Building Skills

How to Remove a Toilet

comments (4) June 22nd, 2012

Rob Wotzak, Web Producer

Video Length: 7:25
Produced by: Cari Delahanty, Patrick McCombe, and Rob Wotzak

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If you've ever had to remove a toilet, you know it can be a real struggle. We brought in plumber Mike Lombardi to share his tips for making this dirty job a little easier.

posted in: bathroom, plumbing

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Comments (4)

enduringcharm writes: I don't have that kind of time for removal! I have a much faster method. Both of the big-box home supply stores sell a cheap wet-vac head that attaches to the top of a plastic bucket. I think home depot calls it a "bucket head" or some such thing. It has a narrow hose but very good suction.

I turn off the water and flush once. Then the bucket head vac sucks out the top of the tank, the water in the bowl AND in the trap in under a minute. When I break the supply line connection I keep the vac on and it sucks up any dribble from there. I have removed all of the water in literally a minute and I carry it out in the bucket to dump without ever having touched any unsanitary conditions. I use this bucket vac exclusively for this purpose. Back at the shop I'll spray a little bleach in the bucket to keep it fresh.
Posted: 9:43 am on July 13th

semar writes: the sponge system cleans the tank and bowl very well.
I am not that squeamish with the desinfection since the water is clean and you are not cleaning out waste;you can always wear some gloves.
Removing the tank is also good if you are working alone.
Instead of the piece of plywood or cardboard I use a garbage bag (big enough) and set the bowl right into it. That way nothing gets on the floor or on anything while you are carrying the toilet thru the house. Clean up underside takes place outside/garage.
When re-installing the toilet I now use waxless drainconnection. No mess - and can be reused.
I also do not seal around the toiletbase. If it ever leaks I can see it right away and fix it. If it gets sealed the leak will go into your subfloor and when you see it then the damage is much greater and will cost a lot more to repair.
I also get rid of the toilet first before I remove the surrounding drywall :=)
Posted: 3:36 pm on July 9th

Cornelius99 writes: I like to clean the toilet before removal.
Posted: 9:47 am on June 25th

789456123 writes: I use a shop vac to suck out the water. Keeps my hands out of bacteria invested water.

The partial pale was a good idea.
Posted: 8:24 am on June 23rd

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