Toilet-Pulling Made Easier
Wrapping a strap around the bowl in a figure-8 pattern provides a sturdy handhold for pulling a toilet.
Removing a toilet to install a new floor or repair framing is never fun, but I have found a way to take some of the unpleasant side effects out of it. The problem is that toilets are heavy and unwieldy, and the common two-piece type is held together at a joint that can leak if you put too much strain on it. Here’s the method I use to lessen the likelihood of causing a leak, or trying to duckwalk a toilet out of a bathroom by hunching over it and hanging onto awkwardly positioned handholds.
After shutting off the water at the wall-mounted valve, I disconnect the supply line and flush the toilet. Then I get most of the remaining water out of the bowl by pouring a couple of quarts of water from a bucket into the bowl. The siphon action pulls all but a cup of water out of the trap. Once the trap is bailed, I wrap a rope or a woven strap around the bowl of the toilet in a figure-eight pattern, as shown in the drawing above. The straps should cross just above the toilet-seat hinges.
Lifting on the straps where they cross provides a sturdy handhold at a good balance point. The toilet stays vertical, one person can lift the toilet and carry it outside (even down stairs), spilled water is minimal, and no hands have to grip the rim of the bowl.
Mark Mills-Thysen, Sebastopol, CA
Edited and Illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #185
View Comments
Just pull the toilet. Then place in a large garbage bag no water spillage at all. If you use a heavy duty bag. You can carry the toilet by the bag itself.
Better yet...both of you need to call a Plumber to show you how it's done.
Do it the Easy Way. After Draining all of the Water, a bucket and big Car Washing Sponge work great, Pull the tank since all you need is a new gasket and remove the toilet.