Seems like we remove a toilet at least once a month. I’ve seen a lot of people use various techniques to not spill water as they moved the toilet through the house – sponges, a piece of visqueen stuck to the old wax ring, tipping the toilet on it’s side in the bath tub before carrying it out…
We recently tried sucking the water out of the tank and bowl with a wet/dry shop vac. Worked great and made me wonder why I’d never heard of it before.
Just thought I’d pass it on.
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Replies
I have used a wet/dry several times.
My main problem is that the vac is usually full of DW dust.
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
That's the way I've done it the past several times, ever since I read the suggestion on the internet some years back.
I put a plastic trash bag on the floor and set the bowl in it. Then I lift the bag around the bowl and carry it out. No need for a shop vac.
Edit:
BTW, if you know the toilet is leaving the room, having the bag ready on the floor avoids the whole wax mess too. Once outside, whether the toilet goes to a temporary location or on the truck, the bag allows you to set it down without contaminating everything.
Edited 5/24/2008 3:38 pm ET by Sasquatch
I recentlly got myself a hand operated bilge pump from a sporting-outdoor store. It looks like an overegrown bicycle pump with a30" or nson hose on it. I just stick the barel of the pump in the bowl, and the hose will reach the tub or sink. A couple of strokes and its almost empty. I used to have a small electric pump like you see at U-haul to empty waterbeds,, but it gave up the ghost. Never had a spill once i used this.
Stemreno
I just dump 2-3 gallons of water thru it fast--that clears the trap.
Then I put it 'away' or use a skateboard to roll it around.
Skateboards are underestimated, overlooked 'material handling' tools in remodeling.
I use one all the time. You can turn with 'em, you know. Just get a flat one.
I flush the toilet several times...last flush I add some chlorox to help sanitize it. Then, I disconnet water feed. I use a plunger to force as much water out of the trap as possible, and I sponge and paper towel the tank dry.
Then,I do the same technique as Sasquatch, I remove the johnnie bolts, lift the toilet and set it inside a heavy duty garbage bag. I wrap the bag up and over the tank and tie it off. Then I carry the toilet outside with a helper, ( when I have one available).
The bag definately keeps the mess inside and prevents unwanted spills. Also, seeing a toilet sitting out in the front yard wrapped in a garbage bag just doesn't look quite as bad as when you see a regular "porcelain throne" sitting out front for all the neighbors to see.
I like the idea of using skateboards...gonna have to try that one.
Davo
I've got a small 18v dewalt shop vac. I always dump the vac first and pull the filter an suck the water out of the tank and bowl (after its been flushed), carry it outside dump it and hose it out and leave it turned upside down to drain. works great and you can still use it for drywall dust because the filter will be dry.
dug