe - if you have a seal. If there is a small amount of water left, soak it up using a towel. My toilet has become a little wobbly I've noticed that the screws that fix it to the floor are not actually screwed in but just sit in their holes with the exception of one. Whether you’re a professional plumber or looking to save on costs and fit it yourself, Plumbworld has made this step-by-step guide to help you through the process. The object is to seat the wax ring while leveling the commode; the seal must not be broken once it … To dispose of a toilet properly, it needs to be taken to a household waste recycling centre - otherwise known as a dump or tip. The floor of my toilet is concrete so the previous owners somehow managed to install a toilet without screwing it down to the floor but it did not move, so I can only assume that he used something like no more nails or super glue (Lol). You may need to make up a mortar mix to bed the new pan onto the floor if it is a solid and uneven floor. Toilet pan has holes couple inches up both sides of pan rather than holes vertical at base. The the centre of this soil pipe is 250mm (10") from the outside wall. Do not over-tighten, as this may crack the porcelain. Follow our step-by-step process below for removing a toilet: When removing a toilet, you need to make sure there is no water in the cistern or pan. Should you fit your toilet before or after fitting your tiles? Drill your pilot holes then, use a 10mm drill bit to finish the holes. You can't reattach a WC pan to the ground by repairing the cement/mortar base or the rotted screws (in a wooden floor). You could even call ahead to see if they take toilets. Check beforehand, or once there, find the best place to leave and dispose of it. The flange bolts that fit up through the toilet's mounting holes are each held secure by a washer and nut, thus providing the toilet's connection to both the floor and the drain. Then, insert the fixing bolts, threading them through the holes in the cistern, using the included rubber and metal washers. How to Install a Toilet on an Unlevel Floor. A pair of rubber washers available from any DIY store help to cushion the screws against the ceramic cistern. Another tip,when you have marked the tiles where to drill, place a strip of maskingtape over te mark and then drill through this will stop the tile from cracking, don't have the drill on hammer action either! Now screw the pan to the floor and the cistern … Fit the toilet. A properly installed toilet-to-floor connection is vital to not only prevent the occurrence of leaking from underneath the toilet bowl, but also prevent sewer gases from entering the room and house through the drainpipe. Remember not to fit the washers too tightly - this could damage the toilet over time and become a problem the next time you fit a new loo. If you’ve bought a new toilet that lines up with your old ones fixing holes, great. Team. How to fit a Toilet Flush Pipe includes 10 top questions asked. Wear gloves so your skin isn’t harmed by cleaning chemicals or open to germs and bacteria. At the base of the toilet, you’ll see bolts fixing it to the floor which will need to be removed with a screwdriver. Once removed, cover the soil pipe and seal it using a bag or cloth - anything, really - and secure it in place. 4. I know that modern pans all discharge from the back so I know I will need a 90 deg connector of some sort. Most toilet flanges are 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch thick and are designed to fit either a 3-inch or 4-inch pipe. Find more bathroom advice and buying guides by reading the Plumbworld blog. To apply the adhesive, lift the pan approximately 8mm from the floor using suitable packing pieces. One of the final steps is to detach your old loo from the soil pipe. We asked the experts. Toilets can get pretty dirty, so, before proceeding with removing it, clean the toilet thoroughly. The wax ring is just that--a ring made of wax and designed to fit the particular toilet flange that is used, for either 3-inch or 4-inch waste lines. A damaged, leaky wax ring is often the culprit in a leak from underneath the toilet. A close coupled toilet is the most common model of a toilet in UK homes, and it is easy to identify thanks to its “L”-shape. Bolt the toilet down, using the two bolts on the sides of the toilet to secure it firmly. Lift and position your toilet in the correct place, checking it’s level with a spirit level. Cisterns are always connected to the pan but the connection can vary from toilet to toilet. Check around for any leaks. Turn the water to the toilet off. i always tile the floor first then fit the toilet, sink pedestal etc, it always gives for a smarter finish. Jim 5 / 5. For drilling into a concrete floor, you’ll need masonry drill bits. Why? Put your toilet back into position. What Sort of Flooring is best for the Bathroom? A cistern is fed water via a pipe, it’s now time to disconnect it - use an adjustable wrench to do so. He had tiled the toilet floor completely then placed the toilet pan on top of the tiled floor! To attach the toilet seat, read our Bathroom DIY posts here, including how to replace a toilet seat. If you are fitting the toilet to a concrete floor, you will need to use a masonry drill bit and wall plugs. As you will be aware, virtually all new toilet pans have horizontal outlets and on most of these the "spigot to wall" distance is considerably less than 250mm (often as small as 65mm but typically around 150mm). The cistern should come with holes in the back - so you won’t have to drill any in it. The cost of fitting a toilet by a professional plumber can vary depending