It’s officially summer! Like many people, you may have taken some personal vacation days or have extra time on weekends for some DIY projects that will protect your home and keep things working smoothly. Here we have some quick tips on three home projects you can complete this summer.

Install a new toilet

Does that old toilet need replacing? There’s no need to call a professional. And don’t worry—it’s not as hard as it sounds! You just have to dedicate a few hours for the project and prepare the right tools and parts. Remember to prepare the plumbing for the new installation, too. This way, you can be sure that the new toilet will not only look and work great—it can actually reduce your water bills, too.

When you’re ready, follow these steps to installing the new toilet:

  1. Find the shut-off valve for the water and turn it off. Remove the old toilet.
  2. Check the old toilet’s bolts and flange. If they’re still in good condition, they can still be reused for the new toilet.
  3. Install the new wax ring. Danco offers an All-in-One Toilet Installation Kit with Zero Cut bolts and Perfect Seal, or you can get the Perfect Seal Toilet Wax Ring with Bolts.
  4. Put the toilet bowl on the flange and align the toilet bolt holes at the base of the bowl. The bolts must be in the flange. Danco’s toilet kits have all the bolts you’ll need, but if you only need the bolts, use the Zero Cut Bolts. Alignment bullets will let you position the toilet with ease.
  5. Tighten the bolts to secure the toilet. Danco’s Zero Cut Bolts won’t require any further sawing, unlike when you use ordinary toilet bolts that need to be trimmed with a hacksaw.

    6. Pro tip: Avoid caulking the new toilet around its base. When there’s a leak, the caulk will trap water and damage the floor as it accumulates.

  6. Test for leaks by slowly activating the water shut-off valve to fill the toilet tank. Flush and check the base and the spot where the bowl and tank meet.

    7. Pro tip: Use a leak-detecting dye to make it easier to find leaks.

Replace your worn-out tub spout

Bathtub spouts may leak because of three reasons.

  • The usual culprit is a worn-out diverter, which won’t be able to block the flow of the water and send water to your showerhead.
  • In some cases, the threads inside the spout have already corroded or cracked in the spot where the spout is screwed onto a pipe. As a result, water ends up trickling down the pipe and drips within the wall.
  • Another reason is flaking and corrosion of the spout finish. In this case, you might want to get a replacement for the defective component.

Notice these problems? That’s your cue to replace your tub spout. Don’t ignore the issue. They may cause staining over and costly water bills as the result of water being wasted.

The good news is that replacing an old or damaged tub spout is rather easy. In fact, it’s among the most frequently done DIY projects around.

Tub spouts come in many different styles and finishes, so you should be able to find exactly what you need.

Danco has stylish diverter tub spouts in Polished Brass, Brushed Nickel, and Chrome.

We also offer a decorative pull-up diverter in Chrome, Oil Rubbed Bronze and Brushed Nickel. Pull-up diverters are popular, but whatever you choose from our range, it’s sure to bring more style to your bathroom.

If you don’t need a diverter, check out Danco’s universal tub spout without a diverter in Brushed Nickel or Chrome.

Fix the pop-up drain assembly

If your sink not draining as efficiently as it used to? Can’t fill the basin up with water? it may be time to check the pop-up assembly for damage.

The pop-up stopper is very easy to install, but replacing it is a bit more complicated because of variations in the fittings and fixtures. But don’t worry—you don’t need to call a plumber.

All you really need is Danco’s drain assembly, which comes with all the essential parts for the job.

The EZ Connect tube will slide and wrap over the lift. The lever rods should be installed easily and quickly. EZ Connect products by Danco are versatile and can be used for replacements or repairs.

Once you have the right parts, it’s time to get to work.

First, prepare the bottom assembly by applying putty on the rubber washer found on the bottom assembly. This should provide a good seal.

Proceed to push the assembly upward through the bottom of the sink until the rubber gasket is thoroughly sealed. Screw the top of the flange to the bottom drain assembly, which should now stick up. Connect it without tightening it yet. Grab your pliers to tighten the lock nut on the bottom assembly, and clean up excess putty from the ring with a paper towel or a rag.

To install the stopper, place it into the drain from the top while making sure that the hole is facing the back of the sink. Then, with the nut and ball on the inside, thread it into the drain pipe. Push the rod to check that the drain can move up and down. Tighten the nut if it’s working as it should. Otherwise, you would have to keep moving the stopper until it catches onto the rod.

Position the lever by feeding it into the sink’s hole. Connect the vertical lever with the horizontal rod. The height of the pop-up is adjustable when you shift the extension pin up or down to another slot.

These are just some of the quick and easy DIY projects you can do this summer. With Danco’s products, you should be able to finish your DIY projects in no time, so you can enjoy the rest of the season doing other activities you love.