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how do you tighten a toilet tank bolt

by Dr. Geo Spinka I Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Quarter-Turn and Hand-Tighten

  1. Thread the nuts onto the toilet tank bolts after the washers. Tighten the nuts using your fingertips.
  2. Hand-thread the nut on the tank bolts.
  3. Tighten the nut.
  4. Adjust all tank bolts before continuing.
  5. After finger-tightening the nuts, quarter turn each nut with a wrench.
  6. After hand tightening the nut counterclockwise, use a small wrench or socket wrench to tighten each nut a quarter turn.

Part of a video titled How Tighten a Toilet Tank and Toilet - YouTube
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So the first thing to do is go ahead and get a screwdriver a pair of pliers or a crescent wrench.MoreSo the first thing to do is go ahead and get a screwdriver a pair of pliers or a crescent wrench. Reach from the inside. Take your crescent wrench or pliers tighten from the bottom.

Full Answer

What is the best way to bolt a toilet tank?

set the tank on the bowl, drop the bolts in, put the washer/nuts on both sides. with your left hand [right handed] press the tank down on one side. finger tighten the nut, press the tank down on the other side. finger tighten the nut. tighten the left side till the tank is within a 1/4′’ of the bowl.

How do you replace bolts on toilet tank?

  • Use rubber washers inside the toilet tank and on the outside—between the toilet and any metal washers.
  • Hand tighten the nuts on the tank bolts. ...
  • Remember, the purpose of the tank bolts are to create a good seal between tank and bowl. ...
  • After performing the initial tightening, check to see if the tank wobbles before tightening any further.

More items...

Which way to turn the bolts to tighten the toilet?

To tighten a toilet seat, grab the nut underneath the bowl using one hand and use the other hand to turn the mounting bolt clockwise using a screwdriver. To keep the seat aligned to the bowl, tighten the 2 bolts alternatingly but not too much to prevent stripping them.

How to replace toilet water tank bolts?

How to Replace Toilet Tank Bolts

  1. Empty the Tank. Turn off the water to the toilet. ...
  2. Remove the Toilet Tank. Use the adjustable spanner to loosen the tank bolts. ...
  3. Replace the Toilet Tank Bolts. Toilet tank bolts come with rubber and metal washers. ...
  4. Install the Toilet Tank. ...
  5. Connect Back the Water. ...

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How do you tighten a toilet bolt without cracking it?

Instead, it's often best to loosen both bolts, hand-tighten them, and then gradually tighten each bolt a quarter turn at a time. This equalizes the pressure between the bolts, reducing the risk of damage. Tighten each toilet bolt equally a quarter-turn at a time to prevent cracking.

Why is my toilet leaking from the tank bolts?

Tank bolts are the bolts that join the toilet tank to the bowl. They are usually installed with rubber washers inside the tank to avoid leaking. There is the possibility of the bolts getting loose, corroded, or worn out with time. And this leads to a leaking toilet tank.

How do you fix a wobbly toilet tank?

If your toilet tank is wobbly, you can fix it by tightening the bolts carefully. Alternatively, a wobbly tank can be caused by a loose gasket. You can correct this by replacing the gasket. Finally, toilet tank wobbles are not a cause for concern as long as the tank is not leaking onto the floor or into the bowl.

How tight should the bolts on a toilet be?

Whatever length wrench you're using, choke up on the handle all the way. "Too tight" begins once you start deforming the washer. Once you do start to deform the washer, you have to toss the, "hand tighten, then 1/4 turn with a wrench," out the window (not that I've ever found that sentiment to be satisfactory).

Why does my toilet leak between the tank and the bowl?

If your toilet is leaking between the tank and the bowl, you have a bad tank-to-bowl gasket, loose toilet tank bolts or worn toilet tank bolts washers. If the problem is the tank to bowl gasket the toilet will only leak when flushed but if it is the tank bolts or washers it will leak throughtout.

Why is my toilet tank rocking?

Toilets usually rock because they are not resting flush against the floor. Underneath the toilet base is a round toilet flange that connects the toilet to the drain pipe. 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.

Why does my toilet move when I sit?

Toilets wobble when they aren't held securely to the floor, and if you let the wobble persist, they can leak and give you more serious problems. More often than not, the wobble is caused by loose toilet bolts, but the flange may also be responsible. It may be corroded, broken or set too high.

Should there be a gap between toilet and wall?

Generally, a 1-inch gap between the back of a toilet and the wall is normal. Building codes require 15 inches from the center of a toilet to the back of a wall, resulting in a one-inch gap. If there is more than a 1-inch space, we recommend using an offset flange.

How do you attach a tank to a bowl bolt?

0:071:34How to install a Toilet Tank to Bowl Hardware Kit by Korky - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd remove all old nuts bolts. And washers from the toilet tank use the new bolts rubber washersMoreAnd remove all old nuts bolts. And washers from the toilet tank use the new bolts rubber washers washers and hex nuts included in the packaging to secure the tank to the bowl.

