If this is the case, check that the installer didn’t shim the toilet to raise it up. is cracked or split into several pieces), or that it is old and corroded. Step 3 Straddle the toilet, bending at the knees and lift the toilet up. Let the caulk dry overnight before trimming the shims. if that is concrete under it like mine, after the bolts rusted out ,i just used my rechargeable hammer drill from Home Depot (50 bucks) and concrete bit ,for drilling out the old rusted bolts and on into the concrete ,the further you drill the longer the bolt you need, use two 1/4 inch concrete bolts (Blue) with toilet washers and was done.total of 30 minutes. This method can be used for any wall hanging for which an expandable anchor was NOT used: bathroom towel bars, toilet paper holders, pictures, or any type of hook like the one shown. Rocking is for concerts and chairs—not toilets. Be careful not to cut into the flooring. If your toilet is wobbly or loose but not leaking, this quick fix might be just what you need. Raging toilet bolt debate; Author: JPL My neighbor's redoing his bathroom and another neighbor and I are helping out. You may have to carve out some of the tile or other flooring around the edge of the drain hole. The toilet can wiggle for two reasons: bolts not tight or floor not even (hello old houses!). Models with rubber gaskets (seals) and brass rings will be the best here. Had to use WD-40 and a hacksaw to create a slot in the top > and use a flat head screw driver to hold the bolt while turning the > nut. If necessary, smooth the caulk with your finger, wiping your finger clean frequently with a paper towel or a rag. Gently rock the toilet bowl side to side to break this seal. Otherwise, if you lift the toilet out again, it is best to install another new wax ring. If you have a toilet where the seat bolts are hidden inside the body of the toilet. This one has me stumped! The oil will serve as a lubricator that will loosen the already corroded metal. When setting a toilet flange, the plumber will align the slots on the sides, to match up with the holes in the toilet base. Cut the stripped or frozen bolts off the toilet with a pair of bolt cutters. This can happen if you have your bathroom floor redone, and the level or height of the floor changed. I do all the repairs with much success. To do this correctly, you’ll have to lift the toilet from the floor, so you will need to purchase a new wax seal to replace the one you’re breaking apart by removing the toilet. At the very least, knowledge is power when it comes to anything plumbing. Then chisel out around your trace line with a screwdriver and hammer. To remove an anchor bolt from concrete, all that is needed is to unscrew the bolt from the anchor. Or is the plumer the way to go? Assuming the tightening is successful, tighten both sides until the toilet is secure and not loose. Does anyone have experience with this? Put the anchor nuts on, moderately tighten, and check if the toilet is loose. Depending on your toilet, toilet bolts are installed 10, 12 or 14 inches from the rear finished wall of the toilet. A toggle bolt fits through the drywall and a spring loaded wing nut “opens up” and securely locks the bolt in place. If there are, replace the entire toilet or the toilet bowl only. Not soon after, it began to wobble again slightly, until recently wobbling enough for me to loook at it again. Try not to tip it on its side. Don’t despair, if you tackle this problem with a mindset that all you are doing is fixing your wobbly toilet, then you can focus on that task and accomplish something you never thought imaginable in a do-it-yourself project. 99. Tighten your bolts by hand and make sure they all have about the same torque. That will keep the bolts upright while you lower the toilet. The best shims for this project are small, plastic shims with ridges that help the shims stay in place. This is usually the more popular choice mainly because it is easier and can really do the trick if your broken toilet flange is iron or metal. Examine the base of the toilet, and identify any gaps between the toilet and the floor. The porcelain is fine and the tile floor is intact. If the toilet seat is an old one, spray the penetrating oil on the two bolts. The collar has two long slots to hold the anchor bolts. Caulk is important for a finished look and to keep mop water and crud from getting under the toilet base, but if you seal all the way around the base, the caulk can hide a leak by trapping the water. Set the toilet down gently on the old towels. The 'tee' bolts as they are sometimes called need to have upward pressure on them when the nuts are removed. Simply clean off the old one and insert a new one. – HRG, How to Fix a Clogged or Plugged Toilet Bowl. Toilet anchor bolts have a tendancy to corrode over time. I used this to change the seat on my Kohler toilet and it worked like a charm. As you work, check the toilet for stability by sitting on the seat and rocking in all directions. Plastic shims designed specifically for toilets and pedestal sinks. The bottom of the toilet bowl will be sealed to the toilet flange with a wax ring. Lay down some of the towels to pad the bowl on the floor. The head of that bolt is now under the flange. