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For many homeowners, installing a toilet is very simple, quick and easy, and does not even require a plumber. Moving the toilet into the bathroom is sometimes the most difficult part. However, it is important to perform the operation correctly, and know that if you do need a plumber to do the job, you should not hesitate to contact a local professional.

Since the two main elements are already in place-the toilet flange and the water supply system-just replace the old toilet with a new one. Depending on your toilet type, you may need to adjust the process slightly, but the following steps will ensure a successful installation.

Toilet problems do not always need to be replaced, as they can sometimes be repaired. However, when the toilet is clogged too frequently, you need to consider installing a new toilet. If the porcelain is cracked or severely scratched, you need to install a new toilet.

Some older toilets use up to 6 gallons per flush—close to four times the federal standard. If your old toilet exceeds the federal standard of 1.6 gallons per flush (GPF), you should install a new 1.28 GPF toilet.

The toilet is big and heavy, starting at about 80 pounds. Work with an assistant when moving the toilet.

If it is damaged, the toilet porcelain (glass porcelain) is very sharp, like glass, so handle it carefully. Be especially careful when tightening the bolts at the flange, as this may crack the toilet base. Use old towels to block the open floor flanges to prevent sewer gas leakage.

First turn off the water supply to the toilet on the wall. To do this, manually turn the handle clockwise to close it. Do not overtighten the handle, as it may be made of plastic and may break.

Next, disconnect the water supply line to the toilet (not the wall). Make sure there is a plastic bowl nearby to catch the remaining water in the water supply line. Flush the toilet to remove the water in the tank.

Wearing waterproof gloves, roll up the old towel and insert it into the bowl. Wait about five minutes for the towel to absorb the remaining water. Remove the towel, plastic bolt cap and disc from the bottom of the toilet, and then use a wrench to turn the floor bolt counterclockwise to remove it.

With the help of the assistant, lift the old toilet directly. Don't slide it. Then take the toilet out of the bathroom.

Tuck an old towel into the floor flange (the hole in the floor, at the bottom of the toilet). This not only prevents odors and gases from escaping, but it also prevents tools from falling into the sewer.

Remove the old floor bolts from the flange. Using a putty knife, scrape off the old wax ring from the top of the flange ring. It is usually difficult to remove all the wax, but it takes time to remove as much as possible. Try to scrape and level the top of the flange so that the new toilet is firmly against the flange.

Put the bubble level on the flange and check if the flange is level. Place the spirit level from side to side and front to back.

Using the bolts from the new toilet kit, insert them into the two grooves on the flange ring of the toilet floor. The threaded end of the bolt should face up. The groove on the flange ring allows the bolt to move. Move the bolt so that it is parallel to the wall behind the toilet.

Add a nut to each bolt. Tighten the nut by hand.

With your help, turn the toilet upside down on the carpet or towel. Please note that you should not install a water tank on the toilet.

Remove the plastic from the wax ring. Press the wax ring around the cone-shaped outlet at the bottom of the toilet. Press firmly on the ring until it locks in place.

Remove the towel blocking the flange. With the help of the assistant, turn the toilet face up. Place the toilet directly above the flange, and then place the toilet accurately on the flange, passing the two bolts through the two holes at the bottom of the toilet.

This can be a difficult operation. Knocking on the bolts from the side may break them or damage the toilet porcelain. For this reason, when you and the first assistant are holding the toilet, it is beneficial to have a second assistant who can guide the toilet in place.

Press down on the toilet to flatten the wax ring. Once the toilet base touches the floor, insert the plastic pan into the floor bolt. Add wing nuts and tighten them by hand. Add plastic caps to the bolts by snapping them into place.

Please note that the wing nut should be tightened by hand to prevent the toilet base from cracking. Do not use a wrench to tighten them.

Place the toilet tank on the toilet. Make sure it is facing forward and its hands are facing the room. The rubber gasket on the bottom of the tank is usually tight at first, so you may need to gently rotate the tank back and forth until the tank is in place.

From inside the water tank, insert the plastic bolts provided with the kit. After the end of the bolt appears under the bowl, insert the supplied plastic washer and wing nut. It can only be tightened by hand.

Connect the water supply line to the toilet by turning the plastic nut (connected to the water supply line) clockwise to the toilet. Do not tighten with a wrench. Turn on the water supply slowly. When the toilet tank is filled with water, watch for leaks.

Place the toilet seat on the toilet. Insert the provided plastic bolt down into the seat hinge and the hole on the toilet bowl.

From below, add plastic nuts and tighten them by hand. When doing this, hold the top of the bolt in place to prevent it from turning. Snap the hinged cover down into place.

If you find that the toilet is too heavy to manage, or you feel uncomfortable with any part of the installation process, ask a licensed plumber to install the toilet. If you find that the flange is broken or the water supply leaks after removing the old toilet, please ask a plumber to repair it.

If you find that the floor or subfloor is badly decomposed after removing the toilet, please ask a licensed contractor or carpenter to repair it before installing the toilet.

Lee is a home improvement writer and content creator. As a professional home furnishing expert and avid DIY enthusiast, he has decades of experience in decorating and writing houses. When he doesn't use drills or hammers, Li likes to solve difficult family topics for readers of various media.

Lexie is an assistant editor responsible for writing and editing articles on various family-related topics. She has nearly four years of experience in the home improvement field and has used her expertise while working for companies such as HomeAdvisor and Angi (formerly Angie's List).