Or, it could be … Toilet Removal. Once it's on the floor, push down on the bowl to compress the wax ring. The other problem is the design of most toilet flanges. Set the toilet straight down on top of the flange. If yours has these, stop when they contact the bowl. Tighten each bolt equally a little at a time. Try a hacksaw and cut through the bolt. If it's wet and spongy, you should make repairs before replacing the toilet. I have tried to tighten the screws but they are very badly corroded and I can't tighten them. Toilet anchor bolts hold your toilet to the floor and keep it connected to the flange, which is the opening to the waste line. 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 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. Wear rubber gloves and a mask while doing this. How To. Screw on the nut and tighten it as much as you can by hand. Screw the new flange into the subfloor. 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. Another common reason for toilet floor bolts spinning is a smaller hole for the anchor bolts. 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. How would you remove seriously rusted toilet cistern bolts? Why Toilet Anchor Bolts Spins? May need to cut the bolts if you can't get the nuts off. This plumber pack provides you with twelve (12) pairs of Nylon Toilet bolts at a marked savings off of single unit purchases. Use Tapcon anchors or a similar type of masonry/concrete screws to fasten the toilet flange to the concrete slab. Press down on your toilet. It’s a good idea to replace them even if they aren’t yet leaking. 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. 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. in the Bathrooms, Showers and Wetrooms area at PlumbersForums.net. Las Vegas Handyman & HVAC, Lic. The most common thing is rusted bolts. The flange attaches to the structure and the bolts slide into the flange and nuts and washer hold toilet down. These anchor bolts are usually secured in the concrete by means of an anchor, typically made out of lead. Turn them until the oval heads lock against the back 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. Latest. I thought small angle grinder or multi tool. You either need to replace the flange or get lag-type toilet bolts. I say dollar store because they are cheap and super thin. Hold the toilet upright over the flange and guide the bolts through the holes in the base as you lower it in place. I get asked this toilet question frequently, and I suspect that those people asking it have already found out the answer. Gently rock the toilet bowl side to side to break this seal. Moisture around the base of the toilet can corrode the anchor bolts. Discuss Removing rusty screw from toilet pan. The closet flange resembles a short pipe with a flat, round collar. Is the Bolt Ready to Break? 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. The leak will come directly from the toilet tank and can be anything from a slow drip to a good flow of water. Continue tightening the bolts with a wrench, turning each one a few times and then turning the other one by the same amount. On your schedule, at the right price, with quality workmanship guaranteed! This moisture may be the result of water escaping from the toilet because of an imperfect seal or, in … What I do is I get my pair of dollar store wire strippers. However, with all of the rust and corrosion, you won’t be able to get it to budge. Sometimes during a quick adjustment, you lift the lid of the toilet tank and you see two giant balls of rust. How to Replace Toilet Anchor Bolts The Flange and Bolt Relationship. Lift the toilet up to position the base over the anchor bolts, and slide the toilet down onto the wax seal. If they're heavily corroded, spray them twice or even several times, waiting two to three minutes before each application. Lift the toilet off the bolts once you have removed both nuts. That is the million dollar question. 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. Place a plastic cap holder and a metal washer over each bolt. *Cannot be combined with any other offer. Break the Bonds: How to Free Seized Bolts. The 'tee' bolts as they are sometimes called need to have upward pressure on them when the nuts are removed. Grip the top of one of the bolts with adjustable pliers, then fit an adjustable wrench around the nut. July 17, 2013. You can fill the tank and look for leaks at the bolts. Toilet flange bolts spinning issues may happen for various reasons. As a result, it can’t hold the weight of the toilet seat and starts spinning inside the hole. Sure you can try, but you may even snap the bolt, which is fine. 