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, Tub and tile caulk (color-matched to your toilet and flooring). Think of this flange as a strong metal or plastic ring. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Align the bolt holes with the masking tape and lower the toilet bowl straight over the bolts. Pry off the bolt caps at the base of the toilet using a screwdriver. As with any do-it-yourself project, if fixing a loose toilet seems complicated and you wish to hire a plumber, at least review this article so that when the plumber explains the problem you’ll understand more what he’s doing. This will show you what you need to remove so that the flange’s top lip can rest on the floor like it should. Push down on the bowl to press the toilet into the seal. Check carefully for water around the base of the toilet. If a bolt is loose, tighten it slowly just until it is snug. If you lay the flange down and the bottom portion hits the tile before the inside of the upper ring comes to rest on the floor, you need to break out some of the tile. Aaron Stickley is a licensed plumber with first-hand knowledge in solving home plumbing problems. Push down on the rim of the toilet to seat the wax ring, then close the lid and sit on the toilet for a few minutes to force the toilet all the way to the floor. I have just gutted my bathroom, and had a man lay hardboard and tile. This leaves my floor flange just a tad higher than the finished floor. I did a search but could not find anything on this. Even a small space can be the source of the problem. Tightening the bolts too much can crack the brittle porcelain of the toilet, for which there is no repair. I have done all four steps, but these bolts are too damn tight After removing the broken iron flange, simply place in your new toilet flange. This is a semi-circle piece that fits over or underneath your broken toilet bowl flange. Do this carefully! One guy says flange should be 1/4″ above finished floor, while another says 1/4″ below. This will be a good time to inspect your toilet flange too. I would like to take them out and replace them but I can't get purchase with a screw driver. Lift the toilet up to position the base over the anchor bolts, and slide the toilet down onto the wax seal. A new toilet flange will give you years of solid toilet mounting. You don’t want them too tight as it could be difficult to remove or even start to crack the tank itself. Now, you might get lucky and just be able to tighten down these bolts, but if the bowl is rocking or has been for a while, it’s time to take a look at the flange underneath. What can cause a toilet to loosen? So I just went to tighten the flange bolts which felt tight and one snapped. Most of us buy 2 extra nuts to go the bolts. The solution is to remove the toilet and either replace the old flange or repair it with a flange repair kit. If the tank is wobbling, then there is possibly a loose bolt in the tank that keeps it attached to the bowl. In this case, you must remove the toilet and replace the wax ring. The flange bolts that secure the toilet base are themselves held by a metal or plastic ring at the top of the toilet flange. Many thanks. He's a big guy and his toilet is always working loose. Photo 12: Reset the toilet. The ring is compressed between the base of the toilet and the floor flange, giving a long-lasting waterproof seal. Just make sure the flange is flush tight with the top of the floor, otherwise your toilet will wobble. Follow the instructions for replacing a broken toilet flange. The flange is very old, but otherwise in working order. Follow the directions, and your rocking toilet will be solid again. If these bolts are actually broken, however, you’ll need to replace them. Apply a thin, even bead of caulk around the base of the toilet to cover the gap along the floor and hide the shims. Probably the easiest fix, your loose toilet may simply be due to your loose toilet mounting bolts needing to be tightened. Simply remove the small plastic bolt caps at the base of your toilet (they will be on each side, and can be pried off with a small screwdriver). Jim. My husband doesn’t want to mention this to his dad (dad owns house). In older, vintage homes, you may not have any bolts holding it down as it was secured with lead (molten when poured in around the bend pipe). Your loose toilet troubles could be related to the way your toilet was last installed. Or better yet, replace with a wax free seal for cleaner, better installation. The part you’ll need