Toilet Renovation Vol.2: Toilet Removal Pt.1

u270fufe0f Originally published: January 3, 2017 / ud83dudd04 Updated: May 8, 2026

2026 DIY Dad’s Note: Toilet Renovation Overview & Removal

After finishing the kitchen, it was time for the toilet. A typical toilet renovation follows this sequence: remove the old toilet u2192 repair the floor u2192 replace the flooring u2192 finish the walls u2192 install the new toilet. I’ll be honest u2014 removing the toilet was heavier work than I expected!

What DIY Dad Tackled in the Toilet Renovation

• Toilet removal (disassembled in three parts: tank, seat, and base)
• Floor repair (plywood subfloor patching)
• Cushion floor (vinyl sheet) replacement
• Wall finish (diatomite/kieselguhr plaster)
• New toilet installation
• Water supply line and shut-off valve connection check

Step-by-Step Toilet Removal

Removal procedure for a tank-type toilet:

1. Close the shut-off valve (turn clockwise with a flat-head screwdriver)
2. Drain the tank and bowl (bail out with a bucket, then wipe dry with rags)
3. Disconnect the water supply line from the tank
4. Remove the tank from the base (2 bolts)
5. Remove the seat
6. Unscrew the base from the floor anchor bolts (2u20134 anchor bolts)
7. Lift and remove the toilet base u2014 it’s heavy! (20u201330 kg)

Trying to lift the base alone is a sure way to throw out your back. DIY Dad always works with at least two people for this step.

Sealing the Drain After Removal

Once the toilet is removed, sewer gases will rise from the open drain pipe while you work. Stuff a plastic bag or some rags into it as a temporary plug. Forget this step, and you’ll be working in some very unpleasant conditions!

A Landlord’s Perspective: Comfort Wins Tenants

After 15 years as a landlord, I can say with confidence that cleanliness and comfort in the toilet directly affect whether someone signs a lease. Simply replacing an old toilet with a new one can justify raising rent by u00a53,000u2013u00a55,000 per month u2014 and the applications still roll in.

A washlet (heated bidet toilet seat) is no longer optional u2014 it’s the standard in rental properties. Properties without one get passed over. DIY Dad has installed washlets in every unit.

ud83dudebd Thinking About a Toilet Renovation?

Even just replacing the toilet bowl makes a dramatic difference in the feel of a space. In this property, switching from a tank-type to a tankless toilet made the room feel noticeably larger u2014 a real eye-opener.

Water trouble u2014 leaks and clogs u2014 can spiral into a serious problem if ignored. When in doubt, call a professional right away.

24-Hour Emergency Plumbing Service u00bb

Hey there u2014 DIY Dad here!

Today was the last day of my New Year’s holiday, and I made the most of every minute! Let’s keep rolling with the 1st-floor toilet renovation. First up: removing anything that might be causing that smell.

I’m pulling out the toilet. Tools and materials used: impact driver, water pump pliers, screwdriver, and masking tape.

What to Check Before Installing a New Toilet

There are three key connection points to consider when replacing a toilet. The first and most obvious is space u2014 you need enough room for the toilet to fit. Then there’s the water supply and the drain. If you’re adding a washlet, there’s a fourth connection to think about: a power outlet.

If the space doesn’t work, you’d have to rethink the layout u2014 but in this case, everything checked out fine, so we moved straight ahead.

The water supply connection is flexible, handled with a hose or corrugated tube, so you have some wiggle room. The drain, however, comes in two types: wall-drain and floor-drain.

u2191 Wall-drain type.

u2191 Floor-drain type.

For floor-drain setups, there are remodel-type toilets that let you adjust the drain centerline position to some degree u2014 so you have more flexibility than with the supply line, but there are still some constraints.

u2191 Remodel-type toilet.

Lucky Break u2014 Standard Type Works!

So what type does this toilet turn out to be? DIY Dad got lucky! It’s a floor-drain setup, and the drain centerline matches the current toilet exactly u2014 no changes needed. That means a standard (non-remodel) toilet fits perfectly.

Standard-type toilets are slightly more affordable than remodel types and involve fewer installation steps. If the building had been any older, a remodel-type might not even have been able to accommodate the drain position, and I would’ve needed to reroute the drain pipe entirely u2014 plus add an outlet if the original toilet predated washlets. Time and money both add up fast.

That’s all for today u2014 see you next time!

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