How do I Install a new Toilet bowl (without killing my back)!?

June 24, 2019 8:25 AM

I'm not that big and I'm installing a new toilet. The tricky part is lifting the dang toilet bowl to thread it onto the two bolts sticking up from the floor/flange. The problem is that if if don't get it right the first time, I end up mashing the wax ring. Argh! The bowl weighs about 40 lbs and holding that weight for an extended period of time is likely going to kill my back. Is there a smarter way?
posted by storybored to Home & Garden (11 answers total)

Spitballing: Can you get two or three small wooden blocks that are taller than the wax ring, but shorter than the bolts? This would allow you position the bowl quickly, and be able to retry without messing up the wax.

Another thought is that a good tire jack might allow you to lower the front slowly, and position as you go with something else bearing the weight.

Beyond that, this is sort of the textbook case for a crane. :)

Good luck!
posted by Citrus at 8:30 AM on June 24, 2019

Find someone to help. No matter what clever way you devise to get the bowl over the bolts there will be a point when you'll have to lift it. Lift with your legs.

Also, do yourself a favor and buy a second (or third) wax wing at Home Depot. I have almost always screwed up the first time around and had to go out and buy a ring. They're only a couple bucks and you can return them if you don't use them.
posted by bondcliff at 8:33 AM on June 24, 2019 [12 favorites]

Yeah, rest it on two short lengths of 2x4 or similar, and slide/wiggle it into position. Then lift fractionally, kick the bits of wood out of the way and lower back down. If someone else can move the wood for you it may help.
posted by howfar at 8:51 AM on June 24, 2019

I've done this a number of times, and I always go with slipping fat straws over the bolts. Works for me.
posted by bfranklin at 8:53 AM on June 24, 2019 [10 favorites]

You probably know this, but straddle it to lift it, so that the weight is transferred by straight arms to mainly your legs.
posted by Dashy at 8:56 AM on June 24, 2019 [2 favorites]

I was just about to mention the straw trick, but don't forget that the wax ring is made to be mashed. You've got a fair amount of leeway in getting the toilet on the bolts, and depending on the flange, the bolts will flop around a bit, too, requiring some additional rotation and adjustment of the toilet once it's down.

But if you can, definitely get someone to help
posted by jonathanhughes at 8:57 AM on June 24, 2019 [3 favorites]

Get a neoprene ring instead of a wax ring. You can seat it multiple times and it'll be fine.
posted by vitout at 9:09 AM on June 24, 2019 [5 favorites]

The neoprene rings are a godsend
posted by ftm at 9:18 AM on June 24, 2019 [2 favorites]

There are a couple of wax ring alternatives, such as Perfect Seal, which are designed to hold the bolts up so that you don’t need straws or other hacks
posted by walkinginsunshine at 9:25 AM on June 24, 2019 [1 favorite]

Wax rings are one of those things that we outside the US are just astonished that those of you inside it still insist on using, like cheques and imperial measurements.

Seriously, this is 2019, not 1819. Neoprene exists. Why torture yourself with wax?
posted by flabdablet at 10:44 AM on June 24, 2019 [2 favorites]

You can do this. Spring for the foam donut or one of the other non-wax options. They work, and it is so much easier and less stressful if you aren't able to perfectly set a toilet into place for any reason.
posted by monopas at 5:37 PM on June 24, 2019