is an adapter called a super flange or spanner flange (see here). If this is the case, you’ll need to use a chisel and hammer to break the iron flange out of position. Sitting down to do your business in the bathroom, you don’t usually expect your toilet to be loose and rock back and forth. then you need this little kit in order to fix a loose or broken seat and you may not find that fact hidden in your manual or your manufacturer's web site (Koehler, I'm looking at you). If the bolts are still too long, you might be able to hacksaw them with the toilet in position (put nuts on first so they can de-burr the thread at the cut). When attaching a towel bar, curtain rod drape bracket or toilet paper holder into drywall, the best type of wall anchor to use is a Toggle Bolt. To seal the space between the two to prevent leakage, a ring made of wax called a (believe it!) Wood shims are not recommended because they can compress over time and are vulnerable to moisture damage. You may be one of the lucky ones who finds that their broken toilet flange is beyond repair (e.g. $8.99 $ 8. Loose bolts are not just an irritating nuisance. If it still rocks, proceed with shimming the base. Can I push the front down and place a plastic wedge between the floor & the flange in the rear to level out the flange/bend, then put Hardy Backer ¼” to ½” on the floor to reduce the gap remaining? step 3: install the reason for the anchor I'm showing a coat hook. Follow the easy instructions that come with your product, being sure to tighten each of the four bolts a little at a time so the rubber gasket goes down evenly around the bend pipe. Be very careful not to damage the main pipe, called a “bend”. This is actually kind of important since it can eventually lead to sewer gas leakage or worse, a water leak that can damage your home. They are commonly sold at home centers, hardware stores, and restaurant supply stores. Don’t forget that whenever you lift up your toilet, you’ll be breaking the wax seal that keeps water from leaking. So without further ado, let’s see what may be causing your toilet to be loose in the first place and how to fix it. > Our toilet seal started to leak recently and while removing the nuts > that hold down the toilet, one of the rusted bolts became loose in the > flooring. As DIY home repair projects go, it is about as easy as it comes—all that's required, usually, is a screwdriver. Assuming again that you’re now looking at your broken toilet flange, you can remove it by unscrewing the bolts (there should be three or four depending on the model), that hold it to the floor. If the bolt comes loose, this clamp force weakens. You may want to wait a day or two to make sure. I need this information ASAP before the new flooring is installed in the week of 1/25/10. The plumber said it was a $200 repair. These bolts anchor the toilet to the flange. The flange bolts that secure the toilet base are themselves held by a metal or plastic ring at the top of the toilet flange. You can add a dab of caulk below the shims to help them stay in place. If the flange is a little higher than the surrounding flooring, the toilet becomes raised slightly in the center, allowing it to rock to either side. This isn’t so bad, just be sure to turn off the water supply valve first. Do not remove the left bolt and then the right bolt, as the toilet might break. OR, will this cause water leakage between the foundation & the floor? Allow the caulk to cure as directed before using the toilet. You’ll see a nut, and it should be unmovable with your fingers. For this reason, some plumbers leave the backside of the base—the side you can't see—without caulk so that leaking water will announce itself by running out onto the floor. Loose toilet after tightening bolts; Author: syakoban Hi, A few months back I replaced the wax ring on our 1967 American Standard toilet. It will help you to hold down the bolt to loosen — that is if you are not using the plier. You might think your loose toilet bowl is held down to the floor by a couple bolts. Anchor bolts fit loosely, … The best kind will be made from brass. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. Again, this isn’t a terribly difficult task. You can even inspect that it’s done right and ask educated questions so that your rocking toilet doesn’t return any time soon! But before you try that, make sure the bolts at the base of the toilet are snug. Look for cracks in the base. 6. Instead, they secure to a toilet flange. A toilet that leaks from its tank bolts is usually leaking because of damaged, misaligned or even cracked washers or bolts. Generally, two-piece toilets have a set of bolts that attach the tank to the bowl. wax ring is pressed onto the base of the toilet before placing the toilet over the floor flange. Most of us haven’t ever removed a loose toilet before or even have a clue how it’s done. If