How to Remove a Toilet and Cap It Off for a Home Sale (Step-by-Step Guide)

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How to Remove a Toilet and Cap It Off

If you’re remodeling your bathroom or replacing your toilet, you’ll need to know how to remove the old toilet and cap off the plumbing lines. This process is relatively simple, but it’s important to follow the steps carefully to avoid damaging your plumbing.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of removing a toilet and capping off the plumbing lines. We’ll also provide tips on how to avoid common mistakes.

So if you’re ready to learn how to remove a toilet, read on!

Step Instructions Image
1 Turn off the water supply to the toilet. This is usually located under the sink or behind the toilet.
2 Remove the nuts that hold the toilet to the floor. These are usually located on the back of the toilet.
3 Lower the toilet and carefully remove it from the floor.
4 Cap off the drain pipe with a cap or plug.

Removing a toilet is a relatively simple task that can be completed in about an hour. However, it is important to follow the proper steps to avoid damaging the toilet or the plumbing. This guide will walk you through the process of removing a toilet, capping it off, and reinstalling a new toilet.

Tools and Materials Needed

The following tools and materials are needed to remove a toilet:

  • Toilet plunger
  • Adjustable wrench
  • Pliers
  • Tape measure
  • Bucket
  • Gloves
  • Safety glasses
  • Plumber’s putty
  • Wax ring
  • New toilet flange
  • Silicone sealant

How to Remove a Toilet

To remove a toilet, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the water supply to the toilet.
2. Flush the toilet to drain the water from the tank.
3. Remove the toilet tank lid.
4. Locate the water supply valve and turn it off.
5. Loosen the nuts that connect the toilet to the floor flange.
6. Lift the toilet off the floor and set it aside.
7. Remove the old wax ring from the toilet flange.
8. Clean the toilet flange with a rag and degreaser.

Capping Off the Toilet

Once the toilet has been removed, you will need to cap off the toilet flange to prevent sewer gas from entering your home. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Place a bucket under the toilet flange.
2. Apply plumber’s putty around the edge of the toilet flange.
3. Place the new toilet flange over the old flange and press down firmly.
4. Apply silicone sealant around the edge of the new toilet flange.
5. Allow the sealant to dry completely before using the toilet.

Reinstalling a New Toilet

To reinstall a new toilet, follow these steps:

1. Place the new toilet on top of the toilet flange.
2. Apply plumber’s putty around the base of the toilet.
3. Secure the toilet to the floor with the nuts that you removed earlier.
4. Turn on the water supply to the toilet.
5. Flush the toilet to check for leaks.
6. Replace the toilet tank lid.

Removing and replacing a toilet is a relatively simple task that can be completed in about an hour. By following the steps in this guide, you can safely and successfully remove your old toilet and install a new one.

Additional Tips

Here are a few additional tips for removing and replacing a toilet:

  • If the toilet is stuck to the floor, you can use a plunger to loosen it.
  • Be careful not to damage the toilet bowl or the plumbing when removing the toilet.
  • If you are replacing the toilet with a new one, make sure to purchase a toilet that is the same size and shape as the old one.
  • When reinstalling the toilet, make sure that the toilet is level and that the nuts are tightened securely.
  • Flush the toilet several times after reinstalling it to make sure that there are no leaks.

How to Remove a Toilet

Removing a toilet is a relatively simple task that can be completed in about an hour. However, it is important to follow the proper steps to avoid damaging the toilet or the plumbing.

Tools and Materials

To remove a toilet, you will need the following tools and materials:

  • Adjustable wrench
  • Pliers
  • Penetrating oil
  • Bucket
  • Shop towels
  • New toilet flange
  • Silicone sealant
  • Plumber’s putty

Step 1: Turn off the Water

The first step is to turn off the water to the toilet. This can usually be done by turning the shut-off valve located under the sink or behind the toilet. Once the water is turned off, flush the toilet to drain any remaining water.

Step 2: Remove the Toilet Seat

The next step is to remove the toilet seat. There are usually two bolts located on the back of the toilet seat that hold it in place. Use a wrench or pliers to loosen the bolts and remove the seat.

Step 3: Disconnect the Water Supply Line

The next step is to disconnect the water supply line from the toilet. The water supply line is usually located on the back of the toilet and is connected to the shut-off valve. Use a wrench to loosen the nut on the end of the water supply line and disconnect it from the toilet.

