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Building Skills

How to Remove a Toilet

Plumber Mike Lombardi shares some tips for making the dirty job of removing a toilet a little easier.

By Rob Wotzak
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      If you’ve ever had to remove a toilet, you know it can be a real struggle. We brought in plumber Mike Lombardi to share his tips for making this dirty job a little easier.

      220px-Toilet_with_flush_water_tank

      For more information, please check out these related articles:

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      How to Install a New Toilet

       

      Check out the full Building Skills video series:

      • How to Remove a Toilet
      • How to Remove an Old Bathtub
      • How to Remove an Old Bathroom Sink
      Previous: How to Replace a Toilet Next: Less-Mess Toilet Removal

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      View Comments

      1. 789456123 | Jun 23, 2012 08:24am | #1

        I use a shop vac to suck out the water. Keeps my hands out of bacteria invested water.

        The partial pale was a good idea.

      2. Cornelius99 | Jun 25, 2012 09:47am | #2

        I like to clean the toilet before removal.

      3. semar | Jul 09, 2012 03:36pm | #3

        the sponge system cleans the tank and bowl very well.
        I am not that squeamish with the desinfection since the water is clean and you are not cleaning out waste;you can always wear some gloves.
        Removing the tank is also good if you are working alone.
        Instead of the piece of plywood or cardboard I use a garbage bag (big enough) and set the bowl right into it. That way nothing gets on the floor or on anything while you are carrying the toilet thru the house. Clean up underside takes place outside/garage.
        When re-installing the toilet I now use waxless drainconnection. No mess - and can be reused.
        I also do not seal around the toiletbase. If it ever leaks I can see it right away and fix it. If it gets sealed the leak will go into your subfloor and when you see it then the damage is much greater and will cost a lot more to repair.
        I also get rid of the toilet first before I remove the surrounding drywall :=)

      4. enduringcharm | Jul 13, 2012 09:43am | #4

        I don't have that kind of time for removal! I have a much faster method. Both of the big-box home supply stores sell a cheap wet-vac head that attaches to the top of a plastic bucket. I think home depot calls it a "bucket head" or some such thing. It has a narrow hose but very good suction.

        I turn off the water and flush once. Then the bucket head vac sucks out the top of the tank, the water in the bowl AND in the trap in under a minute. When I break the supply line connection I keep the vac on and it sucks up any dribble from there. I have removed all of the water in literally a minute and I carry it out in the bucket to dump without ever having touched any unsanitary conditions. I use this bucket vac exclusively for this purpose. Back at the shop I'll spray a little bleach in the bucket to keep it fresh.

      5. MarcioWilges | Dec 21, 2014 10:50pm | #5

        I foresee that the removal of the toilet from the bathroom is about the same as removal of the bathtub and sink right? What's so different about it?

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