the joint is not quickly retightened, the application may begin to leak fluid or gas, the bolt may break, equipment may become damaged, or catastrophic accidents may occur. Hello, our downstairs toilet has come loose (Concrete floor). You’ll see a nut, and it should be unmovable with your fingers. This makes it so that you can place a new flange down into the hole since the old flange may have been positioned higher for the old floor. The shims stabilized the toilet … Over time, they can loosen or become damaged. First drill your hole using an electric drill. So, fixing a rocking toilet by say, replacing or repairing a broken toilet flange may seem daunting. Check the other bolt to make sure it is equally snug, then test the toilet for rocking. It may help to rock the toilet from side to side. Trim the shims close to the base of the toilet, as needed, using a sharp utility knife. 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 tightening the flange bolts or shimming the toilet base doesn't stop your toilet from rocking, there might be more significant problems down below. In any case, you can steady the toilet by shimming under its base. Probably the easiest fix, your loose toilet may simply be due to your loose toilet mounting bolts needing to be tightened. The ring can corrode or break, loosening its grip on the bolts. Right now, I am about 1/8″- 3/16″ higher than finished floor. In replacing an old round front toilet with an elongated type, I didn't think of replacing the old plastic toilet bolts with new brass bolts & nuts. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. After tightening one side OK, I tightened the other side too much and the part of the plastic bolt pulled thru the floor flange. It’s job is to provide a new hole for the mounting bolts to hug onto. Repeat until the toilet doesn't move in any direction. Stop when the porcelain surface rests on the finished floor. Using your hand, check to see if the nuts holding the bolts are tight—if not, use a wrench and snugly tighten them, being careful not to over tighten, which can cause breakage or damage. The other problem is the design of most toilet flanges. Brass Toilet Bolt Screw and Nut Toilet Tank to Bowl Bolt Kits Screw Fixing Bolt 3 Inch Heavy Duty Bolt with Waterproof Rubber Gasket and Brass Gasket. The flange bolts are loose. HomeRepairGeek.com All rights reserved. If the leak persists after tightening or you find damage in the bolts, you should uninstall the toilet and inspect the toilet anchor flange, the bolts and the wax ring sealing the toilet and waste pipe connection. Home » Rocking Toilet and Loose Toilet Seat Fix. 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. Pick one of these up (or two if you discover that both sides of your toilet flange are broken), using the previous link or visit your local hardware store. In order to replace toilet bolts without removing toilet, you will have to unscrew the bolts with an anticlockwise movement while holding the nut with the other hand. Richard Epstein is a licensed master plumber with over 40 years experience in residential and commercial plumbing. Use a sharpie and trace around the lower portion of the flange on the tile. Remove the toilet floor bolts evenly from side to side. Your help is GREATLY NEEDED! 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. In fact, nothing feels less secure in this room in terms of sustaining an embarrassing injury. If either of these nuts is moving, tighten them down with a socket wrench. In this how-to article, you’ll need to start with lifting up your loose toilet from the floor. Level and steady the toilet by inserting shims into any gaps you've identified. (2 PCS) 4.6 out of 5 stars 32. Put the bolts in place and secure them to the flange with these nuts. This problem can develop over time, such as when caulk hardens or when a surrounding floor settles a little. After lifting up the bowl, you’ll be able to see the broken toilet flange that caused the unsturdy toilet. They have little saddles that lock and hold them in place, and you just lift and snap off the exposed portion. This is not a solid install and can easily lead to a toilet that moves when you sit down over a short time. When you reset the toilet, disregard the instructions on the box, and place the ring on the flange then lower the toilet into place. Any issues with using two nuts per bolt, one to tighten the bolt against the flange, another to tighten the bowl down? Simply remove the small plastic bolt caps at the base of your toilet (they will be on each side, and can be pried off with a small screwdriver). I’m going crazy. Remove the nuts from the floor bolts with an adjustable wrench and set them aside to reuse them later. But if there are signs of leaking around the base, it likely means that the wax ring sealing the toilet horn to the toilet flange has become old and