Replacing a toilet?

[BatteryCharger]

I'm negotiating with the landlord at the industrial shop I lease, the toilet needs to be fixed, but, even if it was fixed, it's still garbage. It gets plugged if you just give it a dirty look. :shakehead It's a low flow toilet, and something is wrong, making the flow EVEN LOWER. It's also not bolted to the floor as tightly as it should be making it move around just a tad.

So I have two options:
1. Call the landlord, make her send somebody out to fix the toilet. (I'm guessing it will cost her at least $100 for a plumber)
2. Tell the landlord I'll replace the toilet with a new/better one for $100. (Costco has a nice one for $88 right now)

Option 2 would be nice; however, I'm not excited about replacing a dirty old shop toilet. Other than being "gross" though, I don't think it's that difficult. There appears to be 2 bolts on the floor that hold it down. I understand there is a wax ring between the floor and the toilet. Just one simple water line.

Is that all it takes to replace a toilet? Unhook the water line, unbolt the floor bolts, new wax ring, and reverse? Sounds too easy...

I'm kinda thinking about remodeling the bathroom a little bit this summer, the toilet would be a good place to start. I just replaced the faucet and water lines on my big sink, so I'm not totally stupid when it comes to plumbing.

 

[kaichu dento]

As long as the floor isn't rotten and the toilet adapter is okay it should be just as you described, fairly cut and dried. The low flow problem is probably a pressure assist that is no longer working and is probably not worth messing with.

You might even check the yellow pages for used building supplies and get a toilet for $10-$50 depending on how nice a unit.

 

[LuxLuthor]

It is as simple as it sounds. Scoop out the water first.

 

[BatteryCharger]

Great! I should mention the floor is concrete, so it's pretty nice and solid. Do you think I'm correct that it would cost probably a minimum of $100 for a plumber to come out and fix the old one?

I think the main problem is that it's a "first generation" low flow toilet, which I've read are really really really bad compared to the current models offered. And it was probably a $79 toilet back then.

There is a local building supply recycling place that I browse from time to time....they probably have cheap toilets, though, I don't know if I want another used one. LOL

 

[Wilmette]

They sell plastic wedge shims color matched to your throne to prevent rocking. Just trim for invisibility. If you bone down the flange too tight and the problem is an uneven floor, you'll blow up the porcelain.

 

[Norm]

1. Call the landlord, make her send somebody out to fix the toilet. (I'm guessing it will cost her at least $100 for a plumber)

Not in this country plumbers here wouldn't get in their van for $100.
A recent story on TV about a plumber who charged an elderly lady almost $2000 to unblock a sink (rip off merchant)
Norm

 

[jtr1962]

You might want to look into pressure assist toilets. Best of both worlds from what I've heard-they still save water but flush with adequate pressure. More money but worth it if you can afford it ( no, we don't have one but I'll seriously consider one if the existing toilet goes ).

And BTW, I'd likely be looking at $250 and up to get a plumber to change a toilet here. Don't get me started on what electricians or ceramic tiling costs. Lots of reasons to learn how to do things yourself. Changing a toilet is exactly as you said. Sometimes the flange holding the toilet might need tightning also but you won't know until you take the old toilet out.

 

[BatteryCharger]

I don't really want to invest a lot of money here because this is not my building. I don't like giving things to the landlord, who is very unappreciative.

Basically I'll give her two options, she HAS to pay someone to come fix my old toilet, or, I'll be nice and do the work at cost taken off the rent, and get a better toilet in the process. (I've done a lot of that stuff) She's not interested in the least in investing money in her property to increase the value, she just doesn't understand how that works.

I've just ended up with way to many projects thinking "that will only take a few hours and $100" that turn into several days and several hundred dollars.:laughing: (like the faucet I just replaced)

It's not so much about the cost or the quality of the toilet, I'm just real picky about my "facilities". I will not sit on this one unless it's an emergency. I want a new one that nobody has ever crapped in.

 

[BatteryCharger]

And BTW, I'd likely be looking at $250 and up to get a plumber to change a toilet here.

You mean they don't offer a discount in Flushing, NY?

Mr. Rooter rents the building across the lot from the same woman, maybe I can talk them into doing it. :naughty:

I guess with gloves on it's no worse than following the Dachshund in the park...

 

[Flashlight Aficionado]

I have no experience with this toilet, but I believe LukeA does. I added the link to my favorites. Niagara Toilet

When my toilet dies a stinky death, the Niagara Toilet will be the top contender.

 

[QtrHorse]

You will not get a plumber to fix the problem for $100 unless he does it as a favor after hours.

It should be as simple as you stated to install the new toilet.

It may be loose because of an uneven floor or the metal ring is rusted out.

