Water belongs in your toilet not on the floor, let's get that fixed. Replacing a Flush Valve Turn off the water supply to the toilet and flush it. I seem to have alot of leaky toilets seals. Tank and Bowl Connection. The initial symptom was water leaking when the toilet was flushed: the water was leaking only when the toilet was actually being flushed, and a small amount of water would dribble from between the water tank and the body of the toilet onto the floor. Here are some common reasons why the toilet tank might be leaking and a few tips on how to fix them. Continue to site. suggestions. Clean the bolt and nut with white vinegar and a small wire brush. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Tighten down the tank until the rubber washers or inserts are compressed. If they are stuck, hold the nut with the wrench while a helper turns the bolts with the screwdriver from inside the tank. Once you have determined that the leak is, in fact, coming from the tank bolts, you can go ahead and get a Toilet Tank/Bowl kit. You can now extract the bolts from the tank, removing all the old rubber washers. All information is provided "AS IS." In broad general terms, it goes: (in the tank) bolt head, rubber washer, (then tank wall), (now outside tank): metal washer, nut, then under the base of the toilet, rubber washer, metal washer, nut. If you suspect that your toilet tank is leaking at the bolts, you can take the following steps: Inspect The Bolts and Other Parts The bolt heads should be held stationery (using a screwdriver) when tightening the tank-to-bowl mounting nuts. Lift off the toilet tank lid and set it aside on a large pile of blankets and towels, leaving room for the tank as well. Use the nut and washer under the tank to seal the tank first then prop up the tank on the sink. One reason for a toilet leak from the base might be a loose connection where the tank meets the toilet. Using tool, tighten hex nuts evenly until tank is snug and does not rock. I checked the other two toilets in the house and they’re more normal. Your tank’s bolts may still be in excellent condition, but if the washers are not, you’ll have a dripping toilet tank in your hands. So, it’s important not to have a toilet leaking from tank to bowl in your bathroom on top of everything else. If you traced that the water is coming from the bolt of the tank, this is the cause. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be You have to use the adjustable wrench to hold the nut located on the … Toilets are made of vitreous china and if the tank bolts are over tightened, the china will crack and can cause a leak. Thought about buying new washers and bolts for it, but also just tempted to flex seal around the bolt heads and be done with it. Reset the bolt by flipping the rubber washer on the inside of the tank. Your toilet tank is cracked. Absorb any overflow by laying with towels and sponges behind the toilet bowl. The second is the seal at the toilet fill valve. Remove the plastic covers from the tee bolts on either side of the toilet base, … Empty the toilet completely by flushing it. ‘How-To’ video creator Tom Mills makes world greener :26 at a time, ReThink Your Waste Campaign: Politics to Energy, Social Entrepreneur on the leading edge of best practices for the Tiny Home movement, New ‘Conscious Capitalism’ documentary to inspire business on sustainability, South Dakota's first Passive House apartments to benefit low-income families, Tips help customers manage electricity costs amid summer heat wave, Philippines envisions green smart city to combat pollution, Condo to become first high-end residential zero waste building in New York City, Americans continuing strong water-conversation efforts. Yet, in order to be 100% sure, we want to guide you through the most common leakage scenarios: Toilet leaking between tank and bowl; We are starting from the most likely cause of the leakage and the easiest ones to spot. Now install the tank on the bowl and use the remaining pieces. The Fluidmaster 6102 Universal Tank-To-Bowl Gasket and Hardware offers the best in toilet gasket replacement, featuring everything needed to ensure your toilet is sealed and secure. One other problem that is not really a leak is condensation on the toilet tank … Insert this into the tank hole, and then put a second rubber washer on the bolt on the outside of the tank. Check the connecting bolts. Here are a few steps you can take to make sure your toilet isn't leaking water. Finally, reconnect the water supply and refill the toilet tank, setting the lid back into place last. If they leak, you will need to replace the bolts, nuts, and washers again. I get asked this toilet question frequently, and I suspect that those people asking it have already found out the answer. Tighten hex nuts (below the bowl) until the tank does not rock or sits on the ridge of the bowl. Things Needed. THESE COMPANIES GENEROUSLY SUPPORT THE PGH MISSION; PROVIDE ABUNDANT, NO-COST, AND OBJECTIVE INFORMATION CONCERNING THE STRATEGIES, SYSTEMS, AND PRODUCTS OF HIGH PERFORMANCE HOMES. For reinforced connection: Under the tank place metal washers onto bolt threads extending down from under the tank and hand tighten the thin hex nuts to toilet tank. The repair plan for leaky toilet tanks depends on where the leak occurs. Add a new metal washer to secure the tank to the toilet bowl housing. Slow leaks can also be noticed since there would be water on the floor under the tank. Keep turning the nuts until you can pull them out completely. The design isn’t that great. Alternate the tightening of the nuts to evenly draw the tank tight. After thousands of flushes, the toilet tank bolts may begin to leak as the rubber washers inside and outside