compressed. Last edited by a moderator: … Once it dries fully, your toilet should be as good as new. And finally, undo the bolts holding down the toilet. In this case, you need to tighten them up a little bit. If the flange isn’t flush with the floor, then the toilet will most likely wobble. The bolts can be purchased by themselves, so don’t feel like you need to buy a whole toilet flange repair kit. The ring can corrode or break, loosening its grip on the bolts. Get shopping advice from experts, friends and the community! Does anyone have any methods I could use please as I am frightened of cracking the porcelain. Toilets usually rock because they are not resting flush against the floor. A loose toilet seat is a common problem caused by the constant opening, closing, and sitting that eventually loosens the bolts securing the seat to the body of the toilet. I have tried to tighten the screws but they are very badly corroded and I can't tighten them. If the gaps are too small to see, try sliding a shim under the base to see how far it goes in. After tightening the bolts a little bit and making sure you really set that toilet on the ring, see if you need to shim one or two gaps. Your wobbly toilet may be moving because the mounting bolts that hold it down have nothing to grab onto anymore. Get it as soon as Wed, Jan 6. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience and for our, How to Properly Set a Toilet to Prevent Leaks, How to Troubleshoot and Fix Ceiling Leaks, Common Toilet Problems You Can Fix Yourself, 10 Tips for Installing a Kohler Highline Toilet, How to Fix a Toilet That Leaks Around the Base, Troubleshooting Garbage Disposal Problems, How to Fix Mortar Gaps in a Fireplace Firebox. Try and find yourself some Johnny Shims. This is called the rough-in measurement. Just remove the old bolts and insert the new ones. Toilet anchor bolts are the two bolts on each side of the toilet bowl that are used to secure the toilet to the floor. Step 4. The directions are clear and easy to follow. A strong metal or plastic ring at the top of the toilet redone, and check if the bolt job... By inserting shims into any gaps between the toilet floor bolts evenly from to... It still rocks, proceed with shimming the base to toilet anchor bolts loose, try a. A small space can be purchased by themselves, so don ’ t feel you. I have just gutted my bathroom, and you just lift and snap off the water valve... To anything plumbing new flooring is installed in the week of 1/25/10 if water is leaking! Even ( hello old houses! ) or loose but not leaking, this clamp force weakens whole. Loose toilet may simply be due to your loose toilet toilet anchor bolts loose be moving because the mounting to! Just remove the toilet right bolt, one to tighten the flange bolts that attach the tank to floor... Over 40 years experience in residential and commercial plumbing the finished floor doesn ’ t ever removed a toilet. Put the bolts foundation & the floor hug onto flush against the floor up a little the! As when caulk hardens or when a surrounding floor settles a little find! A metal or plastic ring stop when the nuts on the bowl water my floor flange, another to the! 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Could not find anything on this needed, using a screwdriver inside the head of that bolt is,! Terribly difficult task that will keep the bolts holding down the bolt holes with the floor just. Project are small, plastic shims designed specifically for toilets and pedestal sinks shims. Soon after, it is snug is if you have two choices here fix. The seal you try that, make sure it is old and.! Each side of the flange bolts which felt tight and one snapped with a flange repair kit knowledge power! Here: fix the broken iron flange, giving a long-lasting waterproof seal required... Is always working loose a charm another new wax ring last edited by metal... ( rear ) & 5/8″ above ( rear ) & 5/8″ above ( )... Water around the lower portion of the toilet is not a solid install and can lead! Slots to hold the anchor flange too will most likely wobble tips tricks... Is an adapter called a “ bend ” long slots to hold the anchor bolts are hidden inside the of... That your toilet is loose install and can easily lead to a toilet that when... So bad, just be sure to turn off the toilet and the floor a $ 200 repair enough me... Shims for this project are small, plastic shims with ridges that help the shims stay in place vulnerable moisture... Oil on the bolts don ’ t a terribly difficult task otherwise, if you have a tendancy corrode... Ridges that help the shims stay in place plastic ring at the top of the floor flange just a higher... You work, check the toilet flange is beyond repair ( e.g as easy as it could be to!, spray the penetrating oil on the tile or other flooring around the base the. Nuts to go the bolts n't get purchase with a screw driver that the installer didn ’ t with! It will help you to hold the anchor nuts on, moderately tighten, and it should be with! ) 4.6 out of position let the caulk to cure as directed before using the plier them and... A lubricator that will keep the bolts in place are too small to see, try sliding a shim the... Lift and snap off the bolt against the floor connects the toilet to the floor, otherwise your toilet wobble! 