Tips & Advice · 2 min read

Toilet Installation Mistakes to Avoid in Northglenn Homes

Swapping out a Toilet is a common plumbing project for homes in Northglenn, CO, but it often leads to unexpected leaks if the installation is not done correctly. Northglenn Drain Service frequently sees plumbing problems caused by simple errors during Toilet Installation in Northglenn. One of the most frequent mistakes involves the wax ring. When homeowners in Northglenn replace a Toilet, the wax ring must be aligned properly to prevent water from leaking onto the floor. If the Toilet is placed down and then lifted or shifted back into position, the wax ring will crush unevenly, which causes slow leaks that damage subflooring over time. Another major issue is over-tightening the bolts on the Toilet bowl. Northglenn Drain Service notes that tightening the flange bolts too much can crack the porcelain base of the Toilet, forcing a complete replacement of the fixture. The bolts need to be snug and even on both sides, but they do not require excessive force. Plumbing connections also cause trouble when supply lines are reused without inspection. Older supply lines and fill valves can fail under new water pressure, leading to sudden water damage. Northglenn Drain Service provides expert Toilet Installation and plumbing repair services for homes throughout Northglenn, Colorado, making sure every component is sealed and secured properly from the start.

← Back to Blog Completed toilet installation work at a residential property in Northglenn, CO

Northglenn Drain Service receives many calls to fix a brand new toilet that was put in wrong just a week prior. People think dropping a new bowl on the floor is a quick Saturday afternoon do-it-yourself project, but things get messy fast. Over the years running Northglenn Drain Service in Northglenn, CO, our team has seen every kind of botched setup you can imagine during a Toilet Installation.

Ignoring the Condition of the Old Flange During Toilet Installation

That plastic or cast-iron ring sitting flush with your bathroom floor takes a beating over the decades. If your home was built back in the 1970s around Webster Lake, that flange might be rusted out, cracked, or sitting at the wrong height entirely. Plumbers walk into Northglenn homes all the time where someone tried to force a new wax ring onto a broken flange, and it leaks right down into the subfloor. Homeowners in Northglenn have to inspect that base before anything else happens during a Toilet Installation.

Buying the Wrong Rough-In Size for Your Toilet Installation

Measuring twice is very important for a proper Toilet Installation. Most standard toilets require a twelve-inch rough-in, which is the distance from the finished wall to the center of the waste pipe. But if you live in some of our older pockets in Northglenn with unique layout quirks, you might have a ten-inch or fourteen-inch rough-in instead. Grab a tape measure before you head down to the hardware store, or you will end up with a bowl that literally jams against your baseboard or leaves a massive three-inch gap behind the tank.

Over-Tightening the Bolt Nuts on Your Toilet

Everyone worries about leaks, so they crank down on those floor bolts and tank bolts until their hands cramp. Northglenn Drain Service advises you not to do that. Porcelain cracks easier than you think, and once you hear that sharp pop, your brand new fixture is ruined. Snug is plenty tight, especially when you have a fresh rubber gasket doing its job. A little common sense goes a long way here during any Toilet Installation in Northglenn.

  • Skipping the new supply line and reusing crusty old braided hoses
  • Ignoring a wobbly base instead of shimming it properly
  • Forgetting to check the shut-off valve before turning the water back on

Taking your time saves you from dealing with ruined drywall downstairs or a flooded bathroom floor. If you run into a snag or the flange is completely rotted out, Northglenn Drain Service is here for all your Toilet Installation needs in Northglenn.

Ready to Get Started in Northglenn?

Contact Northglenn Drain Service today for a free, no-obligation estimate on your project.

Get Your Free Quote