QA

Question: Can You Replace Toilet Bolts Without Removing Toilet

You can’t replace a closet bolt without removing the bowl. Pull the bowl, and next time pick up brass bolts.

Can I reuse toilet bolts?

Remove the old hold-down bolts – don’t reuse them. You may want to clean and paint the wall behind the toilet. Also, inspect the toilet flange for sound condition. It should stick up about 1/2″ from the finished bathroom floor.

Does a toilet need to be bolted down?

5 Answers. The bottom of the flange needs to be sitting flush with (or not more than 1/8″ above) the finished floor or else the toilet will rock. The flange should be fastened to the floor. Dry fit the toilet to make sure it doesn’t rock.

How much does it cost to tighten toilet bolts?

Because porcelain toilets are relatively brittle, it’s important to tighten toilet tank bolts carefully. The best way to do so is to hand-tighten the nuts on the tank bolts, then use a wrench to make a quarter-turn on each nut.

Why do toilet anchor bolts rust?

Moisture around the base of the toilet can corrode the anchor bolts. 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.

Are all toilet bolts the same size?

There are three possible measurement distances you can get from the wall to the toilet bolt: 10 inches, 12 inches, or 14 inches. The most common is 12 inches. In plumbing terminology, this is called a 12-inch rough. Sometimes these measurements are not exact.

How do you tighten a loose toilet bolt?

If a bolt is loose, simply use a socket wrench to tighten the nut until you feel some resistance. (Beware of overtightening — you don’t want to crack the porcelain of the toilet itself.) A broken bolt, on the other hand, will have to be replaced, together with the wax seal between your toilet and the floor.

What holds toilet to floor?

The toilet flange, also known as a closet flange, is the part of the toilet that secures the unit to the floor and connects to the drain pipe. Usually made of PVC, rubber or metal, this piece is circular in shape and usually secured in place with a few bolts.

Can you glue a toilet to the floor?

Remove the toilet and turn it on its side. Measure the depth and width of the gluing edge of the bowl. Next, move your caulk gun to the inset depth you just measured and apply caulk directly to the floor, maintaining the inset depth as you follow the tape. Install the wax ring and lower the toilet onto the flange.

How far from the wall should the toilet drain be?

Wall-mounted Toilets The rough-in distance in the newer homes from the wall to the center of the toilet drain is 12-inch, while, older homes have a distance of anything between 10- or 14 inches. A wall-mounted toilet also needs a 10 inch thick wall to accommodate the flushing system.

How much does a plumber charge to replace a toilet?

A plumber charges around $375 to replace a toilet. Most charge between $275 and $480. This includes the cost of removing and disposing of your old toilet. Note that the actual cost to replace a toilet depends on your location, the type of toilet and the difficulty of the installation.

Is it safe to leave a toilet off overnight?

Yes, absolutely, fumes can be harmful when replacing a toilet, but they can be kept at a minimum and shouldn’t pose a health risk if you work reasonably quickly and keep the drainpipe covered between removal and installation.

How long does it take a plumber to install a toilet?

Replacing a toilet is a simple and straightforward job, so you should be able to remove the old toilet and install the new one in about two to three hours. However, if you don’t have a lot of DIY experience, you might want to add an hour or two to that timeframe.

Should a toilet sit flat on the floor?

Level the Toilet If it does not sit perfectly flat, it will rock and is more likely to leak over time. To correct this problem, slip toilet shims between the base and the floor to stop the rocking before bolting it down.

What size are the bolts on a toilet?

A set of replacement toilet caps typically includes two different sets of threaded adapters: 1/4 inch and 5/16 inch. The 1/4-inch size is the more standard.

How do I remove old rusted toilet bolts?

Use a deep well socket to reach the nut on the underside of the toilet and attempt to loosen it. Use a Dremel tool with a cutting blade to cut through the bolt and nut. Use an oscillating tool to cut through the bolt and nut. Tape off the area around the bolts and cut the tops off the bolts using a mini hacksaw.

Why are my toilet bolts loose?

The flange bolts that secure the toilet base are themselves held by a metal or plastic ring at the top of the toilet flange. The ring can corrode or break, loosening its grip on the bolts. If your rocking comes back after ​a while, or if the bolts loosen up and won’t retighten, a damaged flange is likely the cause.

Why does my toilet swivel?

Your wobbly toilet may be moving because the mounting bolts that hold it down have nothing to grab onto anymore. You might think your loose toilet bowl is held down to the floor by a couple bolts. While this is true, you should know that the bolts don’t go directly to the floor. Instead, they secure to a toilet flange.

Are tank to bowl bolts universal?

Manufactured in a high quality, chlorine resistant rubber, the Korky tank to bowl gaskets are universal to fit most toilet tanks.

What size wrench Do I need to remove a toilet?

Metal seat bolts: The deep-well socket option If the bolts are metal, you might be able to unscrew the nuts with a pliers, but the best tool for this job is a socket wrench equipped with a deep-well socket (Photo 1). Most toilet seats require a 1/2-in. socket.

