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The good news is that my toilet is finally holding water and does not seem to be leaking. However, the whole process was harder than I thought in some ways and easier in others, so I thought I would share for those of you who might want to do this someday.

A big lesson is that I should not have left so many of my tools in my storage locker. I brought a minimal amount of tools with me, basically screwdrivers, a couple of wrenches, and a hammer, which was not enough. I am going to dig them out and bring them with me when I get to Ohio.

My toilet is on a platform and is in two pieces--a pedestal and the bowl part. It would not have been difficult to dissemble if the first screw not been stripped and I had had more space to work in. Not being able to kneel on my replaced knees made it a lot harder also. (I had to sit or stand and getting up is not easy.) In addition, the two pieces are held together by two plastic pieces that are held in place by a band with a screw mechanism, which of course was way in the back of the toilet.

On a positive note, I turned the water off, but did not even have to remove any of the water hoses. (There are two--one to fill the bowl and another for the rise hose.) In addition, the bowl was not really heavy. I just slid it over and laid it on its side between the vanity and the pedestal. This video was pretty clear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi3TRivsNlQ . In addition, there are instructions on the seal package. I took pictures most of the way through so I would know how to put things back together.

I had to run into the nearby small-town hardware to buy a small socket set because the screwdriver was not working well on undoing the band. I was dripping wet by then. I also was able to clean off the old hard water scale by scraping with a screwdriver and scrubbing the ball flush thing with CLR and an old toothbrush. I also did some much needed cleaning with bleach and soap behind the toilet and of the plastic shield that goes around the toilet. It was easy to put the seals on and move the bowl back into place. (Next time I will put some silicon stuff around the ceramic of the bowl onto the seal.) I put everything back together and Voila! It flushed and held water. However, as I discovered a couple of hours later, it was leaking around the seal and between the bowl and the pedestal. A lot. I was beat and just decided to use the water from the tank overnight, and just sop it all up.

This morning I called Dometic and discovered that I had not put the two plastic pieces back so that they were touching in front and with a gap in the back. Lady said no matter what I did it would leak unless I made sure they were locked together in front. I also realized that the package said the strap had to be tightened to 65 torque pounds. I had tried to use the screwdriver, but I don't think that was tight enough. So it was easy to remove the band, slide the plastic bands around and latch it in the front, and then retighten the strap, except this time used my new ratchet. Yea! So far no leaks.

The strap that needed tightening looks sort of like this: http://www.flagpro.com/store/mounting-straps.html The screw end has both a screwdriver slot on the bolt, and it also fits into a socket from my 1/4 inch drive set. The screwdriver tightened it part way, but I really, really needed that socket and drive handle to get it tight enough. I don't know how you are supposed to have a torque wrench handy that would fit into that tiny space behind the toilet!

Anyway, it took me about three hours, and I saved at least $200 doing it myself. It will be a lot faster next time.

Thank you Judy. My hat's off to you. Now I know I will always hire that job done for me.

I'm with Liz! There's barely enough room for my knees to even sit down, never mind remove the toilet! I'm impressed!

YEA Judy!!!

If you can kneel, it would be a lot easier job. My biggest problem is getting up and down. To remove and replace the band, I just bent over the leaned on the bowl with the lid down, while reaching behind it from both sides. Had to do things by feel more than anything.

Other then the band, there were only four screws to remove, and the bowl was not heavy at all. I just put it on its side next to the toilet--that was the easiest part.

I had been given a quote of $350 and "maybe we'll have to replace the whole toilet" which is why I tried it myself. I did not trust that they would just end up telling me they had to replace the whole thing for another hundred dollars or so--did not trust them. Seals cost about $45. I also bought the seal for the bottom of the pedestal but decided not to use it. Will keep it for someday task.

And the result is a very clean toilet that does not leak water!! I keep looking at it and admiring it.

Hmmmm. Maybe this is a task I can consult on. You know, you do the work, and I will make suggestions from the hallway!

Yea for you Judy! I would hire you as a consultant any time! Lyn

I am very good at not doing the work but making suggestions. That's why I am a teacher!

JudyJB wrote:I am very good at not doing the work but making suggestions. That's why I am a teacher!

Kudo to you.

I paid someone - luckily someone who didn't want to rip me off as I know it was under $100 including parts, when I had it done. I saw how easy it was for him. That said, I'm not going to add tools that I might use once in 10 years, and purchasing them would cost more than the benefit- so next time will hire it out again. That said, I have utmost respect for you tackling this yourself. Awesome job.