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Normally, we'd pay a professional, but -- given the circumstances -- currently we loath bringing a stranger into the house. Likewise, finding anyone willing to go into a stranger's how to replace their toilet may be a problem too.

Is it something I can do myself -- with the help from the rest of the household? The current one is by Toto, and we're no longer "in love" with the pricey brand -- can I order a different one, or is that likely to increase the amount of work to the point of insurmountable?

For example, will the bolts holding the current bowl fit right into the new one, or is that not at all a given, and we should order the exact same model?

Or is a professional pretty much required anyway and we may just as well get a different design?

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    Home RenoVision DIY has a great channel with lots of video tutorials This one's perfect for what you're looking for. youtube.com/watch?v=54eT2NXechM
    – user12031119
    Commented Mar 26, 2020 at 3:46
  • Thanks, this was quite useful indeed. In the video he sets the wax-seal into the drain first and then "aims" the toilet into it. Our toilet's instructions were different -- attach the seal to the toilet first, then "aim" it into the drain -- and we followed that. But it seems to work -- and things are still dry around it two days later...
    – Mikhail T.
    Commented Apr 1, 2020 at 19:37

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Yes you can.

You will just need to remove the bolts that are at the bottom of the bowl and then raise the toilet up. I recommend flushing it first as it'll be lighter. ALso have a trash bag handy. Although you have flushed the toilet, there's usually still some water in it. I recommend one person lift the toilet up and another person put the bag under the bowl to catch any water that may run out.

Then you'll need to scrap the wax ring off of the pipe in the floor.

Then install a new wax ring in the same location as the previous one. Do not press on it.

Then install your new toilet over the bolts and tighten them.

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  • Thanks for the reassurance. So, can I just as easily install a different model, or are the bolts unlikely to fit and I should get the same one?
    – Mikhail T.
    Commented Mar 26, 2020 at 2:07
  • Welcome If your replacement toilet has bolts that comes with it, then use those. Otherwise use the same ones that you currently have.
    – almostengr
    Commented Mar 26, 2020 at 2:19
  • What about the ones protruding from the floor? Will the replacement just fit over them, or am going to have to make new holes, etc?
    – Mikhail T.
    Commented Mar 26, 2020 at 3:07
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    Be careful not to break them, the pieces are RAZOR sharp and can literally slice you to the bone if things go really sideways
    – Ack
    Commented Mar 26, 2020 at 19:42
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    Thanks to all -- yes, it proved easier than I was afraid it will be.
    – Mikhail T.
    Commented Apr 1, 2020 at 19:35
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Hiring a professional is always an option, but to do it yourself:

  1. Don't forget to turn the water valve off!
  2. There's 2 bolts; use a 1/2" wrench take them off.
  3. Then pull the toilet up.
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