Replacing a toilet looks simple until the old one comes out and the flange is cracked, the floor is soft, or the new toilet does not fit the space. A good installation checks all of that first, so the new toilet sits level, seals tight and does not start leaking six months later.
Before buying a toilet, measure the rough-in: the distance from the finished wall behind the toilet to the center of the bolts that hold it to the floor. Most homes use a 12-inch rough-in, but 10-inch and 14-inch layouts also exist. A proper installation includes inspecting the flange and subfloor, a new wax or wax-free seal, new bolts and a new supply line, setting the toilet level, and testing for leaks.
The rough-in decides which toilets will fit. Measure from the wall behind the toilet, not from the baseboard, to the center of one of the floor bolts. A toilet made for a 12-inch rough-in will not sit right over a 10-inch drain, and one made for a 10-inch rough-in over a 12-inch drain leaves an awkward gap behind the tank.
| Choice | Options | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Bowl shape | Round or elongated | Elongated bowls are more comfortable for most adults; round bowls save space in a small bathroom |
| Height | Standard or comfort height | Comfort height models put the seat at 17 to 19 inches, the range the ADA Standards use for accessible toilets |
| Construction | One-piece or two-piece | One-piece models have no seam between tank and bowl and are easier to clean; two-piece models cost less and are easier to carry |
| Flush volume | 1.6 gallons per flush or less | Federal law limits new toilets to 1.6 gallons per flush; WaterSense models use 1.28 gallons or less |
The EPA’s WaterSense toilet program tests labeled models for flush performance as well as water use, so a WaterSense toilet saves water without the weak flush older low-flow models were known for.
If your old toilet rocked, leaked at the base, or left stains on the floor around it, the toilet may not have been the problem. A broken flange or a water-damaged subfloor has to be fixed before the new toilet goes down, or the new one will fail the same way. Both get checked as soon as the old toilet is out, and you hear about it before any extra work begins.
A new toilet is often part of a bigger bathroom update. If other fixtures are changing too, planning the plumbing work together saves a homeowner time and avoids opening the same walls and floors twice to fix plumbing issues one at a time.
In older homes in Republic, a bathroom update is also a good time to look at the older pipes feeding the room. Corroded supply lines behind the wall are much easier to replace before new tile and fixtures cover them.
Schedule online or by phone, and plan for a single visit on a straightforward swap.
A toilet that is set badly does not always leak right away. The wax seal can hold for weeks before a rocking bowl breaks it, and by then water has been soaking into the floor.
Before the new toilet goes on, our plumbing technicians inspect the flange, the drain pipe and the opening to the sewer line. If they find a clog or signs of sewer line problems, they clear blockages or recommend pipe repair first. Doing it in that order can help prevent water damage, future plumbing repairs and costly repairs.
Every installation is done under our license and backed by our insurance, so Republic homeowners get a fully licensed and insured team in the house. Whether you need one toilet replaced or several, call (417) 241-5687 today to schedule the installation, or contact us with a question first.
A straight swap is typically done in a single visit. Flange repairs or subfloor work add time.
If the tank and bowl are not cracked, most problems inside the tank can be repaired. Our toilet repair page covers the common fixes.
A comfort height toilet has a taller bowl, which puts the seat closer to chair height. Many people find it easier to sit down and stand up.
Yes, but you need a toilet designed for a 10-inch rough-in. A standard 12-inch model will not fit correctly.
A wax-free seal uses a rubber or foam gasket instead of a wax ring to seal the toilet to the flange. It can be repositioned during installation without losing its seal, which a wax ring cannot.
A toilet that rocks even after the bolts are tightened, or bolts that spin without tightening, often means the flange is cracked or its bolt slots have broken. It needs repair before a new toilet goes in.
Toilet installation is part of the complete plumbing service in Republic we provide for homes and businesses, along with fixture repairs, leak repair, drain cleaning and water heater repair. Our plumbers in Republic, MO agree the price before the work starts. Call (417) 241-5687 to schedule.
24 hour service from a team based in Republic, not driving in from somewhere else.
(417) 241-5687
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Two tune-ups a year on every system you own, 10% off all repairs and priority scheduling, from $14 a month.
Approved financing spreads the cost of a replacement, so the timing of the work is your decision rather than the equipment’s.
A plumbing problem leaves you guessing at both the cause and the bill, and most people find out the price only after the work is done. We find the cause, show you what we found, and agree the cost with you before anything is touched. Call (417) 241-5687 or book online.