Why is my Kohler toilet leaking from the tank?

Water to Flapper or Canister Seal Level: The flapper or seal is worn, causing water to leak from the tank into the bowl. Replacing the flapper or seal is recommended. Water Completely Drained from Tank: The gasket located at the bottom of the flush valve is worn, causing water to leak from the tank into the bowl.

Can you use plumbers putty inside toilet tank?

Historically, plumber's putty was used to seal a leaky toilet or toilet bowl to a finished floor. However, we do not recommend using plumber's putty for these types of applications, as this product can't support the weight of a toilet and is not waterproof.

How do I know if my toilet is leaking from underneath?

Here is a simple Toilet Dye Test you can complete to see if your toilet is leaking.Drip 10 to 15 drops of food coloring into the toilet tank. ... Wait 10 minutes.If colored water appears in the toilet bowl, you have a leak.Generally the leak is in or around the plunger ball or flapper valve at the bottom of the tank.

How to tighten tank bolts?

Finger-tighten the nuts. Finger-tighten all tank bolts before moving on. Once the nuts are finger-tight, use a wrench to make a quarter turn to each nut. After you’ve tightened the nuts by hand, use an adjustable wrench or socket wrench to make a quarter turn to tighten each nut.

Why tighten a bolt on a toilet?

Overtightening one bolt leads to cracks in your toilet or a poor seal between tank and bowl . Always tighten bolts equally in small increments. Overtightening one bolt increases the chance of cracking your toilet or creating a leaky seal between the tank and bowl.

How to stop a toilet from cracking?

Keep an eye on the rubber washers both inside and outside of the toilet tank as you tighten the bolts. Once the rubber washers on either side begin to flatten, squash, or deform, it’s time to stop tightening. Continuing to torque the bolts past this point will crack your toilet.

What to do if a tank wobbles?

If the tank does wobble, tighten the bolts in small increments.

Why are toilet bolts not strain bearing?

They are not strain-bearing bolts. The purpose of the bolts is to ensure a secure seal between the tank and the toilet bowl. One of the most common mistakes in toilet installs is thinking that the tighter the bolt, the better it is. Avoid this way of thinking.

What does it mean when water is pooling in the toilet?

If water is pooling on the bathroom floor around the toilet in this time, it is typically a sign of a leaking toilet . After securing the tank to the bowl, keep an eye out for water leaking onto the ground from a bad seal. Verify that any leaks are coming from the tank before tightening tank bolts.

What is the purpose of tank bolts?

Remember, the purpose of the tank bolts are to create a good seal between tank and bowl. They do not need to be extremely tight.

How to change tank bolts?

Slide the end of a screwdriver into the head of one of the tank mounting bolts located inside the tank. Hold the nut of the same bolt with an adjustable wrench. Turn the screwdriver -- not the wrench -- two full revolutions clockwise. Move to the second tank-mounting bolt and repeat the process.

Why is it important to have a tight connection between the tank and the bowl of a toilet?

A tight connection between the tank and bowl of a toilet is essential to keeping water off your floor and keeping the toilet flushing at full strength. Over time, the two bolts that connect the pieces of a toilet together can work loose. This allows the toilet tank gasket to shift and water to leak past the gasket and run freely onto the floor.

How to stop water from running in toilet bowl?

1. Turn off the water supply to the toilet turning the supply valve clockwise until it stops. Remove the lid from the top of the tank. 2.

How to remove water from a water tank?

Turn off the water again and drain it from the tank. Hold the head of a mounting bolt steady with the screwdriver while you turn the nut counterclockwise with an adjustable wrench. Pull the bolt from the mounting hole. Remove the second mounting bolt using the same method. Pull the tank from the bowl. Turn the tank upside down.

What is Toilet Tank Bolts?

It is essential to connect the toilet tank and bowl tightly using the toilet tank bolts. Connecting the bowl and tank will help to prevent leaks when flushing. Another name given to toilet tank bolts is tank-to-bowl bolts.

How Does a Toilet Tank Bolt work?

The primary work of the toilet tank bolt is to hold the toilet bowl and the tank in place. If the toilet tank bolts are tightened correctly, you will continue to enjoy a wobble-free and leak-free toilet tank.

How Tight Should Toilet Tank Bolts Be?

You should avoid overtightening your toilet tank bolts because they can crack your toilet bowl or tank. Toilets are made of hard materials (porcelain) that will not flex or bend, so they will break when the toilet tank bolts are overtightened.

Tightening the Toilet Tank Bolts

Toilet tank bolts can be tightened using your fingers, screwdriver, and an adjustable wrench. Tightening your toilet tank bolts is a simple process, and you can complete it within a few minutes. The following tips below will guide you on tightening a toilet tank without breaking the tank or bowl.

