Eljer toilet installation overview
Eljer install procedures follow standard US 12-inch rough-in conventions, but with three Eljer-specific considerations:
- Eljer 3-inch fill valve shank — if you ever need to replace the fill valve, you'll need the Eljer-specific shank pattern.
- Wider tank-to-bowl gasket — Eljer ships with the correct wider gasket in the box; don't substitute a standard 3-inch.
- Heavier ceramic — Eljer porcelain is denser than residential standard, making the bowl portion 5-10 lbs heavier than equivalent AmStd/Kohler.
Tools required
- Adjustable wrench (8" or 10")
- Channel-lock pliers
- Screwdriver (Phillips + flathead)
- Level (4-foot or 2-foot)
- Bucket and sponge
- Hacksaw (for corroded tank-bowl bolts on replacements)
- Caulk gun + clear silicone (optional for base sealing)
Materials required
- Wax ring (Korky 6000 or Fluidmaster 7530, $5-$10) — Eljer ships without wax ring
- Floor flange bolts (typically reusable if not corroded)
- 12" braided stainless supply line ($5-$10) — replace as preventive maintenance
- Eljer-compatible seat: Bemis 1500EC elongated ($35) or Bemis 1500RD round-front ($30), or Eljer 091-7595 factory match ($55)
- Setting compound ($6) — for out-of-level floors (Berkeley one-piece especially)
Install time by Eljer model type
| Model type | Install time | Crew | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patriot, Diplomat, Hamilton, Savoy (standard two-piece) | 60-75 min | 1-2 people | Easy |
| Aqua-Saver II (dual-flush two-piece) | 75-90 min | 1-2 people | Easy-moderate |
| Berkeley (one-piece) | 90-120 min | 2 people required | Moderate |
| Triangle (corner-fit) | 90-120 min | 2 people | Moderate-hard (corner alignment) |
| Titan Pro (commercial flushometer) | 2-4 hours | Plumber recommended | Commercial — requires flushometer infrastructure |
Standard Eljer two-piece install (Patriot, Diplomat, Hamilton, Savoy)
- Shut off water at the under-toilet valve.
- Flush old toilet to empty tank.
- Disconnect supply line from bottom of tank.
- Remove tank-bowl bolts (Phillips screwdriver from inside tank, wrench from below bowl).
- Lift old tank up off bowl. Set aside.
- Remove flange bolt caps and nuts at base of old bowl.
- Lift bowl off the floor flange. Scrape old wax ring with putty knife.
- Inspect floor flange. Replace if cracked.
- Install new wax ring on floor flange (horn-side down, flat side up).
- Set new Eljer bowl on flange. Press straight down. Use level to verify plumb.
- Install flange bolts through bowl base. Hand-tighten only.
- Install Eljer wider tank-to-bowl gasket on the flush valve outlet (bottom of tank). Use the gasket that came in the box (Eljer-spec wider pattern).
- Set tank on bowl, aligning gasket with bowl mounting opening.
- Insert tank-bowl bolts. Cross-tighten alternately, 1/4 turn each, until snug.
- Connect supply line to bottom of tank. Hand-tighten + 1/4 turn.
- Turn shutoff valve on. Tank fills.
- Test flush 3-5 times. Check for leaks.
- Install seat (sold separately).
Berkeley one-piece install (additional considerations)
- Two-person lift required — Berkeley is ~100 lbs single unit. NEVER twist during placement.
- Floor MUST be flat. Apply setting compound around perimeter if not.
- Skirted-trapway floor flange — must be at or below floor level. Grind flange if above, OR use recessed flange.
- Wax ring with horn recommended for one-piece bowl outlet.
- Concealed mounting hardware (provided in Berkeley box).
Triangle (corner) install
The Triangle requires that your bathroom corner has a properly-positioned floor flange. If the existing toilet was also corner-style, the flange position is correct. If the existing was standard, the flange must be relocated (plumber job — typically requires opening the floor).
- Verify floor flange is positioned for corner installation: 12-inch from corner along each wall.
- Verify corner walls are 90° (out-of-square corners create visible gaps).
- Install wax ring on flange.
- Set triangular Eljer bowl. Verify bowl is plumb to both corner walls (level perpendicular to each wall).
- Install Eljer corner tank-to-bowl gasket. Set triangular tank.
- Cross-tighten tank bolts. Eljer corner-pattern bolts are oriented differently than standard rectangular — follow Triangle install manual diagrams.
- Apply caulk between tank/bowl and corner walls IF visible gaps exist.
Aqua-Saver II dual-flush install
Same as standard Eljer two-piece, with two additional steps:
- Verify tank-top clearance for the top-mount dual-flush button (no shelf or window obstruction).
- Cartridge orientation matters — follow alignment marks in the install manual to seat the cartridge correctly.
- Keep WaterSense Most Efficient certificate for utility rebate paperwork (separate from install).
Titan Pro commercial flushometer install
The Titan Pro requires commercial bathroom plumbing infrastructure (1" supply line stubbing through the wall, flushometer valve mounting, etc.). Residential installers should NOT attempt — call a commercial plumber. Detailed Titan Pro install requirements appear on the Titan Pro product page.
Common Eljer install mistakes
- Substituting standard universal tank-to-bowl gasket — wider Eljer gasket is in the box; use it.
- Tank-bowl bolts overtightened — Eljer ceramic is heavier but still cracks. Snug + 1/4 turn limit.
- Floor flange bolts overtightened — same risk.
- Berkeley installed on out-of-level floor — cracks at the unsupported edge over months/years.
- Triangle installed without verifying floor flange corner position — Triangle won't seat without proper corner-positioned flange.
- Aqua-Saver II tank-top clearance ignored — top-mount button needs vertical space above the tank.
- Old Eljer supply line reused — replace at install ($5-$10).