Bathroom installs are mostly fixture replacements and ventilation upgrades. The common thread is that water is nearby for all of them.
01Toilet replacement
Shut off the supply valve, flush to empty the tank, disconnect the supply line, remove the two floor bolts, and lift the toilet straight up. Scrape the old wax from the flange, inspect the flange for cracks or damage, and replace if needed. Set the new wax ring on the flange horn or on the toilet horn (either works), lower the toilet over the bolts, and press down to seat the wax ring. Install washers and nuts, connect the supply line, and restore water.
02Exhaust fan replacement
Turn off the circuit breaker. Remove the grille and the fan assembly. Disconnect the wiring and the duct connection. The new fan mounts in the same housing if you're swapping like-for-like, or the housing is replaced if you're upgrading. Connect the ductwork, wire the new fan (same wires, same connections), restore power, and test. A fan that's been disconnected from the exterior vent cap will have been venting into the attic — confirm the duct terminates outside before finishing.
03Towel bar and toilet paper holder installation
Use a stud finder to locate studs. For towel bars that will see real load — damp towels, someone grabbing the bar for balance — mount into studs or use toggle anchors rated for the load. Mark the mounting hole locations, drill pilot holes, and fasten the mounting brackets before snapping or screwing on the bar.
04Showerhead replacement
The existing showerhead unscrews counterclockwise. Clean old thread tape off the shower arm threads and apply two or three wraps of fresh thread tape clockwise. Thread the new showerhead on by hand, then snug with a wrench — use an adjustable wrench and a second wrench to hold the shower arm so it doesn't rotate and crack the solder joint inside the wall.
Marcus Webb is a general contractor and home maintenance writer based in Columbus, Ohio. He writes about the repairs and installs that come up every year in every house — the practical, repeating work that keeps a home livable.