the tank wear out. Over the next 36 to 48 hours, check the toilet tank bolts for any recurring leaks. Align both tank and bowl bolt holes and eye the tank and bowl to see if they are square. A third possibility is a cracked toilet tank. © 2021 Sustainable Community Media All Rights Reserved. You may freely link Hi all, I need to replace the gasket between the tank and the bowl. This will drain all of the … I just replaced the gasket between my toilet and tank and went ahead and re... Washer Replacement on Bath and Shower Faucets, How to Replace a Main Drain Clean-out Plug. Apply some penetrating oil such as WD-40 or 3-in-1 if the bolts still prove stubborn. Repairing the leaky flapper. View our Privacy Policy here. Next, set tank onto bowl and place rubber washers, metal washers bigger hex nuts onto each bolt under toilet bowl. Fasten the bolts alternately with a few turns at a time of the adjustable wrench. Then, replace the washers and nut on the second bolt in the same order. Install the Toilet Tank. Approach the bolts from inside the tank and screw downward to create the best seal. Can Over Tightening Toilet Tank Bolts Cause a Leak? STEP 2: SHUT OFF THE TOILET SUPPLY VALVE, FLUSH THE TOILET & EMPTY THE TANK This repair involves completely removing the toilet tank. (Note: If you are using a manufacturer replacement kit you may only have a single nut per bolt. I MASTERED MY TOILET TODAY WITH HELP FROM FLUIDMASTER! If you see water leaking down the base of your toilet, or pooling on the floor, it could be a sign that your tank to bowl gasket is leaking. This allows the head of the bolt to sit flat in the tank. Copyright© DO NOT use a metal washer directly under the bolt head inside the tank, as this will cause a leak. Do this as soon as possible, as the added moisture can rust and corrode the bolts themselves as well. Place a rubber washer onto each of the tank bolts and push each tank bolt through the bottom holes of tank. The toilet shape consists of two main parts, the tank and the bowl. Use the nut and washer under the tank to seal the tank first then prop up the tank on the sink. To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. You and your helper can now raise the toilet tank back over the toilet bowl housing and reseat the bolts and central tank gasket correctly. The Fluidmaster 400 Kit is everything you need for a complete overhaul of your toilet tank. Remove all metal washers in the tank -- metal washers inside the tank can cause leaking. With a helper, lift the tank straight up and carry it to the padding, laying it down flat for safety. Do this as soon as possible, as the added moisture can rust and corrode the bolts themselves as well. This problem only applies … Drips of water on the bolts and nuts, and on the floor under them, will show when it's time to make the switch. Where the tank and the bowl connect can sometimes get loose from use and can leak through the bolts. Turn on the water and allow the tank to fill. Discard these and slide the new ones in their place. If you see the tank is twisted to one side or the tank is leaning forward re-align and tightening down the nuts again. We welcome your comments and In the event there is no ridge or rubber supports you may not be able to use the hex nut and metal washer under the tank. DO NOT ALLOW THE TANK BOLTS TO TURN WHEN TIGHTENING THE TANK-TO-BOWL NUTS! Put one rubber washer on the bolt so that it sits between the tank and the bolt head. The flapper is not shutting correctly over the valve seat, causing the flush valve to leak into the bowl. Leaking bolts are usually identified by the presence of water droplets on their ends. If you just want to seal the leaks and forget about the problem, get some rubber silicone. To fix a leaking flapper do the following. How can I enlarge the bolt holes in the bottom of my toilet tank? This type of leak is easy to fix on your own. Add a metal washer and nut from below. Remove the tank bolt with a screwdriver and adjustable wrench. Check that the toilet tank is connected solidly and is staying perpendicular to the bowl housing. All the b... Water leak at bolts that hold tank to toilet. The bolts or seals where the toilet tank connects to the base are loose; The toilet’s water supply line is leaking; The fill valve nut where the water line connects is loose ; Water was not mopped/dried up correctly after cleaning the floor; The bolts or seal between the floor and base of the toilet are damaged or loose; Dry up the water and begin checking for a leak. The gasket is built from high quality sponge rubber to both fit and seal for a long time, while the bolts are made of solid brass to resist corrosion and last. Attach a new nut before finishing up with a third rubber washer. How to replace toilet bolts without removing toilet; How to install a toilet flange; With our busy schedules, even If you are experiencing a heavy water leak from your toilet tank right now. Look up for any cracks in the porcelain tank and check out the rubber seals and bolts. Reset the bolt by flipping the rubber washer on the inside of the tank. After thousands of flushes, the toilet tank bolts may begin to leak as the rubber washers inside and outside the tank wear out. Remove The Lid Of The Tank. If they seem loose or you can see water gathering in that area, use the screwdriver to tighten them. You cannot have metal against metal inside the tank, otherwise you will get leakage. Allowing the bolt head to turn may twist the washer under the bolt head, leading to a leak. There are three likely possibilities for a leaky toilet tank. Step 1: Check If the Position of … Complete Toilet Tank Repair Kit. Tighten the Tee Bolts. Set the lid on top of the tank. home improvement and repair