Gently rock the bowl from side to side to break the seal between the bowl and the floor. Lift the bowl straight up keeping it level. Stuff a rag into the drainpipe to minimize unpleasant sewage odors and to keep debris from getting in the pipe.
To prepare the floor flange, scrape the old wax gasket with a putty knife and remove the old hold-down bolts from the floor flange. Thoroughly scrape the flange to prevent leaks at the base of the new bowl. Make sure to use a soft towel if you place any bolts or material on the sink or tub.
Check the floor flange for deterioration. If it is cracked or broken – or if you just want to guard against possible problems in the future then replace it with a copper or plastic one that can be so9ldered or cemented in place. Set the new floor bolts in the plumbers putty and insert them through the flange. Adjust the bolts so that they line up with the center of the drainpipe.
