Marianne Martinez
Setting a toilet pan is a challenging task that requires a lot of patience and the right tools. The process involves removing the old toilet, cleaning the area, installing the new toilet's cistern and flushing mechanism, connecting the toilet to the soil pipe and water supply, securing the toilet to the floor, and finally, installing the toilet seat. The toilet pan can be secured to the floor using a sand and cement mix (mortar) or clear sanitary-grade silicone. It is important to ensure that the toilet is level and all fittings are tight to prevent leaks.
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What You'll Learn
Prepare the area and remove the old toilet
Before installing a new toilet, it is important to prepare the area and remove the old toilet properly. Start by ensuring that the water supply to the toilet is turned off. This can be done by turning off the cistern supply or switching off the home's water supply at the mains. Once the water supply is turned off, flush the toilet to remove as much water from the tank and bowl as possible. Put on gloves and use a large sponge to absorb any remaining water in the tank and bowl.
Next, disconnect the old toilet from the water supply and carefully lift it up from the floor. Remove the toilet from the bathroom and place it on an old towel or tarp until it can be disposed of properly. If the toilet is heavy, unscrew the bolts from the inside of the tank to make it lighter before removing it. Once the toilet is removed, clean the floor area and the flange, ensuring they are free of old wax and grime.
If you are installing the new toilet in the same location, you will need to plug the drain opening with an old rag or cloth to prevent any debris or odours from escaping. It is also important to check the closet flange, which is the connecting point between the toilet and the drainpipe. Ensure that the flange is securely attached to the floor and replace it if it is damaged or cracked.
Additionally, if you are using a mortar bed to secure the toilet pan, you will need to carefully mark the outline of the area to be covered by the toilet pan. Score the floor tiles with a tile cutter or angle grinder to create a rough surface for the mortar to bind to. Remove any dust or loose materials from the tiles before applying the mortar.
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Fit a wax ring and bolts
When fitting a new wax ring, it is recommended to install new bolts at the same time. Before fitting the wax ring, you must first remove the toilet. To do this without making a mess, have a bucket, sponge, and towels nearby to catch water drips when you turn off and disconnect the water supply line. Before replacing your toilet, ensure the water supply is shut off. Detach the water supply line hose from the toilet fill valve and the compression nut. Place a protective covering on the bathroom floor or bathtub, depending on where you will be placing the toilet while changing the wax seal.
Remove the caps that cover the bolts and washers. This can be done by inserting a flathead screwdriver under the edge of each cap and gently prying upwards. Be cautious not to exert too much pressure on the china to avoid chipping or cracking. If the bolts have corroded, first apply penetrating oil and allow it to seep over the threads for a few minutes before loosening the bolts. With an adjustable wrench, apply only moderate pressure to loosen the bolts. If the bolt spins as you turn the nut, you’ll need to grasp the bolt with a separate pair of pliers while removing the nuts. If you aren’t planning on installing new bolts, nuts and washers, store the existing ones so they don’t get lost.
Open the new wax ring and centre it on the flange. If your wax ring has a sloped edge, place it upside down so the narrow end of the wax ring touches the flange. Wax rings are made from a moulded wax loop around a short plastic tube and can last 20 to 30 years if they’re well-maintained. They are also inexpensive and shape themselves to fit almost any toilet and floor drain. Once the wax ring is in place, centre the toilet base over the toilet bolts on the floor. Carefully pick up the new toilet base and set it down directly over the flange so the bolts extend through the bottom sides of the toilet. Then, press down and rock the toilet back and forth so it seals to the wax ring.
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Secure the pan to the floor
Securing a toilet pan to the floor can be done in several ways. One common method is to use a sand and cement mix (mortar). This involves marking the floor with the footprint of the toilet pan, cutting a hole in the floor for a key, mixing a stiff batch of mortar, spreading the mortar on the floor and under the pan, and carefully placing the pan on top of the mortar bed. The excess mortar is then dressed away, and the floor is cleaned with a damp sponge.
Another popular method is to use clear sanitary-grade silicone. This involves placing the toilet pan in its desired location, using small packers or wedges to level the pan, applying silicone to the gap between the floor and the pan, and spraying a solution of soap and water over the silicone to remove any excess. It is recommended to leave the toilet pan for at least 24 hours before use to allow the silicone to set properly.
