If your toilet is wobbly or loose but not leaking, this quick fix might be just what you need. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Work the blade between the nut and the washer and saw through the bolt; however, the bolt placement on some toilets can make it impossible to use a hacksaw. You could also use plumber's putty to hold the existing bolt caps in place if they are in good shape. The typical toilet has a dome-shaped cap over each bolt, both to protect the hardware and hide it. A wrench can come in handy, too. Over time, these bolts can slowly freeze to the nut, which makes tightening them a difficult job. The 1/4-inch size is the morestandard. toilet bolt caps may vary from brand to brand. Subscribe Now:http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=ehowatHomeChannelWatch More:http://www.youtube.com/ehowatHomeChannelFixing toilet bolts that won't tighten is something that you can do with a pair of pliers and a pair of vice grips. Sometimesespecially if the closet bolts weren't covered to begin withthey will be too long to accept the new caps. The sequence you follow when securing a toilet is as follows: Set the toilet on the floor with the flange bolts poking through the holes in the base. Richard Epstein is a licensed master plumber with over 40 years experience in residential and commercial plumbing. Watch \u0026 learn, as \"joe\" shows you how to re-secure a loose toilet bolt. If the bolts are too long to allow the toilet caps to sit flat on the toilet base, you will need to cut them with a mini hacksaw or a rotary tool with a metal-cutting disc. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to remove toilet bolt caps without too much difficulty. Plastic nuts and bolts are often recommended because they dont corrode. Take a screwdriver and hold it firmly, then slip the flat end under the plastic cap and push it upward. Pop the side panels straight out with a putty knife inserted into one edge. Now it's time to get to the toilet bowl. 1. Do not rotate the pliers on the nut; doing so could damage the threads. If this happens, you can cut the bolt cap with a knife or a hacksaw. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. It's guided me through all my plumbing challenges while remodeling my kitchen three years ago, and now my bathroom which I'm close to finishing. You shouldn't be hesitant about cutting . You should leave your toilet for at least 8 hours to install fully before using it. I am a very hairy guy and have personally tested every razor I can get my hands on. The bases have to go on before you screw on the nuts to secure the toilet. 1. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. He started his own residential service and repair plumbing business. When this happens, you must install a new set of caps. A threaded bolt cover comes with special adapters that you first need to make sure are placed on the bolts. Follow this with a metal washer. No problem. Check carefully for water around the base of the toilet. Remove the rag in the sewer pipe. The washers are supplied with the toilet bolts. Cut the stripped or frozen bolts off the toilet with a pair of bolt cutters. Smith Edwards is a licensed plumber and writer with over a decade of hands-on construction and home improvement experience and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years. If that doesn't work, replace the flapper. You can also use a small hacksaw, which will help you cut through the bolts if they turn out to be too long. In fact, some of the plastic toilet bolt caps on the market are even more decorative than the original ones. You are using an out of date browser. Lift the old bolts out of the flange. Slip the edge of the blade under the cap and pry upward. Otherwise, place the edge of the wheel at the point where the nut and washer come together. Caps come with flat plastic keepers that go below the metal washer and nut. If you can't just pull off the cap, pry it off with a flat-blade screwdriver. When this happens, youll know its time to remove or replace them. The ring can corrode or break, loosening its grip on the bolts. Aaron Stickley is a licensed plumber with 15 years of experience in commercial, new residential plumbing, and residential service and repair. Gillette is by far my favorite brand of handheld razors, sometimes referred to as razor handles. These bolts need to be free of debris that might prevent new caps from attaching to them correctly. Flush the toilet to drain the water and unhook the water supply hose from the side of the toilet. Set the toilet on the floor with the flange bolts poking through the holes in the base. They are commonly sold at home centers, hardware stores, and restaurant supply stores. That's why you often see exposed toilet bolts or caps partially hanging from the top of a bolt. 100% Made in USA! Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Slip on the new plastic base washer, then add the metal washer and nut over the plastic washer. If the gaps are too small to see, try sliding a shim under the base to see how far it goes in. Threaded caps are an improvement over standard snap-on caps for a few reasons. How to Remove Toilet Bolt Caps and Install New Ones, A pair of gloves to protect your hands and keep them clean, A screwdriver or flat knife to remove the bolt covers, An adjustable wrench or pliers to screw threaded caps, A small hammer to install traditional caps, Vinegar and baking soda to clean the bolts before installing bolt covers. I hate having to remove a toilet, just because I didn't know how to resecure ittoilet bolt or no toilet bolt. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, How to Remove a Toto Toilet Seat's Hinge Bolts, CVideos: Toilet Closet Bolts - Trimming, Cutting T-Bolts to Put Caps On, PlumbingSupply.com: Extra Tall Toilet Bolt Caps, Matching bolt caps for obsolete toilet colors from This Old Toilet. Even though toilet bolts should be tight, they shouldnt be overtightened. Installing Toilet Bolt Caps. