Understanding when a professional should be contacted for projects around the home is important. If you are a do it yourself type of person, that is. You don’t want to be tackling a project that can cancel out your home insurance should something unfortunate happen. Typically, you can find out what a homeowner can and cannot do on his/her own through your local city or town office website.
You don’t need to hire a plumber to install a toilet. If water lines and sewage lines need to be moved, then a plumber must be contacted. If you are just attaching a toilet to an existing flange and an existing water supply line, it’s okay to do it yourself. Your local building code should allow that.
That said, if you’re asking the question on whether you should hire a plumber or not, then you need to verify for yourself by contacting your city or town office. Or as I suggested above, check out the website. It’s your responsibility to do your own due diligence. My experience, however is that you should be fine.
Do I Need a Plumber to Replace the Toilet?
You don’t even need a plumber to replace a toilet. You can hire a handyman or save yourself some money and do it yourself.
I would never try to discourage anyone from using a professional. If you feel that you would be more comfortable knowing that a plumber replaced the toilet, then by all means do it.
If you use a handyman, make sure to check for leaks before they leave after the installation. Check around the base of the toilet where it meets the floor and check where the tank is attached to the bowl. As well, check the water supply line on both ends for any droplets forming.
The great thing about taking out an existing toilet and replacing it is you have the blueprint right there in front of you. That and if you keep reading, I will give you instructions on replacing your toilet yourself.
Can I Change My Toilet Myself?
You might want to just change a toilet yourself and that’s just fine. It’s very easy to replace a toilet. You probably have the tools needed right now in your toolbox. All you might need extra is a toilet wax ring and a toilet supply line that spans between your toilet and the water supply valve.
Assuming you have a toilet flange in place and a shut off valve, here’s how to change the toilet yourself.
- Shut off the water to the existing toilet and flush the toilet. If you have a shop vacuum, suck out the remaining water in the tank. If not, then use a small container to scoop it out.
- Next, disconnect the existing water supply line to the toilet. Again, ensure the water is turned off before doing so.
- Then, using a crescent wrench, undo the toilet flange bolts. They are situated at the bottom sides of the toilet. One on each side. Just take the nut off.
- Now, having a designated place to set the old toilet, lift the toilet up off the flange bolts and place it out of the way. There might be a small amount of water that comes out of the toilet. Just wipe it up afterwards.
- Now that the old toilet is out of the way, scrape off any remaining bits of the old wax ring off the toilet flange.
- Take out the old toilet flange bolts and replace with the new pair that come with the new toilet.
- Now, set the new wax ring onto the flange, pressing it down so it envelops the bolts holding them in place.
- After putting the new toilet tank and bowl together, go ahead and set it onto the toilet flange. Pressing down lightly and squaring it up in relation to the back wall. Snug the toilet flange bolts up being careful not to over tighten as the bowl can crack if over tightened.
- Using the old or a new water supply line, go ahead and connect that now.
- Once everything is tightened up, turn on the water slowly allowing the tank to fill. Once full, flush the toilet to ensure there is no leak at the flange or between the tank and bowl.
That’s just how easy it is to change and install a toilet yourself!
How Long Does It Take to Replace a Toilet?
If you do attempt to replace a toilet yourself or just want to know how long a plumber might take to do the job, here’s how long it will take, approximately.
If you do it yourself and you have no experience, you can expect it to take up to an hour. It probably won’t take that long but if you run into a snag, an hour is about how long it takes to do this job for most people.
If you call out a plumber, you can expect the job to take less than an hour.
How Much Does a Plumber Charge to Replace a Toilet?
If after all of this, you still want to call a plumber you can expect to pay $150 to $300, depending on how far the plumber has to drive and what extra materials they have to supply.
If it’s a straight install not a replacement and the flange and shut off valve are ready for installation, you might not have to pay more than $225.
These are just estimates based on my region.
You should be aware that most plumbing companies will charge you a shop rate just for showing up at your door. Where I live, that’s about $100. Then add on the hour labor charge and any extra materials.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I just want to point out again that you don’t need to contact a plumber to install a toilet if the toilet flange and the water supply are finished and ready for a toilet to be hooked up.
Whether you attempt to install the toilet is obviously up to you. Be aware that when a toilet is assembled, it is heavy and can be awkward to lift and place on the flange over the bolts.
My tip is to straddle the sides of the bowl with your legs and lift the toilet by grabbing onto the lip of the bowl right in front of the tank. Never lift the toilet by the tank. You will have to take small steps and work your way to the flange.
Aside from that, a toilet installation is so easy I think anyone that can lift the toilet should be able to install it.
Good luck with your project.
Related Posts
How Do You Know When to Replace a Toilet Flapper?
Can a Handyman Install a Toilet?
Does Flooring Go Under the Toilet Flange?
Will a Toilet Unclog Itself? (Here’s How to Fix It)