Step 4: Remove the Toilet Bolts

The next step is to remove the toilet bolts. The toilet bolts are located on the bottom of the toilet and are used to secure the toilet to the floor. Use a wrench to loosen the bolts and remove them.

Step 5: Lift the Toilet

Once the toilet bolts are removed, you can lift the toilet up and off of the floor. Be careful not to drop the toilet, as this could damage the toilet or the floor.

Step 6: Remove the Old Flange

The next step is to remove the old flange. The flange is a metal ring that is located under the toilet and connects the toilet to the drain pipe. Use a wrench to loosen the bolts that hold the flange in place and remove the flange.

Step 7: Clean the Drain Pipe

The next step is to clean the drain pipe. Use a shop towel to wipe away any debris that may be blocking the drain pipe.

Step 8: Install the New Flange

The next step is to install the new flange. Apply a bead of plumber’s putty around the edge of the new flange and center it over the drain pipe. Press down firmly on the flange to seat it in place.

Step 9: Connect the Water Supply Line

The next step is to connect the water supply line to the toilet. Insert the end of the water supply line into the opening on the bottom of the toilet and tighten the nut to secure it in place.

Step 10: Reattach the Toilet Seat

The final step is to reattach the toilet seat. Insert the bolts through the holes in the toilet seat and tighten them with a wrench.

Removing a toilet is a relatively simple task that can be completed in about an hour. However, it is important to follow the proper steps to avoid damaging the toilet or the plumbing. If you are not comfortable removing a toilet, you may want to consider hiring a professional plumber.

How to Cap Off a Toilet

Capping off a toilet is a necessary step when you are replacing the toilet or the toilet flange. It prevents water from leaking out of the toilet and damaging the floor or subfloor.

Tools and Materials

  • Bucket
  • Shop towels
  • New toilet flange
  • Silicone sealant
  • Plumber’s putty

Step 1: Place a bucket under the toilet flange to catch any water that may leak out.

Step 2: Apply a bead of plumber’s putty around the edge of the new toilet flange.

Step 3: Center the new toilet flange over the old flange and press down firmly.

Step 4: Apply a bead of silicone sealant around the edge of the new toilet flange.

Step 5:

How To Remove a Toilet and Cap It Off?

Q: What tools do I need to remove a toilet?

A: You will need the following tools:

  • A plunger
  • A hacksaw
  • A screwdriver
  • A bucket
  • A pair of pliers
  • A putty knife
  • A new wax ring
  • A new toilet flange
  • A toilet supply line

Q: How do I remove the toilet tank?

A: To remove the toilet tank, you will need to:

1. Turn off the water supply to the toilet.
2. Flush the toilet to drain the water from the tank.
3. Remove the two bolts that connect the tank to the toilet bowl.
4. Lift the tank up and off of the toilet bowl.

Q: How do I remove the toilet bowl?

A: To remove the toilet bowl, you will need to:

1. Remove the bolts that connect the toilet bowl to the floor.
2. Use a putty knife to scrape away any old wax that is sealing the toilet to the floor.
3. Lift the toilet bowl up and off of the floor.

Q: How do I cap off the toilet drain?

A: To cap off the toilet drain, you will need to:

1. Cut a piece of PVC pipe to the same diameter as the toilet drain.
2. Insert the PVC pipe into the toilet drain.
3. Secure the PVC pipe in place with a plumber’s putty.

Q: What do I do with the old toilet?

A: You can either dispose of the old toilet by taking it to a landfill or recycling center, or you can have it professionally removed.

Q: What is the best way to prevent leaks when reinstalling a toilet?

A: There are a few things you can do to prevent leaks when reinstalling a toilet:

  • Make sure that the toilet is properly aligned with the drain.
  • Use a new wax ring.
  • Tighten the bolts that connect the toilet to the floor securely.
  • Apply plumber’s putty around the base of the toilet.

    In this blog post, we have discussed how to remove a toilet and cap it off. We have covered the steps in detail, from disconnecting the water supply to removing the toilet from the floor. We have also provided tips on how to cap off the toilet drain so that it is watertight.

We hope that this blog post has been helpful. If you have any 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.