Installing a toilet

[Sully]

We are going to go buy a new toilet, and I have 2 questions...


1) Any recommendations? We have about $300 to work with.

2) Is it a job I can do on my own? My FIL has me a little worried about doing it... something about a wax seal. So should I find someone to help with it, or is it a pretty simple deal?

Originally Posted by Jilly

Does the American Standard Toilet a) sit up higher, because this was granny's idea when she almost got stuck on our old one and b) ecologically friendly, but still flushes like an airplane toilet?

Yes, the elongated bowl version sits higher. Yes, it uses the same 1.6 gallons per flush every other toilet sold in the US uses.

[cardken]

A busted flange or rotting floor would be worst case scenario. Been replacing them for years do a little reading before hand, and should be no problem. I'm amazed at how little and timid people are about doing home improvement, with the parts ready availible and wealth of knowledge on the net, why anyone would pay to have anything above a level 3 project done by someone else.

[Skip Towne]

Originally Posted by cardken

A busted flange or rotting floor would be worst case scenario. Been replacing them for years do a little reading before hand, and should be no problem. I'm amazed at how little and timid people are about doing home improvement, with the parts ready availible and wealth of knowledge on the net, why anyone would pay to have anything above a level 3 project done by someone else.

We do it so Phobia can take fancy vacations.

[Sully]

Originally Posted by cardken

A busted flange or rotting floor would be worst case scenario. Been replacing them for years do a little reading before hand, and should be no problem. I'm amazed at how little and timid people are about doing home improvement, with the parts ready availible and wealth of knowledge on the net, why anyone would pay to have anything above a level 3 project done by someone else.

I'm very timid about that kind of stuff. I've been doing more little things since we got this new house, but every little thing I do I'm scared of for a few reasons...

1) It's just not something my dad ever took the time to teach me while I was growing up. It's the same with cars. Whenever he'd work on something, I was very disinterested, and he never really welcomed me to help. Not his fault... I just wasn't all that helpful.

2) When my dad did projects as I was growing up, they always got done, but with all kinds of crazy stuff just barely wrong. For instance, he redid our kitchen once. The hole he cut for the sink was too big, and so for the rest of the time we lived there, there was a matter of a fraction of a millimeter of formica and wood holding that sink up.

3) I really like my house, and the few things wrong with it really get under my skin to the point where I have trouble sleeping at night thinking about it. I can't imagine how shitty I'd feel if I was the one that ****ed it up to begin with.


...all that said, I have been doing more of that type of stuff, and trying to learn to be a better handyman. I always felt it was a huge part of me that was missing. So...we'll see.

[PastorMikH]

Originally Posted by Phobia

October work for you?

$450 for the American Standard and have you bring it to me and install it? Sure. Though the longer you wait, the more the crap is gonna pile up in the old one.

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

We do it so Phobia can take fancy vacations.

Right. This line of work would barely pay to send me to the Ozarks. No, that cruise was paid for by somebody but it wasn't me.

Originally Posted by PastorMikH

$450 for the American Standard and have you bring it to me and install it? Sure. Though the longer you wait, the more the crap is gonna pile up in the old one.

I'll put you on my schedule when your check clears.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Right. This line of work would barely pay to send me to the Ozarks. No, that cruise was paid for by somebody but it wasn't me.

In my old house my mother busted a pipe trying to fix my sink and the flow of water (by the grace of God) somehow missed the massive surge protector by about 6 inches. It might have fried them both.

Dead mother + Dead wife = Cruise and game room to rival Zoner...

[PastorMikH]

Originally Posted by Phobia

I'll put you on my schedule when your check clears.

I was planning on paying cash once it passes the mexican buffet test.

[Sully]

Well, I did it.
Went and bought an American Standard elongated, and installed the toilet. It was easier than I thought... it only took about 90 minutes. The only problem I had was that the bolts to the floor were too long, so I cant put the caps on them, but that's pretty minor.

Thanks to everyone for the advice and help. I appreciate it.

[Fairplay]

Place the old toilet in the front yard and plant flowers in it.

It will be an eye turner for sure.

Those bolts can be cut off with a dremel or hack saw. The brass is very soft.

[Sully]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Those bolts can be cut off with a dremel or hack saw. The brass is very soft.

Unfortunately, I don't have one right now. I may be able to borrow one from someone, though, so thanks.

[Sully]

Originally Posted by Fairplay

Place the old toilet in the front yard and plant flowers in it.

It will be an eye turner for sure.

I actually suggested that to my wife.
She declined the idea.
I think I'm just going to have to drag it to the dump.

Originally Posted by Sully

I actually suggested that to my wife.
She declined the idea.
I think I'm just going to have to drag it to the dump.

Bust it up with a hammer and put it in your regular trash.