If the toilet has been in place for a number of years, the nuts on the anchor bolts will be frozen and difficult to remove. Status Not open for further replies. Install the Toilet. May need to cut the bolts if you can't get the nuts off. When it comes to cutting toilet Bolts, the first thing that comes to our … As a landscape builder, he helped establish two gardening companies. If you have a leak at a bolt, you either need to tighten the bolts a little more, or you have already cracked the tank. This moisture may be the result of water escaping from the toilet because of an imperfect seal or, in … The first step is to remove the old rusted bolts. Then things start to get firm, it is time to be very aware. However, you are … Gently rock the toilet bowl side to side to break this seal. That is the million dollar question. Flush a few times and check for leaks. This will destroy the seal created by the wax ring. The other problem is the design of most toilet flanges. Replacing the bolts with new ones is a simple operation, but if they're corroded, you should check the condition of the flange. You might try vice grips and just turn until it breaks. That's why plumber's charge $75.00 (or more) an hour. Once it's on the floor, push down on the bowl to compress the wax ring. I am having to replace - Answered by a verified Plumber We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. Sure you can try, but you may even snap the bolt, which is fine. In this situation, there is no other solution known to man and plumber other than cutting off the rusted bolts. Push down on the bowl to press the toilet into the seal. Lift the toilet up to position the base over the anchor bolts, and slide the toilet down onto the wax seal. You're going to need to drain the toilet and remove it. How would you remove seriously rusted toilet cistern bolts? July 17, 2013. However, with all of the rust and corrosion, you won’t be able to get it to budge. Try a hacksaw and cut through the bolt. Chris Deziel has a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in humanities. Sometimes during a quick adjustment, you lift the lid of the toilet tank and you see two giant balls of rust. End of an Era at Catalina Yachts . However, with all of the rust and corrosion, you won’t be able to get it to budge. I tried applying a penetrant, gave it a few hours to let it sit, but when I went to attempt to remove the nut I found that I was just spinning the anchor bolt. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Screw the Toilet Flange Onto the Concrete . Lift your toilet and align the holes in the base with the closet bolts in the flange. This moisture may be the result of water escaping from the toilet because of an imperfect seal or, in basements near sea level, it may come from condensation or poor drainage. To remove an anchor bolt from concrete, all that is needed is to unscrew the bolt from the anchor. The flange attaches to the structure and the bolts slide into the flange and nuts and washer hold toilet down. Continue tightening the bolts with a wrench, turning each one a few times and then turning the other one by the same amount. Bolts rusted completly out on toilet I have concrete floor I need to make sure it doesnt rock. Turn them until the oval heads lock against the back of the flange. I thought small angle grinder or multi tool. Lift the toilet and bring it slightly above the … It was not a modern toilet that I could pop the top of the anchor for the toilet seat and screw it one way while I twisted the bolt the other way. Usually, you would use a screwdriver and a wrench. Usually, you would use a screwdriver and a wrench. Flush the toilet and keep the handle down to completely empty the tank. What you MIGHT find when you pull the toilet, though, is that the toilet flange was a painted steel ring, and it, too is rusted. Occasionally you will run into problems with stubborn anchors that don't want to unscrew; in that case, there are other solutions you can try. If you slide the bolt one direction, it has a squared corner that should slide into the notch in the toilet flange in the floor and hold the bolt in place. Sep 24, 2010 #1 Hello, our downstairs toilet has come loose (Concrete floor). I have tried to tighten the screws but they are very badly corroded and I can't tighten them. Do not rock or lift it. The first step is to remove the old rusted bolts. Slide the bolts along the grooves on either side of the flange toward the opening on the end of each one, then lift them out. We have toilet that was leaking and when I went to remove it, one of the (water closet bolts / toilet anchor bolts / t bolts) was rusted completely through and came apart in my hand. Remove the flange screws, adjust the plate on top of the flange so that the grooves line up, then replace the screws. A typical toilet attaches to the floor with a pair of bolts that stick up from the flange, a special fitting at the top of the waste pipe. Nut is rusted to a spinning anchor bolt Author: CowboyRon (CA) I have a nut that is thoroughly rusted onto the toilet anchor bolt. Dump the old wax on a sheet of newspaper so you can throw it away. Inspect the condition of the flange. If you don’t prevent your hardware from rusting or seizing, here’s how to free it. Discuss Removing rusty screw from toilet pan. By Steve D'Antonio. Screw the supply hose back to the tank, then turn on the angle stop and wait for the tank to fill. This job is easier with two people. I removed the seat so the hinges (which were metal) were easier to get to. In the way that lasts. Another common reason for toilet floor bolts spinning is a smaller hole for the anchor bolts. Is the