Installing a new toilet can be a daunting task, but with the help of this blog post, it doesn’t have to be! Today, we will be walking you through the process of installing an American Standard toilet.
We will cover everything from removing the old one to connecting the plumbing.
So, whether you are doing this for your home or business, read on for instructions that will make the process easy and straightforward!
Step-by-Step Guide on Installing American Standard Toilet?
Did you just purchase an American Standard toilet and want to know how to install it? Follow this step-by-step guide to install one.
Gather Essentials
To work seamlessly, you need the following tools and materials in addition to your one- or two-piece toilet:
- Adjustable wrench
- Pliers
- Screwdriver (4-in-1 type)
- Level
- Drill
- Brass toilet bolts
- Caulk
- Water line
- Wax ring
- Toilet flange
- A pair of gloves
- Rag
- Utility knife
Once you get all these tools and materials ready, you’re set for installation.
1. Inspect the Toilet Flange
This is the first and most important step. Inspect the toilet flange and ensure that it is even with the toilet floor. If the toilet floor is tiled, make sure that the toilet flange rests on the tiles.
The toilet flange must also be firmly secured to the toilet floor and should not wobble. Since the toilet flange is the foundation of the toilet, any issue with it will definitely affect the whole toilet. Don’t forget to caulk the toilet flange to the toilet floor.
Assuming that you have already removed the old toilet or you haven’t previously installed a toilet, we are laying out the procedure.
You need to ensure that the new American Standard toilet you purchased has the same base size as the toilet flange. Otherwise, you will have to replace the flange.
Also, make sure that there is no gap between the toilet flange and the floor as it can lead to leaks.
Use a level to check if the flange is leveled before proceeding with the installation.
Once you are done inspecting and leveling the toilet flange, you can now proceed to the next step.
2. Check the Drain Hole
Also check the drain hole for any dirt, debris, or blockage and remove them. Most times, there’s a stuffed rag in the drain hole.
Remove any foreign body from the drain hole before installing the toilet. It wouldn’t be a good idea to battle with a clogged toilet a few months after installation.
3. Insert the Wax Ring
While some people will instruct you to insert the wax ring in the toilet base, we recommend that you place it on the toilet flange. The wax ring acts as the seal between the flange and the toilet bowl. Place the wax ring in such a way that the rubber part goes inside the drain pipe.
Some American Standard toilets use a gasket seal. If that applies to you, place the gasket seal on the flange and make sure that it aligns with the toilet T bolts.
After that, you can now proceed to the next step.
4. Set the Toilet Bowl
The last step in the preparation process before installing the American Standard toilet is setting the toilet T bolts. The toilet T bolts should lock in the grooves on either side of the toilet flange.
After that, carefully set the bowl on the toilet flange. It is easier if you are installing a two-piece American Standard toilet because the toilet tank is detached. However, if you’re installing a one-piece American Standard toilet, you will need extra support.
Lift and place the toilet in a way that the holes at its base align with the toilet T bolts. Lower the toilet bowl gently and evenly onto the wax ring. Apply some pressure on the toilet bowl to set it on the wax seal.
Be careful to avoid rocking the bowl, or else the toilet ring may break and there will be leakages.
5. Tighten the Toilet T Bolts
Place the accompanying washers, followed by the nuts, over the inverted end of the T bolts.
First, tighten the nuts by hand before tightening them further with a wrench. Be careful not to overtighten the nuts to avoid cracking the toilet bowl.
Once the toilet bowl is firm and steady, cover the exposed part of the bolts with the bolt caps.
6. Install the Toilet Tank
Now the toilet bowl is set. If you have a one-piece American Standard toilet, you don’t need this step as the toilet tank is already attached. If you have a two-piece American Standard toilet, tighten the tank bolts to the tank accordingly.
After that, set the washers and place the toilet tank on the bowl. Ensure that the tightened tank bolts go rightly into their corresponding holes on the bowl. Also, ensure that the tank-to-bowl gasket is well set.
Place the remaining washers and tighten the nuts underneath the toilet bowl to hold the tank in place. Tighten the nuts well but don’t overtighten. Slightly shake the tank to ensure that it’s firmly in place.
7. Connect the Water Supply Pipe
This is the last step in installing an American Standard toilet. Connect the water supply line to the toilet’s fill valve using the locknut. The water supply line is usually a rubber hose.
After that, turn on the water supply valve to allow water to fill the toilet tank. Pull the flush lever to flush your toilet. look around the toilet tank and bowl for any leakages.
If there are no leakages and your toilet isn’t wobbling, you have successfully installed your American Standard toilet.
American Standard Toilet Seat Installation
Not all American Standard toilets come with a seat. If the toilet you purchase doesn’t come with a seat, you can buy the seat separately.
Just ensure that the seat you’re purchasing is for the toilet model you purchased – you can measure the toilet bowl to get a matching seat.
Also, the toilet seat usually comes with a cover. After buying the toilet seat, follow these steps to install it:
1. Set the Toilet Seat in Place
Set the toilet seat gently on the toilet bowl so that the holes on the seat hinges align with the holes on the toilet seat.
Push the accompanying plastic bolts into these holes. Turn the corresponding nuts clockwise by hand to tighten them on the bolts under the toilet bowl.
You can use an adjustable wrench to tighten the nuts but be careful since they are plastic nuts and bolts.
If the bolts have accompanying plastic caps, snap the caps in place by pushing them down on the bolts. The seat hinges should be firmly in place.
2. Snap the Toilet Seat into Place
You don’t drive the plastic bolt through the hinges of some toilet seats. Instead, you’ll have to install the bolts separately before snapping or sliding the seat hinges into them.
Just ensure that you carefully follow the installation instructions that came with the toilet seat.
How to Replace Toilet Seat with Hidden Bolts American Standard?
The bolts are hidden because they are covered by plastic caps. You can remove these caps with your flat-head screwdriver to expose the bolts.
After that, you can either turn the bolts with a screwdriver to loosen them or turn the corresponding nuts with a wrench to loosen them.
After unbolting, remove the old seat. Then, insert the new toilet seat using the accompanying hardware. Don’t forget to snap the plastic caps to conceal the bolts after tightening them.
Conclusion
Installing an American Standard toilet is easy if you follow the right steps. Just ensure that you have all the necessary tools and hardware before starting the installation process.
Also, don’t forget to read the installation manual that comes with your toilet to avoid making mistakes during installation.
And if you need help, don’t hesitate to call a professional plumber.
If you want to install the toilet seat yourself, ensure that you buy the right seat for your toilet model and follow the instructions that come with the seat.
Installing a hidden bolt toilet seat is easy if you know how to remove the plastic caps concealing the bolts.