Toilet Repair: overtightened the closet bolt that connects the toilet to the flange

[kyparrish]

See title and subtitle.

Let me guess, I have to go and buy a whole new wax ring kit and re-do the whole thing because one of the sides is broken off, even though the toilet isn't going anywhere...

Does anybody have any experience in this?

 

[Safeway]

You broke the porcelain flange off?

 

[nweaver]

meh...as long as you used a new wax ring, and it seated well (get your fat mo-in-law to sit on it) you should be OK. just no violent rocking on that toilet

 

[kyparrish]

I don't think I broke the porcelain flange. I might have broken the thing underneath the toilet that holds the bolt in place while you lower the toilet down onto the hole. I can pull the bolt straight up out of the way, so I know I broke something. I'm just asking because there is a brand new wax ring now under the toilet, and the other side is completely bolted down. Wondering if I can get away without doing all of this work over again.

 

[kyparrish]

Originally posted by: nweaver
meh...as long as you used a new wax ring, and it seated well (get your fat mo-in-law to sit on it) you should be OK. just no violent rocking on that toilet

Sweet! I plopped my 2 and a half bills down on the seat before I tightened the bolts, and the other bolt is good to go, so you think I'll be okay? No leaking water that would cause major damage?

 

[Zontor]

It should be find as long as the toilet is seated firmly (no pun intended.)

Be sure you haven't overtightened the existing bolt, however or you'll break the flange.

If you do have to remove it, you don't need to buy a new wax ring if you're willing to heat it up with a hair drier and re-mold it a bit if required.

 

[iRONic]

Originally posted by: kyparrish
See title and subtitle.

Let me guess, I have to go and buy a whole new wax ring kit and re-do the whole thing because one of the sides is broken off, even though the toilet isn't going anywhere...

Does anybody have any experience in this?

The flange the bolts ride in rusted out for our second bathroom toilet. I drove some long-assed deck screws in kinda sideways. Hasn't leaked in two months, no wobble. I'm redoing that whole bathroom this fall though...

 

[kyparrish]

Thanks for the responses you guys.

Long story short, after replacing the wax ring, toilet is still making a running/leaking sound. I couldn't pinpoint where the sound was coming from before I started, but our hardwood floor in that bathroom discolored around the bottom of the toilet bowl, so I figured it was the wax ring that went bad.

Now, the sound is still there, and I'm thinking there is a tiny spot inside the tank where the flapper isnt' making 100% contact with the hole, and it's running ever so slightly.

I ignored the problem for about 2 months, and our water bill shot up $10 then $15 2 straight months just from this little bit of water running. Back to Home Depot to buy a new flapper kit to see if that's the problem.

iRONic, good call about remodelling. I'm trying to buy about a years worth of time, we'll be putting down leftover ceramic tiles on the floor (will match the rest of the downstairs), and will be removing the existing single sink vanity thing/ugly mirror with a pedestal sink/nice mirror combo. Home ownership FTW!!!!!111oneone

 

[iRONic]

Originally posted by: kyparrish
Thanks for the responses you guys.

Long story short, after replacing the wax ring, toilet is still making a running/leaking sound. I couldn't pinpoint where the sound was coming from before I started, but our hardwood floor in that bathroom discolored around the bottom of the toilet bowl, so I figured it was the wax ring that went bad.

Now, the sound is still there, and I'm thinking there is a tiny spot inside the tank where the flapper isnt' making 100% contact with the hole, and it's running ever so slightly.

I ignored the problem for about 2 months, and our water bill shot up $10 then $15 2 straight months just from this little bit of water running. Back to Home Depot to buy a new flapper kit to see if that's the problem.

iRONic, good call about remodelling. I'm trying to buy about a years worth of time, we'll be putting down leftover ceramic tiles on the floor (will match the rest of the downstairs), and will be removing the existing single sink vanity thing/ugly mirror with a pedestal sink/nice mirror combo. Home ownership FTW!!!!!111oneone

Yup, sounds like you gotta leaker. Pun intended.