Bolt Ready to Break? Press down on your toilet. When the bolts are rusted, it starts decaying the metal. I use the smallest wrench I can find and choke way down on it. Wear rubber gloves and a mask while doing this. You will need to clean up the area where the old bolt head was or you may develop another leak if the new washer doesn’t sit right. When you get them darn rusty toilet bolts that begin to come loose but then just spin. Typically closet bolts are brass so I'm a little surprised to read that they are rusted. Repair or replace the flange as needed. How To. Clean the old wax off the bottom of the toilet and push a new wax ring into the waste outlet. Works for me 8 out of 10 times, and it's fast. (under cistern) they are beyond help from a spray, the rust has grown. Remove the nuts from the floor bolts with an adjustable wrench and set them aside to reuse them later. Set your toilet straight down over the closet bolts and lower it to the floor. Break the Bonds: How to Free Seized Bolts. Set the toilet straight down on top of the flange. Screw the new flange into the subfloor. The best toilet bolts are brass, which helps them resist corrosion. The head of that bolt is now under the flange. If it sticks again, hold the bolt steady once again with the pliers. Grip the top of one of the bolts with adjustable pliers, then fit an adjustable wrench around the nut. Toilet anchor bolts have a tendancy to corrode over time. Installed in the American way in 1994. When cut, the ends of the bolts shouldn't extend more than an inch above the nuts. Clear the wax from around the flange with a paint scraper. Get the bolts snug but not tight. The screwdriver is for the bolt head and the wrench for the nut underneath the tank. The leak will come directly from the toilet tank and can be anything from a slow drip to a good flow of water. *Cannot be combined with any other offer. People. That way I am not tempted to continue tightening. Spray the bolts with lubricant before you try to unscrew the nuts. Hold the bolt steady while you turn the nut counterclockwise. If the grooves are rusted and broken, they probably weren't holding the bolts securely, which may be why water seeped out and corroded the bolts. In the fortunate event that you installed your toilet seat with plastic nuts and bolts, removal won't be much of a problem, but it still won't be as easy as it was when installing the seat.To avoid stripping the threads, spray the bolts with a soap solution before unscrewing the nuts. The big question is how do I know when to stop tightening the bolts? If it's wet and spongy, you should make repairs before replacing the toilet. These anchor bolts are usually secured in the concrete by means of an anchor, typically made out of lead. The 'tee' bolts as they are sometimes called need to have upward pressure on them when the nuts are removed. You either need to replace the flange or get lag-type toilet bolts. Sure you can try, but you may even snap the bolt, which is fine. USED TO FASTEN A TOILET BOWL SECURELY TO THE FLOOR: Closet toilet bolts help anchor the toilet securely to the floor; E-Z SNAP-OFF DESIGN: The toilet bolts snap-off from the thinned out section of the bolt to accommodate for the toilet cap to be placed on top; DIMENSIONS: 1/4 inch x 2-1/4 inch toilet bolts and ¼ inch x 2-1/2 inch screws You are done when the tank doesn’t leak and is firm to the touch. Place the super ring replacement toilet ring over the waste line, making sure the mounting bolts are in the same place as the original bolts were, one bolt on each side of the flange. Insert the new bolts in the open ends of the grooves and slide them so that they're directly across from each other. Moisture around the base of the toilet can corrode the anchor bolts. Screw on the nut and tighten it as much as you can by hand. If yours has these, stop when they contact the bowl. Place a plastic cap over each bolt and push down on it to secure it to the cap holder. Place a plastic cap holder and a metal washer over each bolt. Latest. Underneath all of that rust are the heads of the tank bolts. If they're heavily corroded, spray them twice or even several times, waiting two to three minutes before each application. If you are referring to the toilet anchor bolts, they slip-connect into the toilet flange. You may find that when looking underneath the tank (there the bolts are held to the bowl with washers and nuts) that there is a large amount of rust and corrosion here too. Toilet Removal. Besides having an abiding interest in popular science, Deziel has been active in the building and home design trades since 1975. You can fill the tank and look for leaks at the bolts. High quality Pure Color Toilet Bowl Anchor Bolts , Toilet Tank Bolts And Washers Anti Rust from China, China's leading toilet seat nut and bolt product, with strict quality control toilet installation hardware factories, producing high quality toilet installation hardware products. You can usually get under the nut to get a grip on the bolt and then continue to remove the nut. Take a socket wrench with an extension so that the handle is a few inches above the base sticking forward from the toilet. Las Vegas Handyman & HVAC, Lic. Jag Plumbing Products Jag for Plumbers Long 3-1/2 Inch Nylon Toilet Bolts with Nuts (12-Pack) Get stocked up for any plumbing project with JAG PLUMBING PRODUCTS Plumber Packs. It’s considered as the best thing to do because cutting it off is the only way that lets you remove the nuts as well since you are unable to do it the easy way. Continue tightening until the toilet is secure, but don't overtighten or you may crack the porcelain. As a result, it can’t hold the weight of the toilet seat and starts spinning inside the hole. Las Vegas One Stop Shop for all your Home Service Projects! ... 