In some cases, people may choose to use a combination of silicone and screws. This involves applying silicone to the base of the toilet pan and using screws to secure the pan to the floor through the sides or using L-shaped brackets. The screws can be brass or concrete screws, depending on the floor type. It is important to note that the screws should not be over-tightened to avoid damaging the toilet pan.
Additionally, some toilet pans may come with a fixing kit that includes screws, plastic sleeves, and caps to hide the screw heads. It is recommended to follow the specific instructions for the toilet pan model when using a fixing kit.
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Connect the pan to the soil pipe
Connecting a new toilet to an existing soil pipe is a simple process. You will need to install a pan connector into the soil pipe. First, apply a silicone lubricant to the end of the pan connector. Then, insert the small end of the pan connector into the soil pipe in the wall.
If your toilet does not meet the soil pipe, you have a few options. You can either shorten the soil pipe and then use an adapter, or remove some of the tiling above the soil pipe to provide some extra space. If you have a tiled wall, you will need to knock the tile off and put in a longer pan connector. Alternatively, you can use a second pan connector into the first one with an insert, but this may not fit.
If you are connecting a new toilet that is the only one in the house, you simply need to refit the new toilet where the old one was. You might need to play around with the soil pipe measurements. However, if you have more than one toilet in your house, you will need to take extra care. First, measure your toilet’s new flange and cut your pipe so that it will fit. Then, add a slip coupling to your soil pipe at the end where the main stack is. Next, connect the flange on the opposite end using a push-fit connection. Finally, slide the slip coupler up so that it connects the soil pipe to the new toilet’s flange, and then seal both ends with more slip couplings.
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Install the cistern and test the flush
Now that you have installed the toilet pan, it's time to install the cistern and test the flush.
First, turn off the water supply to the water inlet hose by turning the shut-off valve on the side of your cistern. This will allow you to work on the cistern without spilling water everywhere. You can also turn off the main power, but this is usually unnecessary. If your cistern is fitted with a cable, you can work on it without removing the flushing control. Otherwise, you will have to remove the flushing control and the cistern cover. If the flushing control is a knob type, simply unscrew it. For a button-type flushing control, there are two methods depending on the model.
Next, install the flush valve base into the cistern outlet. Ensure that the black rubber washer is inside the cistern and use only the white washer plus nut to screw into the base. You can use plumbing tape to ensure the seal is tight and waterproof. Then, install the flush valve body back into the base, rotating it slowly until it is firmly secure. Do not use force or any tools.
Now, adjust the water level to determine the quantity of water released in each flush. You can lower the float to lower the water level and raise the float to increase the water level. The adjustable distance for the green partial flush float is 60mm (2-1/4"), and for the red adjustment button, it is 20mm (13-16"). After adjusting, cut the excess adjustable rod to the preferred length, and put the push button into the cistern cover hole.
Finally, turn the water supply back on and let the cistern fill. Flush the toilet a few times to test it and check for leaks. If you notice any leaks, you may need to replace your cistern if repairing or tightening the pipes does not work.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a supply of old towels, an old washing-up bowl, a bucket, a wrench, a screwdriver, a pipe wrench, a utility knife, a level, a tape measure, a putty knife, a damp cloth, a spirit level, a drill, a spanner, a trowel or drill and mixing attachment, a tile cutter or angle grinder, a stud detector, eye protection, dust masks, and safety gloves.
You will need a wax ring, bolts and washers, plumber's putty, white silicone sealant, a cloakroom basin (if required), a sand and cement mix (mortar), and clear sanitary-grade silicone.
First, ensure the area is clean and free from debris. If you are replacing an old toilet, disconnect and remove it properly. Clean the floor area and the flange, ensuring they are free of old wax and grime. Next, install the cistern components, including the syphon and water inlet valve. Then, install the pan connector into the soil pipe using silicone lubricant. Put the toilet into place, using a spirit level to ensure the cistern is straight. Mark the holes on the wall where the cistern will connect, drill holes, and screw the cistern into place. Screw screws through the holes at the bottom of the pan to fix it to the floor. Install the flexi pipe and connect it to the cold water supply and the toilet inlet valve. Install the toilet lid and seat, and check that the flush button is working.
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