My fix is definitely temporary. I woulda done a full kit like you if we weren't putting the jacuzzi tub and new tile in this fall. Damb house. It's never ending...

 

[ahurtt]

I have a feeling this is going to turn out to be one of those things that works fine for a while but then one day you're going to flush and the consequences are going to be catastrophic.

 

[dullard]

You'll probably be ok with just one bolt.

The constant running sound means the flapper isn't sealing. That has nothing to do with the wax ring. Sometimes just a new flapper will do it, but often you have to replace the whole tank guts.

But this teaches you one lesson about toilets. Always get 2 wax rings when you lift it up. They are less than $2 anyways. Also, get the tallest ring with the most wax that you can. A wet/dry vac so you don't make a mess (suck it out of the tank and bowl before doing any repair work) also helps quite a bit.

 

[kyparrish]

Originally posted by: dullard
You'll probably be ok with just one bolt.

The constant running sound means the flapper isn't sealing. That has nothing to do with the wax ring. Sometimes just a new flapper will do it, but often you have to replace the whole tank guts.

But this teaches you one lesson about toilets. Always get 2 wax rings when you lift it up. They are less than $2 anyways. Also, get the tallest ring with the most wax that you can. A wet/dry vac so you don't make a mess (suck it out of the tank and bowl before doing any repair work) also helps quite a bit.

Haha, yeah wet vac would have been nice. My car wash sponge is officially going in the trash.

The only reason I even thought the wax ring was because of the discoloration/early signs of rot on the hardwood floor under the bowl that was creeping out under the side. Even a plumber I talked to said swap out the wax ring.

But, you're right, the $4 flapper replacement kit at Home Depot did the job. Silence is a WONDERFUL sound to hear whenever fixtures that use running water are involved!

Thanks for all of the advice. The wax ring will be good I'm thinking, especially since this is only a 1-2 year fix at the most.

 

[bctbct]

You probably just popped the bolt out of the flange. If you have patience you might be able to work it back under without pulling the stool.

You could also just silicone the bottom of the stool to the floor which will prevent it from rocking. leave the back side uncaulked so that you can detect a leak if you have one.

I have never had this happen to me.... but I read books

 

[jiggahertz]

Originally posted by: dullard
You'll probably be ok with just one bolt.

The constant running sound means the flapper isn't sealing. That has nothing to do with the wax ring. Sometimes just a new flapper will do it, but often you have to replace the whole tank guts.

But this teaches you one lesson about toilets. Always get 2 wax rings when you lift it up. They are less than $2 anyways. Also, get the tallest ring with the most wax that you can. A wet/dry vac so you don't make a mess (suck it out of the tank and bowl before doing any repair work) also helps quite a bit.

If you turn off the water and flush, it will empty the tank and bowl.

 

[kyparrish]

Originally posted by: jiggahertz

Originally posted by: dullard
You'll probably be ok with just one bolt.

The constant running sound means the flapper isn't sealing. That has nothing to do with the wax ring. Sometimes just a new flapper will do it, but often you have to replace the whole tank guts.

But this teaches you one lesson about toilets. Always get 2 wax rings when you lift it up. They are less than $2 anyways. Also, get the tallest ring with the most wax that you can. A wet/dry vac so you don't make a mess (suck it out of the tank and bowl before doing any repair work) also helps quite a bit.

If you turn off the water and flush, it will empty the tank and bowl.

Yeah but not completely. Still have a little residual water in both the tank and the bowl that can get messy when moving the toilet to where you are going to work on it.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: kyparrish

Originally posted by: jiggahertz
If you turn off the water and flush, it will empty the tank and bowl.

Yeah but not completely. Still have a little residual water in both the tank and the bowl that can get messy when moving the toilet to where you are going to work on it.

Exactly. And that isn't just a little water. We are talking probably nearly a gallon in many toilets. A gallon of dirty nasty water (nasty in the tank and nasty in the bowl).

I think jiggahertz hasn't changed many toilets.