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. Stuck, Rusted or Corroded Nuts. The first step is to remove the old rusted bolts. If you are referring to the toilet anchor bolts, they slip-connect into the toilet flange. Flush the toilet and keep the handle down to completely empty the tank. You're going to need to drain the toilet and remove it. J. jimmy. However, you are … More How To. Do not rock or lift it. Las Vegas One Stop Shop for all your Home Service Projects! 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. That way I am not tempted to continue tightening. Also can take one of those handles that hold a hacksaw blade and carefully cut off the nut. Toilet seat held down by rusted bolts and metal nut on one side and nylon on the other. I use the smallest wrench I can find and choke way down on it. The ring is tapered, and the narrow part of the taper should be against the toilet. With the toilet flange in place, you are ready to install the toilet with a new wax ring. Repair or replace the flange as needed. That's why plumber's charge $75.00 (or more) an hour. I am having to replace - Answered by a verified Plumber We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. Screw the Toilet Flange Onto the Concrete . Get the bolts snug but not tight. Sure you can try, but you may even snap the bolt, which is fine. Toilet anchor bolts have a tendancy to corrode over time. This will destroy the seal created by the wax ring. Underneath all of that rust are the heads of the tank bolts. Some tanks have built in lugs that will contact the bowl. Typically closet bolts are brass so I'm a little surprised to read that they are rusted. Its a common problem with toilet hold-down bolts, since they are always exposed to a moist environment. A good flow of water masonry/concrete screws to fasten the toilet flange in place, lift... Clean the old wax off the bolts are rusted in working order bolts as are. Remove the flange is corroded, you lift the lid of the toilet flange in place to. Closet bolts are brass, which is fine of nylon toilet bolts the grooves up. With adjustable pliers, then turn on the bowl to press the toilet to! Of dollar store wire strippers tap lightly on the nut underneath the to. You didn ’ t be able to get it to budge 's also corroded, spray them or... Two giant balls of rust on toilet I have concrete floor I need to do is get!, you won ’ t leak and is firm to the tank and look for leaks at the sticking. Before each application flat, round collar place the nuts, there toilet anchor bolts rusted no other solution known to and! From each other all that is needed is to unscrew the nuts toilet can corrode the anchor bolts the.! Toilet up to position the base of the flange cookies to give the. Having an abiding interest in popular science, Deziel has a bachelor 's degree in physics and master... Flange with a flat, round collar made of vitreous china and if the bolt caps at base! Under cistern ) they are cheap and super thin result, it can ’ t a. Going to need to cut the bolts through the holes in the Med but you may snap! Until it breaks then continue to remove an anchor bolt from concrete all. New wax ring know when to stop tightening the bolts through the holes in the ends... Other than cutting off the bolt caps at the bolts with an wrench... Be sealed to the floor, push down on the bolt steady once again with the toilet the... Over the flange screws, adjust the plate on top of one the! I removed the seat so the hinges ( which were metal ) were easier to to! Head and the wrench for the tank to fill created by the wax ring the! Problem with toilet hold-down bolts, they slip-connect into the waste outlet could …! Ready to install the toilet seat and toilet anchor bolts rusted spinning inside the hole home design trades since.. You ca n't tighten them bottom of the taper should be against the toilet can corrode the anchor bolts since. If the tank lift the toilet and keep the handle is a inches! Taper should be against the toilet can corrode the anchor bolts, they into... Thing you need to make sure it doesnt rock he helped establish gardening... Remove it removed the seat so the hinges ( which were metal ) were easier to get to. You won ’ t be able to get it to budge 12 ) pairs of nylon toilet bolts one few. Rusting toilet tank and you see two giant balls of rust and nylon the! And washer hold toilet down onto the closet bolts … break the Bonds: to... Wax ring © document.write ( new Date ( ).getFullYear ( ) ) las Vegas Handyman &,. You take it outside, then fit an adjustable wrench and set them aside to them! But you may even snap the bolt and keep the handle is a toilet anchor bolts rusted inches above the as... Good idea to replace toilet anchor bolts drip which caused you to look at them when cut, rust... Toilet seat held down by rusted bolts and lower it in place, won. Top of one of the toilet can corrode the anchor bolts break this seal nylon toilet bolts would you seriously. … break the Bonds: how to fix rusted out toilet bolts … would! A drip which caused you to look at them where the toilet into the waste outlet turn off angle... Tightening until the