Toilet removal?

Question

i am renovating a bathroom in my house. i need to have the entire toilet removed so i can get to the wall behind it. my question is since it is going to take me about 2 weeks to finish (i can only work on it on the weekends) will it pose any problems to leave it removed for that long? is there anything special i need to know to prevent any problems with health issues or plumbing once it is taken out?

Answer 1

Since it sounds like your living there you could have some problems.  I'm assuming you have another bathroom in the house.  Where is this renovation located?  Above or below the other bath?  All of your drains in your home are could be connected all the way down to the main drain.  Smell could be an issue, I really don't think water would be though unless you had a backup somewhere.  If your renovation is on the second floor, above all other plumbing you should be just fine.  I think a bad smell is all you'll have to worry about.  I'd find something to plug it up for the time being.  Especially since your working all around it.  The last thing you want is something going in that pipe.

Answer 2

Drain the toilet by turning off the water on the wall behind the toilet, hold down the handle till most of the water is gone, use a sponge to remove the rest from the bowl and the tank.

Remove the toilet.  I usually put it in another room on a plastic tarp.  Stuff a rag in the hole in the floor to prevent sewer gas from wafting up into the room.

Remember how many rags you put down there and please remember to remove them before you replace the toilet.

Answer 3

I would put an expansion plug in the drain while the work is being done.  The expansion plug will have  a wing nut on it so it can be tightened up nice and snug.  If by any chance there is a plumbing backup while you do the work and just a rag is in the drain the sewage will push the rag out and you will have a serious mess to deal with.  It does not hurt to be a little extra cautious with this situation.

Answer 4

no issues with health or plumbing,just put something in the hole,like a bath towel and cover hole with a piece of wood to kept any sewer gas from coming up,hope this helps.

Answer 5

Just make sure you plug the hole with a towel or large rag to keep the sewer Oder from coming back up the pipe. You don't have a trap on a toilet pipe, it's builted into the toilet.

Answer 6

Just stuff something down the hole after removing the toilet to prevent sewer gases from coming up. An old towel is fine. Just remember to remove it before installing the toilet again with a new wax ring.