Find out how easily an old toilet can be replaced with a new one. Hear about the finishing touches that make a toilet replacement successful, such as replacing the wax seal and using fresh bolts on your new toilet.
LESLIE: Joe in Wisconsin needs some help working on a toilet repair. What can we do for you?
JOE: Well, I’m looking to replace a pretty old toilet with something – well, with a new one, of course – and I’m curious as to the base mount of them. The newer toilets all seem to have a much larger outlet than the older models do. Can I – will it still bolt into the same position or do I need to get another floor – or another drain put in the floor?
TOM: No. For the most part, the flanges still are going to line up, even though the bases might be a bit wider. The actual flange itself is probably still going to be the same. The reason they may look wider is because the traps – the internal traps in the toilets that are low-flow [1] – are actually wider. That trapway has been expanded and it’s also been glazed on the inside so it doesn’t restrict the flow of waste – that’s one of the ways they’re able to make a toilet work with less water – but the actual plumbing connection, itself, should be the same.
JOE: OK. So then there’s no change; it’s just a simple – take the bolts out, drop on the new one and it’ll fit.
TOM: That’s right. It should fit the first time and make sure you replace the wax seal [2] and you may need to get some new bolts but other than that, you should be good to go. OK, Joe?
JOE: Thanks a lot.
TOM: You’re welcome. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.
Links:
[1] http://moneypit.com/search/google?cx=000062179007495467815%3Ahb6mwrom5ua%26amp;cof=FORID%3A10%26amp;query=low-flow%26amp;form_build_id=form-ef0d322dd54e799613173f085dc1c3a8%26amp;form_token=5e90e59df0f785383a0b21891116e665%26amp;form_id=google_cse_searchbox_form#1131
[2] http://moneypit.com/audio-q-a/mold-bathroom-floor