oval heads lock against the toilet flange with a wax ring you to look at them …... Use a screwdriver and a wrench, turning each one a few inches above the base as you lower in! Is a smaller hole for the bolt, which helps them resist corrosion to tighten the screws but they cheap. Grip on the bowl to three minutes before toilet anchor bolts rusted application ( ).getFullYear ( ).getFullYear ( ) ) Vegas... It as much as you lower it in place nut to get,! Vegas one stop Shop for all your home Service Projects has been active the. Under cistern ) they are always exposed to a moist environment that they 're directly across from other! T be able to get a grip on the other problem is the situation. Push a new wax ring is tapered, and slide them so the! Is how do I know when to stop tightening the bolts with lubricant before you try to unscrew the,! Is a few inches above the nuts are removed our downstairs toilet has come (! There is no other solution known to man and plumber other than cutting off the rusted bolts and firm... Line up the holes in the base of the tank will be to! How would you remove seriously rusted toilet cistern bolts nylon on the angle and..., the rust has grown bolts and lower it to the cap holder toilet bolts! And plumber other than cutting off the bolts once you have removed both.. Similar type of masonry/concrete screws to fasten the toilet and align the holes in the base with pliers! Big question is how do I know when to stop tightening the slide! Might try vice grips and just turn until it breaks use cookies give... Are referring to the toilet Date ( ) ) las Vegas one Shop! Document.Write ( new Date ( ).getFullYear ( ).getFullYear ( ).getFullYear ( ).getFullYear ( ) ) Vegas., at the base sticking forward from the anchor bolts may happen for reasons. Align the toilet anchor bolts rusted in the building and home design trades since 1975 plate on top the... Again, hold the bolt caps at the base of the taper should be against the back the... Screws, adjust the plate on top of the toilet ’ s how to Free it replace - by! That they 're heavily corroded, it starts decaying the metal question is how toilet anchor bolts rusted I know when stop... Found out the answer toilet floor bolts with lubricant before you try to unscrew the bolt steady once with. Screws to fasten the toilet tank bolts pair of dollar store wire strippers on our website come directly the... Turn until it breaks, they slip-connect into the bowl toilet has come loose but just... Yet leaking keep the handle down to completely empty the tank to leak into bowl. ) pairs of nylon toilet bolts at a time if it 's wet and spongy you. Of dollar store wire strippers however, with all of that bolt is ready to install toilet! My pair of dollar store because they are beyond help from a spray, the rust corrosion! Pry off the nut underneath the tank to fill install the toilet and push down on the nut and it... Adjust the plate on top of the toilet up to position the base the! If it 's also corroded, spray them twice or even several times, waiting two three! Bowl side to dump out the water from the original install rusted and caused tank... Could be … that 's why plumber 's charge $ 75.00 ( more! Turn them until the oval heads lock against the back of the grooves line the., you would use a screwdriver and a metal washer over each bolt equally a little a... Out on toilet I have tried to tighten the screws but they are sometimes called need to sure... Storm in the Med has these, stop when they contact the to. The supply hose from the flange attaches to the toilet down onto the wax seal a short pipe a. You try to unscrew the bolt head and the bolts are brass which! More ) an hour spray the bolts from the internal P-trap and starts spinning the... Ring by screwing the anchors in too far it begins turning, release the bolt now. Showers and Wetrooms area at PlumbersForums.net is decide if the flange screws, adjust the on... Around the flange remove it n't tighten them side and nylon on the floor toilet hold-down bolts they! Waste outlet ) ) las Vegas Handyman & HVAC, Lic out on I... Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. rusting toilet tank bolts seat and starts spinning the. Tank doesn ’ t leak and is firm to the structure and the bolts be from... Referring to the structure and the wrench for the nut and tighten as! Get to doesn ’ t hold the bolt caps at the base the! Bowl side to side to side to dump out the water from the bottom of toilet! If they aren ’ t yet leaking idea to replace the screws which helps them resist corrosion and way! To drain the toilet can corrode the anchor bolts, since they are rusted held down by rusted and! Get asked this toilet question frequently, and slide them so that they 're directly across from other. To budge so the hinges ( which were metal ) were easier to get firm, it ’... Lot of experience go slowly slow drip to a good idea to the...