Remember, it is like a P trap and will still have water in it after you remove it so be carefull and do not tilt it over on it's side while inside.

 

[PCC]

Before you do anything take out a tape measure and measure the distance from the bolts to the wall behind the toilet. It should measure 12". That is the current standard (I believe). If the building is old it could be 10", 14" or even 16". 10" would be a problem as the current toilets are 12" and you would have a 2" clearance problem. If it is 14" or 16" then you'll have a gap behind the tank, which could be a problem if someone leans back on the tank and breaks it. Just put a piece of wood back there high up between the wall and the tank and you should be good.

When replacing a toilet it really is as simple as taking the old one out and putting a new one in if you can get over the gross factor. Absolutely replace the wax ring with a new one or else you will have a stinky mess to deal with later.

Do a search on the Internet for toilet flow ratings of different models. While Costco might have a nice toilet for $80, you might find a higher rated toilet at HD or OSH or Lowe's for less. Big brand names don't necessarily mean better flushing performance.

I used to work at a local hardware store on the weekends for extra cash and I worked in the kitchens and baths section. I sold plenty of toilets and our best performing toilet was the second least expensive one, the cheapest one being a poor performer. I sold hundreds of that second cheapest model due to flushing performance alone.

 

[MarNav1]

An enlongated bowl (the part you sit on) is nice, much more roomy. And flush holes in the bottom are nice too, give some extra oomph when flushing.

 

[jtr1962]

You mean they don't offer a discount in Flushing, NY?

I figured someone would make the connection between this topic and my location. :twothumbs :laughing:

Strangely enough, one theory behind the derivation of Flushing relates to the fact it used to be mostly a swamp. The early maps from the 1700s said "no flushing" because of this ( you don't want human waste in a swamp ). Eventually they decided to just call the area Flushing as they were used to seeing it on maps. Or so I've heard. It's one of those urban legends like alligators in the sewer ( no, those really don't exist ).

 

[LukeA]

I have no experience with this toilet, but I believe LukeA does. I added the link to my favorites. Niagara Toilet

When my toilet dies a stinky death, the Niagara Toilet will be the top contender.

I'm surprised anybody remembered!

Yes, I have 3 of them, 3 different generations and they all work great. You can currently get them in 1.6gpf and 1.28gpf versions and different bowl lengths and seat heights. As mentioned by MarNav1, the elongated bowl is definitely preferable.

They're so good because they're low-flow but don't sacrifice power relative to a normal 6gpf toilet. Additionally there's no way for them to run or sweat, and, unlike a pressure-assist toilet, they continue to flush normally when the water pressure is off and they're very quiet.

Mechanically, they don't have any rubber seals or flappers, they have large footprints to cover the marks from the old bowl and they can fit a 10in. or deeper rough-in.

Especially with the 1.28gpf models, you flush the toilet and by the time you're done washing your hands the toilet is finished refilling.

Home Depot carries them. The 1.28gpf is under the Glacier Bay name and is $98 on HD's website. The 1.6gpf is branded Pegasus, but I couldn't find it on homedepot.com.

HTH

 

[Flashlight Aficionado]

I'm surprised anybody remembered!

I am stalking you. That was just one of many of the files I have on you. :nana:

Thanks for giving a full review. You didn't say much last time and now I see why you like it so much.

 

[BatteryCharger]

Interesting, I'll go see what Home Depot has. Those Niagra toilets would be good for my house, we just had another bad one plug and overflow and ruin the ceiling below. :shakehead

The one Costco has I think is an elongated bowl Kohler, I'll google it once I get the model #.

For the shop toilet honestly I don't care how much water it uses, the landlord pays for that. (You gotta wonder what they were thinking designing "low flow" toilets that require multiple flushes) I would even look for a "black market" 3.5gpf toilet, but then again, those are gross. :laughing:

Thanks for the info everyone.

 

[KC2IXE]

One thing people didn't mention, sowed to me by a plumber - before you final mount the new toilet, mix up a batch of grout - set your ring, put the grout on the floor aout the toilet fairly tall, and then set and bolt down the toilet - you'll get a BUNCH of squeezeout, but that's good - clean up the squeezeout, and then let the grout set - say do this before you go home at night - next am you'll have a SOLID no rock throne

BTW, The International Plumbers convention things that Flushing NY is the Greatest feat of all time, but the teamsters vote for Wheeling West Va

And yeah, I grew up in Flushing, and live about 1 mile east of JTR1962 (we actually went to HS together)

 

[Flying Turtle]

Now, if you follow the teachings of Al Bundy, you will buy a Ferguson. A throne fit for a king. A vaguely recall an episode devoted to this topic.

Geoff

 

[mrartillery]

If all else fails, try this.