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Most toilets weigh between 50 and 100 pounds, depending on the material, size, and style. Some toilets can be disassembled into multiple pieces, which can make them easier to carry and dispose of. If you’re concerned that a toilet is too heavy to remove and lift on your own, enlist help or use a dolly to support the weight rather than carrying it yourself.

A standard toilet flange should fit snugly into the outflow pipe and sit level with the subfloor. Installing a new one without first removing the old one will make it impossible to form a seal and keep the toilet bowl bolted securely in place. 

However, if you’re dealing with leakage or wobbling because you’ve installed a new type of bathroom tile (making the floor taller), you may be able to avoid fully replacing the flange by opting for a toilet flange extender. Extenders typically come in kits for easy DIY installation, fit over the existing flange, and bring the drain connection higher.

The lifespan of a toilet can vary significantly. While the porcelain body itself can last up to 50 years or more with proper care, most plumbers suggest an average functional lifespan of 10 to 25 years, and many homeowners replace their toilets after about 20 years.

A toilet's longevity is influenced by factors like maintenance quality, hard water buildup, and damage to the finish. It's also important to note that internal components have much shorter lifespans than the bowl; for example, flappers may last only a few years, while fill valves can last around 10 years.

Even if an older toilet is still functional, consider upgrading to a high-efficiency model to save on water costs.

While the toilet bowl and toilet tank require haul away to your curb, landfill, or recycling center, you can dispose of your old, used toilet seat in your regular garbage collection. If your toilet seat is plastic or duroplast, you can even recycle it instead at a local recycling facility.