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How to remove a toilet

  • Key points:

    • Always turn off the water supply to the toilet before you start removing it.
    • Drain the cistern completely and detach it before loosening the toilet bowl fixings and lifting the toilet off the floor.
    • Cover the waste pipe with tape to prevent smells from entering your bathroom.

Equipment list:

1. Disconnect the water supply

  • Shut off the water supply at the mains before you start work.

    Flush the toilet to empty the cistern. Place a bowl under the filling hose and remove the cover from the cistern. Hold the filling mechanism steady and unscrew the filling hose union with an adjustable wrench. You can unscrew the last few turns by hand.

    Then, unscrew the shut-off valve using an adjustable wrench and adjustable pliers. Fit a seal to a male plug and screw the plug into the end of the water pipe to close it. Tighten with an adjustable wrench and adjustable pliers.

  • Person using an adjustable spanner to unscrew the filling hose union that connects the toilet to the water supply pipe.

2. Detach and drain the cistern

  • Locate the two fixing screws under the cistern. Unscrew the nuts to detach the cistern from the toilet bowl. Take care because water may leak out when you do this. If the nut and screw turn together, use a screwdriver to hold the screws in the bottom of the cistern steady.

    Once the cistern is free, lift it off carefully and empty any remaining water.

  • Person wearing gloves unscrewing a fixing screw connecting a toilet cistern to a toilet bowl by hand.

3. Remove toilet bowl fixings

  • To remove the toilet bowl, first remove the caps covering the fixing screws. Then unscrew the fixing screws from the floor using a ratchet wrench.

    If the bowl is stuck to the floor with a bead of silicone, use a cutter to cut through it.

  • Person using a ratchet wrench to loosen the fixing that connects the toilet bowl to the floor.

4. Remove the toilet bowl

  • Before completely removing the bowl, tilt it backwards to drain the water it contains into the siphon. Finally, pull the toilet bowl towards you to free it from the waste pipe.

    If necessary, use a sealant removing tool to remove the old silicone sealant from the floor.

  • Person tilting a toilet bowl that has been disconnected from the floor towards the waste pipe behind to drain it.

5. Cover the waste pipe

  • While waiting to install a new toilet bowl, cover the end of the waste pipe with adhesive tape to stop unpleasant smells getting into your bathroom.

    You’ve now removed your old bowl and cistern and you’re ready to fit a new toilet, use our how to fit a toilet guide to help.

  • Person applying gaffer tape to the end of a toilet waste pipe to completely cover it.

Removing a toilet FAQs

 

Can I remove a toilet myself?

If you’re confident with basic plumbing tasks, you can remove a toilet yourself. Before you start, make sure you can turn off the water supply and protect the area around the toilet with old towels or dust sheets.

  

Where do I turn the water off in my home?

If you’d prefer to turn off the water supply to your whole home instead of using the isolation valve near the toilet, you’ll need to find the mains stopcock. It’s often found under a kitchen sink or beneath a staircase.
 
If you’re unsure, take a look at our guide to shutting off your water supply for step-by-step help.

 

What tools do I need to remove a toilet?

To remove a toilet, you’ll usually need an adjustable wrench, adjustable pliers, a screwdriver, and a sealant remover tool. It’s also a good idea to have a bucket ready to catch any remaining water, along with some old towels to mop up spills and protect your flooring.