on the type of toilet you want. It is level west-east and north-south ... measure. See attached photos. Repairing a toilet seal requires you to unbolt the toilet from the floor, replace the seal and then put the toilet back in its original position. Christopher John has been a freelance journalist since 2003. The flange itself is mounted on top of the drainpipe. The cistern holds enough water so that when you release the water, it will flush away what is inside the pan. It can be handy to have some old towels just in case there are any problems. Remove any dust or loose materials from the tiles. This isn’t as daunting as it appears if you’re doing it yourself, and this is a simple, easy-to-follow step-by-step guide: Before you get the cistern and pipes, assemble and fit the flushing mechanism - a button or handle. I want to replace a toilet, but the existing pan discharges downwards (ground floor). Read on to find out how to fit a new toilet, dispose of your old one and the potential cost of installing a toilet…. Step 20. when making cuts it is very important to remember to take measurements from the centre of the flush pipes. Put your toilet back into position. Whatever the reason may be, the majority of toilets are very similar when it comes to installation. Some toilets have four mounting holes with two on each side. Styles of toilets. Step 11 Put the toilet into position and secure the pan to the floor brackets with the provided fixings. This is called the toilet horn. Replace them if necessary - you may well have new ones come with the new toilet. Have a final clean-up of the toilet area, such as the floor. Regardless of their manufacturer, toilets usually connect to the floor by following the same basic principles. The Best Ways to Clean Any Shower | How to Seal a Bath Properly | What Size Bath do you Need? If the screw is moved around in the hole it appears that there is nothing for it to grip onto, I can't feel a raw plug in there - … Either method of will almost 100% result in breaking the pan, removing the old mortar, or trying to remove the old screws and fit newer larger ones. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, remembering to fit sealing rings where necessary. Adjust as required to fit the toilet pan shape. This is the most unpleasant part of the job. Choosing Bathroom Taps for a Freestanding Bath, Design Inspiration: Traditional Bathroom Design Ideas, Common Saniflo Problems and Their Solutions, Everything You Need to Know About Bathroom Ventilation, Bathroom DIY: How to Remove Bathroom Mould. The shims should be inset 1/4 inch from the outside edge of the toilet. This collar is designed to help prevent any leaks. Don’t fit anything too tightly, this may prevent your toilet from flushing properly. You can do this before reconnecting the water, it’s up to you, but once your toilet is fitted and functioning, it helps to use silicone sealant for added security at the base. ... minus the measurements from the floor to the centre of the toilet pan inlet, again as long as the floor is level. (I used four pencils under the pan, located at the "four corners" so that it sat level in its final position). The existing toilet pan has a bottom outlet and enters the soil pipe in the floor. To fix the toilet down, squirt a generous amount of the Sikaflex adhesive under the gap. Leaking sewer gases can be both dangerous and unhealthy. Switch off your water supply, using the isolation valve on the water pipe, and then flush the toilet until there’s no water left. The base of the toilet is usually designed with two mounting holes, one on each side. Apply a final bead of sealant. Screw the toilet to the floor and wall. Now, it’s time to connect the two parts of the toilet together. This pipe can still have water in it, so, to be safe, place a towel or shallow tub underneath to catch it and avoid a wet floor. Score the floor tiles with a tile cutter or angle grinder to allow the bedding to set on a roughened surface to ensure adequate binding. Is there a good way of securing the toilet to porcelain tiles? Thanks Mark Wait for the cistern to fill with water - ensuring there are no leaks - and then flush the toilet. Not even with a bit of KY. Then I suggest you remove the old pan collar completely and replace it with a new one. The remaining water can be drained into a bucket by disconnecting the water line on the tank, or you can use a wet vacuum. Few toilets are installed on a floor so unlevel that you have a good chance of falling off the side before you finish your business. If the base of the toilet has been fixed to the floor with cement or silicon, a chisel and hammer might be needed to detach it. So with the toilet out of the way you have replaced the rubber and tried to reassemble the pan collar but the sleeve part which was removed to get the old seal out to replace with the new will not clip/seat back on. Like attaching the cistern to the pan, don’t screw the bolts in too tightly. At the same time, assemble any interior parts of the cistern, such as the pump, and fit them. If everything is clear, drill the holes in the wall and floor. First you need to know that every toilet has 2 main components — the cistern (or water tank) and the pan (that you sit on). I can't see how to fix to pan or floor as once sited how do I get to behind holes. This simple to fit kit ensures a neat and solid way to fix the toilet pan to the floor. The wax seal is placed over the toilet horn when the toilet is being installed. If the toilet flange sits below the finished floor, the toilet will leak. Part 1 of 2: Remove the Toilet. 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