Domakihub How to Install a Toilet: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Everything you need to know to fit a new toilet without leaks or wobbles.
Reviewed by Domakihub home & decor pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
Replacing a toilet is one of the most rewarding plumbing jobs a homeowner can tackle — it requires no special licenses in Greece for a straightforward swap, and doing it yourself can save a significant call-out fee. Whether you manage a holiday rental in Crete, run a small hotel on a Greek island, or simply want to upgrade the bathroom in your Athens apartment, a properly fitted toilet protects floors and walls from the slow water damage that a bad seal causes over time. Watch the video above for a visual walkthrough, then follow the steps below for a clear, ordered guide you can print and take to the bathroom with you.
What You Will Need Before You Start
Gather all materials before you turn off the water supply. You will need: the new toilet (bowl and cistern if separate), a new wax ring or silicone gasket set, a new toilet seat if not included, an adjustable wrench, a putty knife, rubber gloves, a bucket and sponge, a level, a measuring tape, and PTFE (Teflon) tape for threaded connections. In Greece, standard WC rough-in distance from the finished wall to the centre of the drain flange is typically 23 cm or 30 cm — measure yours before purchasing a toilet so the footprint lines up.
Pick a toilet that suits the water pressure of your property. Older buildings and island properties often have low-pressure supply lines, so a gravity-flush cistern (the most common type sold in Greece) will work reliably without needing a pump. Check that the cistern fill valve is compatible with supply pressures between 0.5 and 8 bar.
Safety and Regulatory Notes for Greek Properties
In Greece, replacing a toilet on a like-for-like basis does not normally require a building permit, but any change to the drain stack position does. If you are working in a registered tourist accommodation (AMA number), the property must pass periodic health and safety inspections — a leaking toilet seal can flag a hygiene violation, so use a quality wax ring and recheck the seal after 24 hours.
Turn off the mains water supply at the isolation valve under the cistern or at the stopcock before starting. Properties connected to Greek municipal water networks can have higher than expected midday pressure in some areas; confirm the isolation valve is fully closed by flushing to empty the cistern before disconnecting any hose.
How to Install a Toilet: 5 Steps
- 1
Remove the old toilet
Shut off the water supply, flush to drain the cistern, then use a sponge and bucket to remove any remaining water from both cistern and bowl. Disconnect the supply hose from the cistern. Unscrew the two floor bolts (cappings at the base) using an adjustable wrench and rock the toilet gently to break the old wax seal. Lift the toilet straight up — it can weigh 25–35 kg, so get a second person to help. Stuff a rag into the open drain flange immediately to block sewer gases while you work.
- 2
Prepare the drain flange and set the new bolts
Scrape away all old wax or gasket material from the flange surface using a putty knife, wearing rubber gloves. Inspect the flange for cracks; a broken plastic flange must be repaired or replaced before continuing, otherwise the toilet will rock and the seal will fail. Slide two new closet bolts (T-bolts) into the slots on either side of the flange so they stand upright, positioned so a line between them runs parallel to the wall.
- 3
Fit the wax ring onto the toilet
Press the wax ring onto the outlet horn on the underside of the bowl with the plastic funnel (if present) pointing away from the toilet. Alternatively, place the ring onto the flange — both methods work, but horn-mounted is easier for beginners because you can see the alignment clearly. Do not compress the wax before setting the toilet; handle it as little as possible and keep it at room temperature (wax stiffens in cold bathrooms, so warm it briefly if needed).
- 4
Lower the toilet onto the flange and secure it
With a helper, lift the bowl and align the two holes in its base with the upright bolts. Lower the toilet straight down — do not slide it sideways once the wax makes contact, as this distorts the seal. Apply steady downward pressure by sitting on the toilet or pressing firmly on the rim until the base sits flush with the floor. Thread the washers and nuts onto the bolts finger-tight, then alternate sides with a wrench, tightening gradually and evenly. Check with a level; shim with plastic toilet shims if the floor is uneven. Snap or cut the bolts to length and press the caps on. Do not overtighten — you can crack a ceramic base.
- 5
Reconnect the water supply and test
If fitting a separate cistern, bolt it to the bowl using the rubber gasket and tank bolts supplied, tightening evenly to avoid cracking the porcelain. Reconnect the supply hose to the fill valve, wrapping the thread with PTFE tape first. Turn the water supply back on slowly. Check every connection for drips while the cistern fills. Flush three times and watch the base for any seepage. Once confirmed dry, fit the toilet seat, apply a thin bead of white silicone sealant around the rear of the base where it meets the floor (leave the front open so any future leak is visible rather than trapped), and allow 24 hours before grouting or tiling around it.
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FAQ
- Do I need a plumber to install a toilet in Greece?
- For a straight replacement — same position, same drain connections — Greek law does not require a licensed plumber. However, if you are moving the toilet to a new drain location or working in a building that requires certified plumbing sign-off (for example a newly constructed building under the building permit), a licensed technician (installatoras) is required. For tourist rentals, a correctly installed toilet is part of the EOT/MITAT standards, so quality workmanship matters even if no permit is needed.
- How long does it take to replace a toilet?
- An experienced DIYer can complete the job in 1 to 2 hours. Allow extra time if the old wax ring is stuck, if the floor bolts are corroded (common in Greek coastal properties due to salt air), or if you need to repair the drain flange. Having all parts ready before you start is the single biggest time-saver.
- Why does my new toilet rock or wobble after installation?
- Rocking almost always means the floor bolts are not tight enough or the floor surface is uneven. Re-check that both nuts are snug (not overtightened) and slide plastic toilet shims under the base where it does not contact the floor. Once shimmed and stable, trim the shims flush and seal with silicone. A toilet that rocks will eventually break the wax seal and cause leaks, so fix any movement before putting the toilet into regular use.