How to Replace a Toilet Drain Pipe Part 2

In Part 1 of this guide to replacing a toilet drain pipe, you learned how to remove the toilet, take out the flange, cut off the flooring, and take out the closet pipe. In this part of the guide, you will learn how to cut out the pieces for the replacement drain, add the straight pipe and the closet bend join the cut pieces together. Once you are ready to begin cutting your pipes, you should be able to complete the project in a few hours.

Step 1 - Cutting Down your Pipes

Before you start cutting out the pipes, you will need to know how long the new pipe drain needs to be. Measure out the length of space between the join on the toilet, and the pipe where the closet bend used to be. This is the length that you will need to cut your straight pipe to. Measure carefully, and add ½-inch to the end, which is the space you will need to slot the pipe in carefully. You should then cut your pipes using a snap cutter, which will sever the pipe without compressing the edges, making it an ideal pipe cutter.

Step 2 - Fitting the Elbow

The next step is to fit the elbow into the part of the pipe which you previously remove the bend from. Add a little joint cement to the inside edge of the bend, and then lift it up from the floor. Push the bend into the pipe, tightening the bolt connection if necessary, and then give it a small twist to ensure that it fits securely on. You will be able to feel with your hands when it has moved into the correct position.

Step 3 - Installing the Long Piece

Lay your long piece of pipe into the hole beneath the floor. Push it into position, and then add a little joint cement to the end which will be placed in the toilet drain fitting. Push the long piece and the bend together, and hold them into place. Allow the glue to harden. Before you complete the replacement, run a little water through the drain, and make sure that your replacement pipes are watertight.

Step 4 - Add the Toilet

Once the pipes are in position and are water tight, fit the flange back into the drain. You will be able to push this into place to secure it, and once is it flat with the floor, you can tighten the flange screws to that it is held in place. Ensure that you have fitted the flange correctly before putting the toilet on top. Screw the toilet bolts down into position, taking care to move the toilet around until it fits properly on the plate below.