Etobicoke Plumbing Services: 4 Common DIY Toilet Installation Mistakes

A toilet installation may seem straightforward enough that you think you can handle it yourself. However, there are a couple of very good reasons why you should hire professional plumbing services in Etobicoke instead. In the first place, toilet installation can be more complicated than it seems. A well-installed toilet could last for decades, but if you install it yourself improperly, it could break down sooner than expected. Then you have to call in a professional to fix the damage anyway, which means extra expense for you. Here are some of the most common mistakes that occur when attempting to install a toilet yourself.

1. Failure To Measure the Water Line

Replacement water lines come in different sizes. If you fail to measure the old one before buying a new one, you may find that the one you bought doesn’t fit. You may be able to take the one you bought back to the store for a refund, but no one can ever refund the time you wasted going back and forth to the store or waiting for the parts you ordered online to arrive.

2. Forgetting To Drain the Water Before Removing the Toilet

Failing to drain the water out of the toilet before attempting to remove it could result in an enormous splash and a huge mess all over your bathroom floor. You may have figured out that much on your own, but what you might not realize is how much excess water may remain in your toilet even after you’ve drained the tank. For example, you may know to turn off the water valve in your tank before you start removing the toilet, but did you know you should also pull the flush lever after the valve has been turned off to remove any excess water that still remains? Plumbing services in Etobicoke know how to remove as much water as possible to keep your floors dry while removing the toilet so it can be replaced.

3. Trying To Move the Toilet Without Removing the Tank Lid

The lid of the toilet tank isn’t attached or fastened to it in any way. It just rests on top. This doesn’t cause a problem as long as the toilet stays stationary, but if you attempt to remove the toilet with the lid still on, it could slide off if you tilt the toilet too far in the wrong direction. Like the rest of the toilet, the lid is made of porcelain, which could crack or shatter if dropped.

If you’re disposing of your old toilet, you may not think it matters if the lid breaks. However, the lid is also very heavy, so the force of the impact could also damage your flooring. Not only that, but you have to clean up the broken lid to avoid stepping on stray shards of porcelain and injuring your foot.

4. Overtightening Nuts and Bolts

When it comes to the nuts and bolts that hold the toilet in place, you have to strike the right balance, not leaving them too loose but not overtightening them either. If they are too loose, the toilet could become unstable, a disconcerting experience. However, if they are too tight, it puts pressure on the porcelain, which can cause it to chip or crack. Therefore, the nuts and bolts have to be tight enough to prevent the toilet from jiggling but loose enough that there is some give to it.

Call Handyman Connection for Plumbing Services in Etobicoke

In addition to repairs, we also perform plumbing installation. The plumbing system can be delicate, and attempting the work yourself could lead to even bigger problems. Contact us for an estimate.