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Set the cap on the base and push down until it snaps and locks. In fact, the cap comes with a base to hold it, and the base has to be installed before you bolt the toilet down. If the nuts on the bolts turn, but do not tighten, remove the nuts rather than cutting the bolt. Remove the seat and lid that contains the toilet bolt caps from the bowl, be it round or elongated. Allow it to sit undisturbed for three to four hours while the oil works its way under the nut. Not only is this slow and laborious, but you also risk scratching the toilet. Avoid transferring germs from the toilets surfaces by putting on rubber gloves. Replacement bolts are inexpensive and available at hardware and home-improvement stores. In the worst-case scenario, the cap wont budge at all because its stuck. You can try to remove the caps with your hands, but its easier if you have the right tool. Hand tighten, then use your wrench to snug up the connection a bit more. Pour the solution on the bolts until it becomes wet, then leave it for 15 minutes before rinsing with water. 2023 Bomisch.com Using our tips, youll have the job done in less than 20 minutes. If you notice this problem, cut off a small section of the bolt using a hacksaw. Sit on the toilet and transfer your weight in all directions to help seat the wax ring correctly. If the nut and/or bolt are rusted in place, spray some penetrating oil on the assemblage, wait 15 to 20 minutes and try to remove it again. Fix toilet bolts that won't tighten with help from a foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.Expert: Joshua ClementFilmmaker: Nathanael RittichierSeries Description: A lot of things can go wrong with a toilet - luckily they're all pretty easy to fix on your own. Aaron Stickley is a licensed plumber with 15 years of experience in commercial, new residential plumbing, and residential service and repair. Once it dries fully, your toilet should be as good as new. And third, the threaded caps stay in place much better than snap-on caps. Your toilet can work without them, but caps give it a finished look and protect the bolt from corrosion. Turn off the water to the toilet. All you need to do is thread an adapter onto the closet bolt and let it snap or thread the adapter piece. It may not display this or other websites correctly. He specializes in estimating as well as design and engineering for plumbing systems, and he works for one of New York's largest union plumbing construction companies. If you happen to have an angle grinder, you can cut the bolts much faster, but any slip of the grinder could spell disaster. Tighten the nuts onto the new bolts. If your toilet rocks or moves when you sit down, a loose bolt is probably the culprit. This problem candevelop over time, such as when the wax seal becomes faultyor when a surrounding floor settles a little. Hold the rotary tool upside down, so that the end with the attachment is pointing down and the cutting wheel is aligned horizontally, roughly parallel with the floor. So, youll need to use your other hand to reach under the rim and hold the nut tightly at the bottom of the screw. Something like a flathead screwdriver or knife is excellent for removing caps. Hold the toilet caps next to the bolts to determine the correct bolt height, then cut the bolts short enough so the new caps will sit flush on the toilet base when they are threaded on all the way. Furthermore, you dont have to cut your long bolts because the threaded toilet bolt caps are tall enough. If necessary, smooth the caulk with your finger, wiping your finger clean frequently with a paper towel or a rag. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. PetAquariums.com is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Subscribe Now:http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=ehowatHomeChannelWatch More:http://www.youtube.com/ehowatHomeChannelFixing toilet bolts tha. Lift the toilet and set it down on the flange at a slight angle. Sometimes a little pressure while holding the bolt is all that is required to tighten it. At 5/16 inches tall, you dont have to worry about cutting down your bolts for the caps to fit perfectly unless the bolts are too tall. Feeling very silly now, the keeper was upside down. Now its time to get to the toilet bowl. Fluidmaster 7115 Replacement Toilet Bolt Caps In White, Stinky John's Tall Toilet Bolt Caps: Don't Cut Those Bolts! You can use vinegar or soda for cleaning rusty bolts. Keep reading Bomisch articles for more DIYs just like this we have a lot more bathroom ideas and practical tips to share with you! The work of toilet bolts is holding the toilet onto the flange, which attaches it to the floor. To do so, hand roll the putty into a small tube shape, place on the bottom of the cap and press the cap back down over the bolt. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Caulk is important for a finished look and to keep mop water 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. Confirm that your toilet is not leaking. Heres what you should do: Put a towel under the toilet bowl to protect your floor and yourself from excess or running water. Do this from different sides and various angles to loosen the cap. When dealing with corroded bolts, you may need to use a wrench to unscrew the rusted bolts. If therocking comes back after a while, or if the bolts loosen up and won't retighten, a damaged flange is likely the cause. If you cant clean the caps with Heinz Cleaning Vinegar or other similar products, you need to replace them. There are a few obvious signs that you need to replace your toilets bolt caps. You should also disinfect the surfaces with an effective disinfectant to ensure the work environment is thoroughly clean. If the screw is stripped, only the screw will turn in place. Apply a thin, evenbead of caulk around the base of the toilet to cover the gap along the floor and hide the shims. Don't overtighten. If you know what you're doing (\u0026 you will, once you watch this video! Always wear eye protection when using power tools. You mean you don't have to remove the entire toilet to then r. When dealing with corroded bolts, you may need to use a wrench to unscrew the rusted bolts. These are simple toilet bolt caps that come with decorative plastic caps that can snap onto a toilets base washer. JavaScript is disabled. Rocking is for concerts and chairsnot toilets. If you don't use snap-off breakable bolts, you'll probably have to cut them with a hacksaw as demonstrated by CVideos. Thread an adapter onto each toilet bolt with the notches of the adapter on the bottom. Small hacksaw, which will help you cut through the holes in the base see! 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