How to Move a Toilet Drain Pipe: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Move a Toilet Drain

Your toilet drain is a vital part of your plumbing system. It carries away waste and prevents your home from flooding. But what happens if your toilet drain is clogged or damaged? You may need to move it to access the problem and make repairs.

Moving a toilet drain is a relatively simple task, but it does require some planning and preparation. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of moving a toilet drain, step-by-step. We’ll also provide tips on how to avoid common mistakes.

So if you’re faced with a clogged or damaged toilet drain, don’t despair. With a little patience and effort, you can move it yourself and get your plumbing system back in working order.

Step Instructions Image
1 Turn off the water supply to the toilet. Turn off the water supply to the toilet
2 Remove the toilet tank lid. Remove the toilet tank lid
3 Locate the bolts that hold the toilet to the floor. Locate the bolts that hold the toilet to the floor
4 Use a wrench to loosen the bolts. Use a wrench to loosen the bolts
5 Carefully lift the toilet off the floor. Carefully lift the toilet off the floor
6 Disconnect the water supply line and the drain line. Disconnect the water supply line and the drain line
7 Move the toilet to the desired location. Move the toilet to the desired location
8 Reattach the water supply line and the drain line. Reattach the water supply line and the drain line
9 Replace the toilet tank lid. Replace the toilet tank lid
10 Turn on the water supply to the toilet. Turn on the water supply to the toilet

A toilet drain is a critical part of your plumbing system. It allows wastewater to flow out of your home and into the sewer. If your toilet drain is clogged, it can cause a number of problems, including:

  • A slow-draining toilet
  • A backed-up toilet
  • A foul smell
  • Plumbing damage

If you’re experiencing any of these problems, you may need to move your toilet drain. This can be a difficult and time-consuming task, but it’s important to do it correctly to avoid further damage to your plumbing system.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of moving a toilet drain. We’ll provide detailed instructions and tips, so you can complete the task safely and efficiently.

Identifying the Problem

The first step is to identify the problem with your toilet drain. Here are some common signs of a clogged drain:

  • A slow-draining toilet
  • A backed-up toilet
  • A foul smell
  • Plumbing damage

If you’re experiencing any of these problems, you’ll need to take action to fix the issue.

To identify the exact cause of the problem, you’ll need to inspect the toilet drain. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Turn off the water supply to the toilet.
2. Remove the toilet tank lid.
3. Look inside the tank for any obstructions.
4. If you see any obstructions, remove them with a plunger or a toilet auger.
5. Flush the toilet to see if the problem is resolved.

If the problem is not resolved, you may need to move the toilet drain.

Gathering the Tools and Materials

Before you can move your toilet drain, you’ll need to gather the necessary tools and materials. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • A hacksaw
  • A plumber’s putty
  • A new toilet flange
  • A new wax ring
  • A bucket
  • A plunger
  • A toilet auger
  • A flashlight
  • A pair of gloves

Moving the Toilet Drain

Now that you’ve gathered the necessary tools and materials, you can move your toilet drain. Here’s how to do it:

1. Turn off the water supply to the toilet.
2. Remove the toilet tank lid.
3. Disconnect the water supply line from the toilet.
4. Remove the toilet bolts from the floor.
5. Lift the toilet off the floor and set it aside.
6. Locate the toilet drain pipe.
7. Cut the pipe with a hacksaw.
8. Apply plumber’s putty to the new toilet flange.
9. Insert the new toilet flange into the drain opening.
10. Apply plumber’s putty to the bottom of the new wax ring.
11. Place the new wax ring on the toilet flange.
12. Set the toilet on the new wax ring.
13. Secure the toilet to the floor with the toilet bolts.
14. Connect the water supply line to the toilet.
15. Turn on the water supply to the toilet.
16. Flush the toilet to test the new drain.

Moving a toilet drain is a difficult and time-consuming task, but it’s important to do it correctly to avoid further damage to your plumbing system. By following the steps in this guide, you can safely and efficiently move your toilet drain.

Here are some additional tips for moving a toilet drain:

  • Make sure to wear gloves to protect your hands.
  • Work slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the pipes.
  • If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, hire a professional plumber.

3. Removing the Old Drain

To remove the old drain, you will need the following tools:

  • A plunger
  • A hacksaw
  • A screwdriver
  • A bucket
  • A pair of gloves
  • A shop vac

1. First, turn off the water supply to the toilet. This can be done by turning the valve located under the sink or behind the toilet.
2. Next, flush the toilet to drain any water that may be remaining in the bowl.
3. Place the bucket under the toilet drain to catch any water that may spill out when you remove the drain.
4. Use the screwdriver to loosen the nuts that secure the drain to the toilet.
5. Once the nuts are loose, use the hacksaw to cut the bolts that hold the drain in place.
6. Carefully remove the drain from the toilet.
7. Use the shop vac to clean up any debris that may have fallen into the bucket.