2 Pack Toilet Tank to Bowl Bolt Kits, Heavy Duty Bolts Toilet Bolts for Tank Solid Brass with Extra Long Nuts Easy to install and Double Gaskets for Fastening 4.7 out of 5 stars 256. This was an original to the building. What I do is I get my pair of dollar store wire strippers. Or, it could be … There's a good chance the toilet flange is corroded as well or it's attachment is compromised. This plumber pack provides you with twelve (12) pairs of Nylon Toilet bolts at a marked savings off of single unit purchases. Hold the toilet upright over the flange and guide the bolts through the holes in the base as you lower it in place. Toilet anchor bolts hold your toilet to the floor and keep it connected to the flange, which is the opening to the waste line. More How To. Once the toilet is resting on the flange, press down firmly near the back of the bowl rim to deform the wax ring and seal the connection. Toilets are made of vitreous china and if the tank bolts are over tightened, the china will crack and can cause a leak. Place the nuts onto the closet bolts … The bolts from the original install rusted and caused the tank to leak into the bowl. It’s a good idea to replace them even if they aren’t yet leaking. Why Toilet Anchor Bolts Spins? The screwdriver is for the bolt head and the wrench for the nut underneath the tank. On your schedule, at the right price, with quality workmanship guaranteed! This is the abnormal situation where the toilet’s bolts are rusted. Moisture around the base of the toilet can corrode the anchor bolts. The hinges were designed to fit into the toilet seat holes, so no chance of cutting them off easily (no room between hinges and toilet … Line up the holes in the toilet base with the 2 bolts that protrude from the flange. J. jimmy. Either you didn’t realize it, or you noticed a drip which caused you to look at them. Stuck, Rusted or Corroded Nuts. The closet flange resembles a short pipe with a flat, round collar. The flange is very old, but otherwise in working order. Pry off the bolt caps at the base of the toilet using a screwdriver. I think the right answer is probably “experience”, but if you don’t have a lot of experience go slowly. With the toilet flange in place, you are ready to install the toilet with a new wax ring. Use Tapcon anchors or a similar type of masonry/concrete screws to fasten the toilet flange to the concrete slab. If the flange is corroded, you can fix it with a repair plate. Cut off the end of each bolt with a reciprocating saw. I get asked this toilet question frequently, and I suspect that those people asking it have already found out the answer. Toilet seat held down by rusted bolts and metal nut on one side and nylon on the other. The first thing you need to do is decide if the bolt is ready to break. Once it begins turning, release the bolt and keep unscrewing the nut. Lift the toilet off the bolts once you have removed both nuts. in the Bathrooms, Showers and Wetrooms area at PlumbersForums.net. Put the toilet mounting bolts in the flange pointing up, and use some wax from the old wax ring to hold them in place. Tap lightly on the stub and push the bolt head out. The bottom of the toilet bowl will be sealed to the toilet flange with a wax ring. Toilet flange bolts spinning issues may happen for various reasons. Some tanks have built in lugs that will contact the bowl. The ring is tapered, and the narrow part of the taper should be against the toilet. If using a plastic flange ring, be careful not to crack the ring by screwing the anchors in too far. They know how to fix rusted out toilet bolts. #'s 50937, 55184, 58126, 77867, 80965, 4710 W. Dewey Dr. #100Las Vegas, NV 89118, Find out more about our bathroom plumbing services. Hold it upright while you take it outside, then turn it on its side to dump out the water from the internal P-trap. The most common thing is rusted bolts. Turn off the angle stop behind the toilet and unscrew the supply hose from the bottom of the tank. Once … When I say “choke down” I mean to place my hand right next to the jaws of the wrench to eliminate any leverage with the wrench. How to Replace a Toilet on Cast Iron Pipe, How Repair a Kohler Kelston Toilet That Runs, Fine Homebuilding: How to Install aToilet, The Family Handyman: How to Repair a Leaking Toilet, How to Replace a Stainless Steel Closet Ring in a Toilet, How to Fix a Toilet if a Pacifier Was Flushed, How to Replace the Toilet Bowl After a Tile Job. Remove the old rag from the drainpipe. How to Replace Toilet Anchor Bolts The Flange and Bolt Relationship. Also can take one of those handles that hold a hacksaw blade and carefully cut off the nut. Safety at Sea: Surviving a Powerful Storm in the Med. They do make a SS repair one - it comes in two pieces that fit into the slot of the old one you have to carefully cut off. © document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Check the subfloor if your toilet was leaking. This will allow you to pull the tank off of the bowl but you will be left with the stubs of the bolts sticking out. Tighten each bolt equally a little at a time. If it's also corroded, it won't be able to hold the new bolts. Its a common problem with toilet hold-down bolts, since they are always exposed to a moist environment. One option that I don't think has been mentioned is that if you can just use a socket wrench to snap the nuts/bolts off. I say dollar store because they are cheap and super thin. Rusting toilet tank bolts can be surprising. 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