Any tricks I should know when removing a toilet?

[N8Magic]

I have this toilet that's been plugged for a couple of days now, and nothing I seem to do will unplug it. I've tried plunging it, using a 3-foot snake, everything. It will still pass the water really slowly, but I can't seem to get it to flow freely.

My next step I guess is to remove the toilet and see if there is anything plugging the drain, right? I am going to pick up a new wax seal for the base tomorrow, but are there any tricks I should know to avoid getting water all over the place and causing a huge mess?

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: N8Magic
I have this toilet that's been plugged for a couple of days now, and nothing I seem to do will unplug it. I've tried plunging it, using a 3-foot snake, everything. It will still pass the water really slowly, but I can't seem to get it to flow freely. My next step I guess is to remove the toilet and see if there is anything plugging the drain, right? I am going to pick up a new wax seal for the base tomorrow, but are there any tricks I should know to avoid getting water all over the place and causing a huge mess?

The best way to remove a toilet is to drop a charge of C4 in the bowl.

 

[SilverThief]

hold your breath

 

[Pliablemoose]

Things will get wet no matter what...

Turn off water to toilet (there's a valve next to it)

Flush to drain tank

Remove tank

Remove bowl.

Snake & reassemble...

 

[iwearnosox]

Ask Rossman, I think he recently replaced his with the monster-whoosh 9000.

 

[N8Magic]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
Things will get wet no matter what...

Turn off water to toilet (there's a valve next to it)

Flush to drain tank

Remove tank

Remove bowl.

Snake & reassemble...

How wet are we talking here?

When it initially overflowed (thank god there was only a kleenex in there), water went into the vent and poured into the basement. :|

 

[olds]

Shut off water and flush toilet, holding down the handle till all the water that can, runs out. Remove bowl bolts. Lift it straight up and put it in the tub. Once in the tub, lay it on it's back and the water will flow out as you tilt it. More importantly, you'll be able to see part way into the bowl. Find your tooth brush that has become wrapped with TP and your in the money.
Well, hopefully it will be that easy.

 

[Yax]

Thick disposable gloves, one time use towels. Gas mask. Old clothes and shower after wards.

 

[glugglug]

In college we shattered the toilet once. It was a shared bathroom to every 2 rooms. Suitemates got in sort of a contest drowning out each other's stereos, and we moved the speakers against the bathroom door for maximum penetration. The sound actually shattered the toilet. Fortunately we had a lot of towels to block the bottom of the door and control the water flow.

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
Things will get wet no matter what...

Turn off water to toilet (there's a valve next to it)

Flush to drain tank

Remove tank

Remove bowl.

Snake & reassemble...

pour a bucket of water,like 2 gallons into "bowl"
it will force more water than normal to be drained than a normal flush.

Lotsa towels to absorb water,and a mop..

you will also need hand cleaner,it is a little messy.
get the heavy duty wax seal,and get a spare,or 2~ in case

take your time.

Good luck,i did my first one only 5 years ago,lol,no biggy now,just a minor pain.

 

[GhettoFob]

Originally posted by: glugglug
In college we shattered the toilet once. It was a shared bathroom to every 2 rooms. Suitemates got in sort of a contest drowning out each other's stereos, and we moved the speakers against the bathroom door for maximum penetration. The sound actually shattered the toilet. Fortunately we had a lot of towels to block the bottom of the door and control the water flow.

:Q

 

[Goosemaster]

what ever happened to just using drano??

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: N8Magic

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
Things will get wet no matter what...

Turn off water to toilet (there's a valve next to it)

Flush to drain tank

Remove tank

Remove bowl.

Snake & reassemble...

How wet are we talking here?

When it initially overflowed (thank god there was only a kleenex in there), water went into the vent and poured into the basement. :|

I agree with his steps. As long as you TURN OFF THE WATER VALVE which goes into the wall it's not going to turn into an ocean.

The water we're talking about is the excess water left in the toilet, I'd say it's about a bucket's worth.

Do yourself a big favor, clear out everything in your bathroom, after removing the toilet put it into your bathtub or shower stall.

Also open your bathroom door/window for ventilation it STINKS after you remove the toilet and seal. I am not kidding it really does REAK!

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
what ever happened to just using drano??

Drano doesn't work on everything.

 

[Chunkee]

dont eat the wax ring!

 

[N8Magic]

Thanks for the tips everyone.

There's no window in the bathroom that the plugged toilet is in, so hopefully the open door and exhaust fan will prevent me from being overcome by the fumes.

 

[Ornery]

Buy every piece of hardware and gasket that toilet uses first, including the toilet seat. You can return whatever you don't use. You might want to replace the flush valve and flapper while you're at it. Both are only about $10.00 in a kit.

Buy good quality 5/16", brass, tank hold down bolts. There's a donut gasket between the tank and bowl that may be dried out. Get new hold down bolts for the bowl too. Be prepared to cut the old ones off with a hacksaw blade mounted to a short handle, called a Padsaw.

The shutoff valve will probably seep out from where the packing is dried out. Snug up the nut around the valve stem to take care of that.

Have Fun!

 

[RossMAN]

The main part is turning off the water valve and carefully unscrewing the water hose thingie to the wall.

It also helps to have a friend there with you.

 

[Lovepig]

Chunkee said

dont eat the wax ring!

hahaha yeah! The big yellow lifesaver, is not a lifesaver!!

It is a big hassle to remover the toilet. Do yourself a favor and spend $10-$20 on a couple of the best drain cleaners. They have some that specializes in slow draining clogs. If it dosen't work you'll be out a few bucks, but if it does work you will be out a HUGE hassle and several hours of yucky work!

 

[chiwawa626]

Get a pile of rags or some old sheets and put them on the floor and when u lift the toilet up, put it on top of those... To make things easy mabey pickup the toilet and put it in the bathtub...that way cleanup is a breeze..

 

[N8Magic]

This whole project sounds like it could get "interesting" in a hurry if I don't follow the proper precautions. :Q

 

[Ornery]

The worst thing to me is making multiple trips to the hardware store! :disgust:

 

[BruinEd03]

Maybe do a couple courtesy flushes to get rid of any nasty particles still lingering from the last use?

-Ed

 

[N8Magic]

Originally posted by: BruinEd03
Maybe do a couple courtesy flushes to get rid of any nasty particles still lingering from the last use?

-Ed

Don't worry, i've flushed it about 9842168264398263 times while plunging and snaking the damn thing trying to get rid of the clog.

Thank god the last thing to go in there was a kleenex with boogers and nothing else.

 

[dman]

Are you the one who dropped the toiletpaper thing in there, or was that someone else?

Nope, see post below...