How to Know When You Should Stop Tightening

The first way to know that you should stop tightening is by checking for wobble. If your toilet tank wobbles, you will tighten it a little more. But it would be best if you stopped tightening once you noticed that it does not wobble.

Conclusion

You don’t need to hire a plumber to help you tighten your toilet tank bolts. Tightening toilet tank bolts is a simple process, and you can easily do it yourself if you have the right tools/materials.

How tight should tank bolts be?

There is no definite answer but there is something that should work just fine. Tighten the bolts until they are snug and then give them a couple more turns. You want the tank to be secure but don’t want to damage the porcelain by overtightening.

Why empty the water tank of bolts?

We want to empty the tank of all of its water to give us greater ease of access to the bolts. Even if it were possible to get to the bolts with the tank full, it would be a huge mess. We want to try to avoid messes where we can when it comes to the toilet.

Why do toilet bolts strip?

That kind of weight on a loose or unstable connection can potentially put pressure on the bolts and cause them to strip . There are a litany of other issues that may arise from a loose toilet tank. Whenever you notice any movement in the tank, it is important to tighten down the bolts sooner rather than later.

How to fix a tank that won't move?

The most likely solution is to tighten a loose bolt that keeps the tank attached to the bowl. That can mean all the difference in the world, giving you a tank that does not move versus one that wobbles from time to time.

What to do if your water tank isn't level?

If the tank isn’t quite level, go back to carefully tightening then mounting bolts. With enough tightening, the tank should sit level with the bowl and your job will be finished.

Why is it important to keep a toilet stable?

Under optimal conditions, your toilet should remain sturdy and stable at all times. It needs to be so in order to ensure that there are no leaks . After all, leaks are one of the worst situations related to your toilet that you can experience.

How to turn a nut on a gas tank?

Using the end of a screwdriver, slide it into the head of one of the bolts on the inside of the tank. With your other hand, hold the nut in place with your adjustable wrench. Make sure that your grip is secure, otherwise you will just wind up turning the nut too and nothing will happen.

What to do if toilet tank bolts are corroded?

If you find that the toilet tank bolts are really corroded or too tight, you will need to cut the nuts off. Since the space is too small to accommodate a hacksaw, use a hacksaw blade to cut the nuts.

How long does it take to remove a toilet tank bolt?

This is however an easy job and should take you between 30 minutes and 1 hour.

What are the washers on a toilet tank?

Toilet tank bolts come with rubber and metal washers. While replacing them, make sure that the rubber washers are the ones in contact with the body of the tank. This helps to create a water tight seal and also absorbs shock in case you tighten the bolts therefore preventing it from cracking.

How to check if toilet tank is leaking?

Flush the toilet. Remove the toilet tank lid. Use a screwdriver to hold the bolts head from inside the tank while you tighten the nuts from underneath the bowl with your other hand. Check if the tank stops leaking.

What happens if the bolts on a toilet stop leaking?

If the toilet tank bolts have stopped leaking then you are home and dry. If on the other hand they are still leaking or you just want a long term fix, you need to replace them.

How many bolts does a toilet tank need?

A toilet tank is joint to the bowl using 2 or sometimes 3 bolts. To avoid leaking, rubber washers are normally installed together with the bolts from the inside of the tank. With time, the toilet tank bolts become loose, corroded or the rubber washers are worn out resulting in a leaking toilet tank. If you live in area with hard water you are more ...

Why is my toilet leaking from the tank bolts?

Toilet Leaking From Tank Bolts? Here is how to Fix it. If you ever notice water pooling around the base of your toilet, most likely it is as a result of a leaking wax ring , but it could also be that your toilet is leaking from the tank bolts. A toilet tank is joint to the bowl using 2 or sometimes 3 bolts. To avoid leaking, rubber washers are ...

How to tighten toilet tank bolts?

Thread the nuts onto the toilet tank bolts after the washers. Tighten the nuts using your fingertips.

What happens if you tighten the bolts on a toilet?

If you tighten toilet tank bolts too much, you can crack the toilet tank or the bowl.

How to tighten a nut after hand tightening?

After hand tightening the nut counterclockwise, use a small wrench or socket wrench to tighten each nut a quarter turn.

What to do if toilet tank bolts are rusty?

If the toilet tank bolts are rusty or overly tight, remove the nuts. Because the space is limited, use a hacksaw blade to cut the nuts.

Why do toilets crack?

Because toilets are made of vitreous china, putting too much stress on them can cause them to crack when you tighten toilet tank bolts too much.

How many bolts do you need to connect a toilet tank to the bowl?

Two or three bolts connect your toilet tank to the bowl, and rubber washers are usually placed with the bolts from the interior of the tank to prevent leaks.

Why does my toilet tank wobble?

Besides this, if you find water gathering around the base of your toilet, it’s likely a leaking wax ring, but it can be the tank bolts are leaking.

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