BEFORE & AFTER: How to Install a Toilet Yourself - Thrift Diving

****NOTE: In the video, I caulked the toilet. I have not caulked other toilets, but I decided to caulk this one per instructions in a Handyman article that suggested it. Many have noted NOT to caulk so that leaks can easily be detected. I would agree now, years later, that I would likely not caulk again. Skip the caulk. And there have been no leaks, by the way. ;)

//MATERIALS// (affiliate links included)

Bucket with a cup for removing excess water
Gloves
Towels
Screwdriver
Ratchet and socket wrench (optional)
Hack saw (optional, for removing rusted bolts or cutting down long bolts)

//BATHROOM WEEK//

Catch up with my other bathroom videos!

How to Paint a Bathtub and Clean It -- Does It Last??

Half-Bathroom Makeover

How to Paint a Bathroom Vanity

//PROJECT GALLERY//

Check out my Project Gallery:

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Serena Appiah
P.O. Box 463
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[virginiagarland]

Great job and thanks for the tips. I will be installing two toilets myself - all alone. And vinyl flooring. Love doing things myself and 74 years old to add to that.

[jessicaclaughton]

Thank you, this is so helpful! As a woman doing my entire bathroom remodel by myself, I’m loving the girl power! You gave me all the extra confidence I needed! Your bathroom looks beautiful!

[sunshinemodels]

pro tip: leave an uncaulked space around both sides of the flange area to spot leaks early.. since this one is caulked all the way around, it will contain any water and likely cause premature mildew, mold, decay and rot in flooring and subfloor

[tylerc]

A helpful tip: Should've replaced the angle stop (water valve @ the wall) because it's most likely as old as your last toilet and that rubber washer inside *will* deteriorate on you over time, meaning the next time you need to shut the water off, you won't be able to. You don't want that kind of angle stop, you want to get the quarter turn kind which use a ball valve to stop the flow, no rubber washer needed. You have the compression type which, if you get lucky, can be replaced by unscrewing the valve from the nut and fitting a new valve in it's place. All in all, you did a fantastic job for your first time, even though the caulking was a bit preempted. Good job.

[jillpittman]

Arguing w my husband whether we can replace a toilet ourselves and now feel empowered. Representation matters - thanks for boldly whipping that toilet around. 💗

[georgebayley]

I'm so proud of you taking on this task and despite the few challenges, you endured to the end. I'm planning on installing my own toilet to save me money. After seeing this, I'm totally psyched.

[tommyddurand]

this is a wonderful video. i love how you show the mistakes or weird things that could happen like the noise -- that really comforts me in knowing things that could go wrong or don't seem quite right. always boggles my mind how great videos can manage to get 641 dislikes, but i guess some people are just sour.

[bevy]

Thank You so much. I'm getting ready to renovate the walls the run behind the toilet and vanity. After your Video, I'm confident I can remove and replace the toilet myself. Can't wait to see the Vanity renovation.

[smileyfaces]

I love how you show your mess ups and what you did wrong.

[mattjames]

Very well done!! I love your vids! You make everything look easy. The only thing I would change is the caulk. I don't ever caulk the bottom of toilets. The reason is because how would you know if it is leaking once you caulk it. Think about it. If you seal the bottom and it is leaking then the water will just destroy everything below the toilet and you wouldn't know till it was too late.

[virginiatruax]

As a young woman preparing a toilet replacement in a apartment i found the video easy to follow and now i have the jiff what what im doing though I thought the entire house/apartment water supply had to be turned off first. All in all im glad ill be able to visualize it in my head while i do it so, thank you!

[Astro_Mozart]

Thank you so much for a thorough tutorial. As a mom who decided out of the blue to remodel her bathroom, this helps tremendously. It’s even better that I feel represented and seen. Thank you!

[brittanybogard]

You inspire me!!! I just moved in my house and am now not afraid to tackle the DIY projects alone.

[NancyCheung]

I THOROUGHLY enjoyed this video!!!! You are concise, straight-to-the-point, and well-spoken! You are literally everything I look for in a how-to video! As a fellow female do-it-yourselfer, I wish you did videos for EVERYTHING! ( I can't stand the videos that are LONG and drone on and on as the speaker is explaining their thought process and how they came to the idea of making that video.) I love your style and I will definitely be following you!!! Keep doing what you do!!!!

[prinhana]

Mu husband saw me watching this video.
He gave me really cheering one word, “NOPE”

You are

[jessicaramos]

I just replaced my toilet. This video helped me tremendously. I didn't think I could do it, but it was easier than I thought.
Thank you so much.

[joanntukes]

I love your transparency. Your way still worked, the bathroom looks great. I want a tall boy toilet, relief to the knees 😂

[frankensteinsbride]

I love that you share what you might have done wrong or not so great cause in that way we all learn what not to do. And I’m sure it happens to a lot of people too so we won’t feel as bad if we screw up hahaha

[angelmission]

Nice job. I did read somewhere that it might be a good idea to leave the caulk off a small area toward back in case of a leak, so you actually know there is a leak in time to fix before floor rots out.

[oneluv]

Great Job!!! Several weeks ago I reinstalled my mother’s toilet and I used the new waxless ring...genius product!!!