What are the potential risks involved in removing the old drain?

There are a few potential risks involved in removing the old drain, including:

  • Cutting yourself on the sharp edges of the drain.
  • Spilling water on the floor.
  • Damaging the toilet.
  • Inhaling harmful fumes from the sewer.

To minimize the risks, be sure to wear gloves and eye protection when removing the drain. Turn off the water supply to the toilet before you begin. And be careful not to spill any water on the floor. If you are concerned about damaging the toilet, you may want to have a professional plumber remove the drain for you.

4. Installing the New Drain

To install the new drain, you will need the following tools:

  • A new drain
  • A plumber’s putty
  • A screwdriver
  • A bucket
  • A pair of gloves
  • A shop vac

1. First, turn off the water supply to the toilet. This can be done by turning the valve located under the sink or behind the toilet.
2. Next, flush the toilet to drain any water that may be remaining in the bowl.
3. Place the bucket under the toilet drain to catch any water that may spill out when you install the new drain.
4. Apply a small amount of plumber’s putty to the threads of the new drain.
5. Carefully insert the new drain into the toilet bowl.
6. Use the screwdriver to tighten the nuts that secure the drain to the toilet.
7. Turn on the water supply to the toilet.
8. Flush the toilet to test the new drain.

What are the potential risks involved in installing the new drain?

There are a few potential risks involved in installing the new drain, including:

  • Cutting yourself on the sharp edges of the drain.
  • Spilling water on the floor.
  • Damaging the toilet.
  • Inhaling harmful fumes from the sewer.

To minimize the risks, be sure to wear gloves and eye protection when installing the drain. Turn off the water supply to the toilet before you begin. And be careful not to spill any water on the floor. If you are concerned about damaging the toilet, you may want to have a professional plumber install the drain for you.

How do I move a toilet drain?

To move a toilet drain, you will need to:

1. Shut off the water supply to the toilet.
2. Remove the toilet from the floor.
3. Cut the old drain pipe.
4. Install a new drain pipe.
5. Connect the new drain pipe to the toilet.
6. Turn on the water supply to the toilet.

Here are more detailed instructions for each step:

1. Shut off the water supply to the toilet by turning the shutoff valve located behind the toilet clockwise.
2. Remove the toilet from the floor by loosening the bolts that connect the toilet to the floor flange.
3. Cut the old drain pipe using a hacksaw or reciprocating saw. Make sure to cut the pipe below the toilet flange.
4. Install a new drain pipe by inserting it into the toilet flange and securing it with a coupling nut.
5. Connect the new drain pipe to the toilet by inserting the toilet bowl into the drain pipe and securing it with bolts.
6. Turn on the water supply to the toilet and check for leaks.

What tools do I need to move a toilet drain?

You will need the following tools to move a toilet drain:

  • A hacksaw or reciprocating saw
  • A coupling nut
  • A wrench
  • A screwdriver
  • A bucket
  • A plunger

How much does it cost to move a toilet drain?

The cost of moving a toilet drain will vary depending on the size and complexity of the project. However, you can expect to pay between $100 and $200 for the materials and labor.

Can I move a toilet drain myself?

Yes, you can move a toilet drain yourself if you have the necessary tools and skills. However, it is important to be careful when working with water and plumbing fixtures. If you are not comfortable working with plumbing, you may want to hire a professional plumber to do the job for you.

What are the risks of moving a toilet drain?

There are a few risks associated with moving a toilet drain, including:

  • Water damage: If you damage the water supply line or the drain pipe, you could cause a leak that could damage your floor or walls.
  • Plumbing problems: If you do not install the new drain pipe correctly, you could experience plumbing problems, such as clogs or leaks.
  • Electrical shock: If you do not turn off the power to the toilet before you start working, you could be at risk of electrical shock.

It is important to be aware of these risks and take steps to mitigate them before you start working on the project.

In this blog post, we have discussed how to move a toilet drain. We first discussed the reasons why you might need to move a toilet drain, and then we provided step-by-step instructions on how to do so. We also discussed some of the potential risks involved in moving a toilet drain, and we offered some tips for avoiding these risks.

We hope that this blog post has been helpful. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Author Profile

Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell is the owner of toiletty.com. She is a mom of two and is very passionate about home improvement.

Liana has ten years of home improvement experience, and in her own words, she said: “I love improving the home, and I’m very passionate about keeping the home in the best possible condition. I love it!”

Liana Farrell balances beauty and functionality when she goes about her home improvement jobs.