Choosing the replacement
Before anything is unbolted, measure the rough-in: how far the closet bolts sit from the finished wall. Twelve inches is the norm across Markham, yet older washrooms and basement add-ons turn up at ten or fourteen. Buy for the wrong figure and the tank either hits the wall or leaves a gap you can fit a hand into.
- Rough-in measurement from the wall, not the baseboard.
- Bowl shape: elongated bowls need more room in front.
- Height: a taller chair-height seat helps knees, though small children may need a step.
- Flush volume: Ontario requires new toilets to meet low-flow limits, so check the label.
The installation, step by step
- Close the stop, flush, then sponge both tank and bowl dry.
- Undo the supply line, remove the nuts and lift the old toilet straight up onto a drop sheet.
- Clean every bit of old wax off the ring and plug the hole with a rag so no sewer gas escapes.
- Inspect the flange: a cracked ring or broken bolt slot is repaired before going further.
- Lower the bowl straight onto a new wax or foam gasket, shim it level and snug the nuts alternately.
- Mount the tank, attach a fresh stainless supply, reopen the stop and flush repeatedly.
The visit, in order
- 1
Close the angle stop, flush the tank down and sponge out the last water.
- 2
Auger the bowl or lift it off the flange if the clog sits in the horn.
- 3
Replace the worn flapper, fill valve or bowl seal and torque the bolts evenly.
- 4
Refill, dye-test the tank and check the base for seepage after several flushes.
While the toilet is off
It is the best time to replace a seized multi-turn supply stop with a quarter-turn valve, and to check the subfloor for soft spots that suggest a slow leak from the old seal. We caulk the base front and sides only, leaving the back open so any future leak shows rather than rotting the floor unseen.
| Item | Why we replace it |
|---|---|
| Wax seal | Never reusable once compressed |
| Closet bolts | Old bolts are often corroded or bent |
| Supply line | Cheap insurance against a burst hose |
Old fixtures and repairs
The old fixture leaves with us for disposal. If yours only runs or rocks, toilet repair may be the cheaper fix, and our guide to running toilets explains the common causes.
Markham note: village-core houses tend to hide cast iron and galvanized behind plaster, while Cornell and Box Grove builds run PEX to a manifold. We ask the year your house was built so the right fittings ride along on the truck.
Straight from the phone log
How long does a toilet installation take?
Usually a couple of hours, longer if the flange or subfloor needs repair once the old fixture is up.
I already bought the toilet. Will you set it?
Happily. Measure the rough-in first and leave the carton sealed until we confirm the fit.
Ready to get it fixed?
One call, a clear explanation, and work finished tidily before we leave.