Are toilet bolts universal?

One pair bolts with double nuts and washers for toilet upside and bottom. 3. Universal fit for most toilet.

Can a loose toilet cause a leak?

A loose toilet can cause a leak at the sewer line, and worse, flood the bathroom floor. It can lead to rotted wood and mildew and mold problems. If neglected, the leak can destroy the floor, leading to costly repair and replacement. When the bolts become loose, the toilet can rock back and forth.

Can I reuse toilet bolts?

Remove the old hold-down bolts – don’t reuse them. You may want to clean and paint the wall behind the toilet. Also, inspect the toilet flange for sound condition. It should stick up about 1/2″ from the finished bathroom floor.

Does a toilet need to be bolted down?

5 Answers. The bottom of the flange needs to be sitting flush with (or not more than 1/8″ above) the finished floor or else the toilet will rock. The flange should be fastened to the floor. Dry fit the toilet to make sure it doesn’t rock.

How much does it cost to tighten toilet bolts?

Because porcelain toilets are relatively brittle, it’s important to tighten toilet tank bolts carefully. The best way to do so is to hand-tighten the nuts on the tank bolts, then use a wrench to make a quarter-turn on each nut.

Why do toilet anchor bolts rust?

Moisture around the base of the toilet can corrode the anchor bolts. 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.

Are all toilet bolts the same size?

There are three possible measurement distances you can get from the wall to the toilet bolt: 10 inches, 12 inches, or 14 inches. The most common is 12 inches. In plumbing terminology, this is called a 12-inch rough. Sometimes these measurements are not exact.

How do you tighten a loose toilet bolt?

If a bolt is loose, simply use a socket wrench to tighten the nut until you feel some resistance. (Beware of overtightening — you don’t want to crack the porcelain of the toilet itself.) A broken bolt, on the other hand, will have to be replaced, together with the wax seal between your toilet and the floor.

What holds toilet to floor?

The toilet flange, also known as a closet flange, is the part of the toilet that secures the unit to the floor and connects to the drain pipe. Usually made of PVC, rubber or metal, this piece is circular in shape and usually secured in place with a few bolts.

Can you glue a toilet to the floor?

Remove the toilet and turn it on its side. Measure the depth and width of the gluing edge of the bowl. Next, move your caulk gun to the inset depth you just measured and apply caulk directly to the floor, maintaining the inset depth as you follow the tape. Install the wax ring and lower the toilet onto the flange.

How far from the wall should the toilet drain be?

Wall-mounted Toilets The rough-in distance in the newer homes from the wall to the center of the toilet drain is 12-inch, while, older homes have a distance of anything between 10- or 14 inches. A wall-mounted toilet also needs a 10 inch thick wall to accommodate the flushing system.

How much does a plumber charge to replace a toilet?

A plumber charges around $375 to replace a toilet. Most charge between $275 and $480. This includes the cost of removing and disposing of your old toilet. Note that the actual cost to replace a toilet depends on your location, the type of toilet and the difficulty of the installation.

Is it safe to leave a toilet off overnight?

Yes, absolutely, fumes can be harmful when replacing a toilet, but they can be kept at a minimum and shouldn’t pose a health risk if you work reasonably quickly and keep the drainpipe covered between removal and installation.

How long does it take a plumber to install a toilet?

Replacing a toilet is a simple and straightforward job, so you should be able to remove the old toilet and install the new one in about two to three hours. However, if you don’t have a lot of DIY experience, you might want to add an hour or two to that timeframe.

Should a toilet sit flat on the floor?

Level the Toilet If it does not sit perfectly flat, it will rock and is more likely to leak over time. To correct this problem, slip toilet shims between the base and the floor to stop the rocking before bolting it down.

What size are the bolts on a toilet?

A set of replacement toilet caps typically includes two different sets of threaded adapters: 1/4 inch and 5/16 inch. The 1/4-inch size is the more standard.

How do I remove old rusted toilet bolts?

Use a deep well socket to reach the nut on the underside of the toilet and attempt to loosen it. Use a Dremel tool with a cutting blade to cut through the bolt and nut. Use an oscillating tool to cut through the bolt and nut. Tape off the area around the bolts and cut the tops off the bolts using a mini hacksaw.

Why are my toilet bolts loose?

The flange bolts that secure the toilet base are themselves held by a metal or plastic ring at the top of the toilet flange. The ring can corrode or break, loosening its grip on the bolts. If your rocking comes back after ​a while, or if the bolts loosen up and won’t retighten, a damaged flange is likely the cause.

Why does my toilet swivel?

Your wobbly toilet may be moving because the mounting bolts that hold it down have nothing to grab onto anymore. You might think your loose toilet bowl is held down to the floor by a couple bolts. While this is true, you should know that the bolts don’t go directly to the floor. Instead, they secure to a toilet flange.

Are tank to bowl bolts universal?

Manufactured in a high quality, chlorine resistant rubber, the Korky tank to bowl gaskets are universal to fit most toilet tanks.