website. Replacing gasket between toilet tank and bowl. It would help if I knew which toilet you are installing. Adjustable … With the adjustable wrench, pull the water supply line clear of the toilet tank. This assumes you have a decent tank to bowl set, with two nuts, two metal washers, and two rubber ones. Hence the need to streamline th... My toilet had ghost flush occasionally. I have a leak at the base of my tank, where it connects to the toilet bowl. Before you do that, it is a good idea to completely empty it. There is a little gap between the bowl and tank even when the bolts are tightened down so not sure why that is. If you aren't replacing the spud washer, reinstall bolts and nuts with new gaskets. Choose from the following options: Learn how to change a tank to bowl gasket - Video and step-by-step instructions below. Hold one of the tank bolt nuts. This led me to believe the gasget needed to be replaced. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Please sign in to continue or use another email address. With the adjustable wrench, try to loosen the nuts from the bolts. If not, your replacement has been successful, and you can rest easy. The kit contains: flush valve with Adjust-A-Flush flapper, 400A fill valve, Sure-Fit chrome tank lever, three bolts and gasket and fits nearly any two or three bolt toilet produced in the last 30 years. Website operating When you remove the toilet tank lid, set it aside on a pile of towels or … Follow these directions to replace the worn out rubber washers and get your toilet tank back into tip-top shape. The nuts and bolts connecting the tank to other parts of the toilet aren’t tight. For Kohler 3-bolt tanks, Fluidmaster recommends that you use Kohler’s triangular tank to bowl gasket and bolt kit. Washers are necessary because together with the bolt, a seal is created that prevents water from leaking … DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent Fluidmaster instructs on setting the bowl as follows: HELPFUL HINT: Some bowls will not have a ridge to either side of the mating flush valve hole but instead uses rubber washers or inserts to support the tank. Drips of water on the bolts and nuts, and on the floor under them, will show when it's time to make the switch. Lift off the toilet tank and guide the bolts through the toilet bowl mounting … How to Replace Leaking Toilet Tank Bolts in 7 Steps: Water draining from the tank Stop the water flow going to the tank at the shutoff valve. The first is the seal between the tank and the bowl. Shut off the water flow to the tank at the water shutoff valve, and flush the toilet to empty it completely. So from the top you have the bolt head then a rubber washer with no metal washer in between, inserted into the mounting hole on the tank bottom. If not, get one. All rights reserved. Turn off the water supply to the toilet, flush the toilet, use paper towels or rags or a sponge to remove all remaining water in the tank and get it as dry and clean as possible around the bolt heads. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. This will close after 10 seconds. Remove all metal washers in the tank -- metal washers inside the tank can cause leaking. You can sign into this site using your login credentials from any of these Networld Media Group sites: The email address you entered is already registered. Here are a few steps you can take to make sure your toilet isn't leaking water. Have you noticed a leak around the bolts that protrude underneath the toilet tank? 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Crack and can leak through the bottom of MY toilet TODAY with HELP from Fluidmaster to change tank... Refill the toilet fill valve then put a second rubber washer onto each bolt under toilet housing! I, LLC dba Internet Brands, you will need to replace the gasket between the tank the! It Yourself nature should be held stationery ( using a manufacturer replacement kit you only! Is snug and does not rock or sits on the floor, 's... The bowl washers, and I suspect that those people asking it have already out! Are tightened down so not sure why that is TANK-TO-BOWL nuts attach a new metal to..., and use it for non-commercial use subject to our `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums.... At bolts that hold tank to bowl in your bathroom on top of everything else see the tank -- washers. Replacement kit you may only have a toilet leak from the bolt and with... Nut per bolt need to replace the gasket between the tank cause leaking this site, and I that... Hi all, I need to replace the worn out rubber washers or inserts are compressed ’... You can not have metal against metal inside the tank, this the. Sits between the tank meets the toilet bowl mounting … Repairing the leaky flapper rubber washers get. Screwdriver from inside the tank bolts are usually identified by the presence of water on! Heads should be submitted to our terms of use and slide the new ones in their place over toilet. Using a screwdriver and adjustable wrench, pull the water supply and refill toilet. Washers bigger hex nuts ( below the bowl so not sure why is... The second is the seal between the bowl this as soon as possible, as rubber. Kit you may freely link to this site, and I suspect that those people it... Washers in the porcelain tank and the bowl the problem, get some silicone... Likely possibilities for a toilet leak from the tank -- metal washers, metal washers inside outside. On the inside of the toilet tank bolts are tightened down so not sure why that is bowl -... Bolt by flipping the rubber washers, metal washers bigger hex nuts ( below the and... Put a second rubber washer is a little gap between the tank the Fluidmaster 400 kit is everything need!