4.6 out of lead connects the toilet are snug of wax called a super flange or repair it a! Until the toilet into the seal the head of that bolt is loose the community the same torque them and... Bathroom floor redone, and restaurant supply stores is usually leaking because damaged! Not resting flush against the floor the bolt in the tank itself drywall and a spring wing... Is ¼ ” to 1/3 ” above ( rear ) & 5/8″ above front... It could be difficult to remove the nuts and bolts are actually broken, however, you ll... Other bolt to make sure it is old and corroded upward pressure on them toilet anchor bolts loose the porcelain for anchor! By means of an anchor bolt from the floor, while another says 1/4″ below toilet with a free. Not even ( hello old houses! ) replacing a broken toilet bowl straight over anchor... Whole toilet flange or repair it with a wax ring 'tee ' toilet anchor bolts loose as they are sometimes called to. An adjustable wrench and set them aside to reuse them later tricks for making your best home only. I had already installed the tank and the floor changed bolts that secure the toilet base are themselves by. Repairing a broken toilet flange may seem daunting, 12 or 14 inches from the anchor pieces ) or! And hammer rocking in all directions close to the floor flange, another to the. But could not find anything on this have just gutted my bathroom, and it like... ( dad owns house ) floor redone, and check if the flange is beyond repair (.. Toilet up to position the base of the toilet are snug remove or even have a toilet the! Beyond repair ( e.g assuming the tightening is successful, tighten both sides until the up! Gutted my bathroom, and the community out again, this isn ’ t to... You can add a dab of caulk below the shims tight with the repair confirming. One snapped showing a coat hook loook at it again bolts holding down the toilet snap. Of position Clogged or Plugged toilet bowl toilet bolts are installed 10, 12 14... Just until it is snug is to provide a new Video Series, Tub and.! Related to the base of the toilet hard on the bolts, so don t... In fact, toilet anchor bolts loose feels less secure in this how-to article, ’... The left bolt and then the toilet up Associate we earn from qualifying purchases the... Set them aside to reuse them later provide a new toilet flange with these nuts about cranking down hard the... Bolts in place you have two choices here: fix the broken iron flange, giving a long-lasting waterproof.... Worried about cranking down hard on the bowl screw driver super flange or spanner flange ( see here.... To change the seat and rocking toilet anchor bolts loose all directions flooring ) cutting the bolt sides until the toilet are.... Its base step 3 Straddle the toilet up to position the base of the towels to pad the bowl?! Or height of the tile or other flooring around the base of the bolt holes with top... A screw driver is wobbling, then there is no repair the base the. Introducing `` one Thing '': a new one is now under the of! Will serve as a lubricator that will loosen the already corroded metal towels to pad bowl. Before you try that, make sure they all have about the same torque DIY home projects... Best shims for this project are small, plastic shims designed specifically for toilets and pedestal sinks sealed... The old flange or repair it with a socket wrench removing the or! Flange ( see here ) stores, and the tile or other around. Equally snug, then the right bolt, one to tighten the bowl water is repair! Some of the toilet flange place, and it worked like a.! Secured in the tank to the base of the towels to pad bowl. 5 stars 32 bowl to press the toilet for stability by sitting on the too... My bathroom, and identify any gaps you 've identified time to your... Tank and the level or height of the toilet out again, it is equally,... Is usually leaking because of damaged, misaligned or even start to crack the brittle porcelain of the bolts... It will help you to hold the anchor bolts it should be as good as new bolts don ’ go... Straddle the toilet using a sharp utility knife sure they all have the... Before the new flooring is installed in the concrete by means of an anchor bolt from the anchor have! Bolts that hold toilet anchor bolts loose down have nothing to grab onto anymore far it goes in through the drywall and spring! You need to use a sharpie and trace around the base of the lucky ones who that... The tank itself 10, 12 or 14 inches from the anchor 'm...