Waking up to a broken toilet can be extremely frustrating. Whether you notice a constant running, some leaking water, or a massive crack in the porcelain, a toilet replacement may be your best option. However, if the bowl of your toilet is still in great condition, do you have to replace the entire toilet?
If the toilet bowl is in good condition, it is possible (and best practice) to simply replace your toilet tank. This can be done relatively cheaply and is easy to do yourself without hiring a professional. Just make sure you get a toilet tank compatible with your existing toilet.
Keep reading to learn more about how to replace the toilet tank without the help of a professional and why you may want to replace this one part instead of purchasing a brand new toilet.
Why You Should Only Replace the Toilet Tank?
Many homeowners will see a broken toilet and automatically assume that they need to replace the entire thing.
However, manufacturers often sell toilet tanks and bowls separately, making replacing only one or the other possible in most cases.
You’ll just need to ensure that the tank you purchase matches your current bowl since these parts are not universal and cannot be mixed and matched easily.
If your plumbing issue is with the tank specifically and the bowl of your toilet is in working order, you should consider replacing just the tank to save time and money.
This replacement can be done in a few easy steps, and a do-it-yourself tank replacement costs significantly less than having a professional install a brand-new toilet.
How To Replace a Toilet Tank
Replacing a toilet tank is relatively simple and can quickly be done without hiring a professional.
Here are the steps to follow when replacing a toilet tank:
- Turn off the water supply and drain the tank. This first step is crucial, and you must do this before moving on with your repair. If you forget to turn the water supply off before removing the tank, it will not only make a mess but could cause damage to the bathroom. Be sure to turn the supply off and completely drain the tank before continuing.
- Remove the supply hose and bolts from the tank. Now that the water supply is off, you can remove the supply hose from the tank. You’ll also want to start taking off all the bolts holding the tank to the bowl.
- Remove the tank from the bowl. Now that your tank is fully disconnected, you can remove the tank from the bowl. You should be able to just lift the tank up since all the bolts have been removed.
- Add rubber washers to the bolts of the new tank. Before installing the new tank, you’ll want to add rubber washers to the new bolts to ensure a proper fit.
- Put the new tank on the toilet. Next, you can put the new tank onto the toilet.
- Tighten the new bolts and reconnect the hose. Be sure to tighten the bolts to properly secure the new tank to the bowl. You can also reconnect the water supply hose at this time.
- Turn the water supply back on. After everything is fully installed, you’ll need to turn the water supply back on so you can use your new toilet.
That’s it! Those are all the steps necessary to replace your toilet tank at home.
Cost of Replacing a Toilet Tank
Another advantage of replacing only a toilet tank and doing the labor yourself is the cost.
A new toilet tank will cost anywhere from $35 to $250, depending on the manufacturer and type of tank you purchase.
Since a total toilet replacement can cost several hundred dollars, if you can replace only the tank, it can be a great cost saver.
Additionally, installing the new tank yourself can save you hundreds in labor costs.
Cost may vary depending on where you live, but a plumber may charge anywhere from $100 to $300 to repair your toilet. This makes replacing the toilet tank yourself an attractive option.
READ: What Are the Parts Inside the Toilet Tank Called?
Conclusion
In conclusion, don’t rush to call a plumber if you wake up to a broken toilet.
Take a few minutes to inspect the cause of the issue, and if it is indeed the tank that is broken, you should consider replacing it and doing the labor yourself.
Toilet tanks are sold separately from bowls and can be installed with just a few simple steps.
Doing this repair yourself will save you time and money by not having to replace a whole toilet and not paying a professional for their labor costs.
Cheers, tools owners!
