If you see the tank is twisted to one side or the tank is leaning forward re-align and tightening down the nuts again. Remove all metal washers in the tank -- metal washers inside the tank can cause leaking. 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. © 2021 Sustainable Community Media All Rights Reserved. This led me to believe the gasget needed to be replaced. Turn on the water and allow the tank to fill. You may freely link To fix a leaking flapper do the following. Alternate the tightening of the nuts to evenly draw the tank tight. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. The nuts and bolts connecting the tank to other parts of the toilet aren’t tight. 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. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be I have a leak at the base of my tank, where it connects to the toilet bowl. With the adjustable wrench, try to loosen the nuts from the bolts. This type of leak is easy to fix on your own. It would help if I knew which toilet you are installing. STEP 2: SHUT OFF THE TOILET SUPPLY VALVE, FLUSH THE TOILET & EMPTY THE TANK This repair involves completely removing the toilet tank. If you aren't replacing the spud washer, reinstall bolts and nuts with new gaskets. Do this as soon as possible, as the added moisture can rust and corrode the bolts themselves as well. 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. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. There are three likely possibilities for a leaky toilet tank. All information is provided "AS IS." Here are some common reasons why the toilet tank might be leaking and a few tips on how to fix them. This allows the head of the bolt to sit flat in the tank. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent A third possibility is a cracked toilet tank. 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. 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. Tighten hex nuts (below the bowl) until the tank does not rock or sits on the ridge of the bowl. Fasten the bolts alternately with a few turns at a time of the adjustable wrench. You can now extract the bolts from the tank, removing all the old rubber washers. Reset the bolt by flipping the rubber washer on the inside of the tank. Please sign in to continue or use another email address. 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. Apply some penetrating oil such as WD-40 or 3-in-1 if the bolts still prove stubborn. 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. Hence the need to streamline th... My toilet had ghost flush occasionally. This assumes you have a decent tank to bowl set, with two nuts, two metal washers, and two rubber ones. Check that the toilet tank is connected solidly and is staying perpendicular to the bowl housing. 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. All the b... Water leak at bolts that hold tank to toilet. Have you noticed a leak around the bolts that protrude underneath the toilet tank? Reset the bolt by flipping the rubber washer on the inside of the tank. Shut off the water flow to the tank at the water shutoff valve, and flush the toilet to empty it completely. 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. How can I enlarge the bolt holes in the bottom of my toilet tank? Step 1: Check If the Position of … The flapper is not shutting correctly over the valve seat, causing the flush valve to leak into the bowl. Place a rubber washer onto each of the tank bolts and push each tank bolt through the bottom holes of tank. Here are a few steps you can take to make sure your toilet isn't leaking water. 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. One other problem that is not really a leak is condensation on the toilet tank … So, it’s important not to have a toilet leaking from tank to bowl in your bathroom on top of everything else. 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. Copyright© Washers are necessary because together with the bolt, a seal is created that prevents water from leaking … If not, your replacement has been successful, and you can rest easy. If you suspect that your toilet tank is leaking at the bolts, you can take the following steps: Inspect The Bolts and Other Parts Remove the plastic covers from the tee bolts on either side of the toilet base, … Remove The Lid Of The Tank. Next, set tank onto bowl and place rubber washers, metal washers bigger hex nuts onto each bolt under toilet bowl. 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. If you just want to seal the leaks and forget about the problem, get some rubber silicone. Continue to site. 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. Prefabricated Homes / Systems Built Homes / Modular Homes. Repairing the leaky flapper. Use the nut and washer under the tank to seal the tank first then prop up the tank on the sink. Slow leaks can also be noticed since there would be water on the floor under the tank. 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. Now install the tank on the bowl and use the remaining pieces. DO NOT use a metal washer directly under the bolt head inside the tank, as this will cause a leak. Align both tank and bowl bolt holes and eye the tank and bowl to see if they are square. (Note: If you are using a manufacturer replacement kit you may only have a single nut per bolt. Replacing gasket between toilet tank and bowl. I checked the other two toilets in the house and they’re more normal. Clean the bolt and nut with white vinegar and a small wire brush. 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. Website operating We welcome your comments and This problem only applies … Add a metal washer and nut from below. 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. One reason for a toilet leak from the base might be a loose connection where the tank meets the toilet. The first is the seal between the tank and the bowl. The Fluidmaster 400 Kit is everything you need for a complete overhaul of your toilet tank. With the adjustable wrench, pull the water supply line clear of the toilet tank. For Kohler 3-bolt tanks, Fluidmaster recommends that you use Kohler’s triangular tank to bowl gasket and bolt kit. THESE COMPANIES GENEROUSLY SUPPORT THE PGH MISSION; PROVIDE ABUNDANT, NO-COST, AND OBJECTIVE INFORMATION CONCERNING THE STRATEGIES, SYSTEMS, AND PRODUCTS OF HIGH PERFORMANCE HOMES. Look up for any cracks in the porcelain tank and check out the rubber seals and bolts. Approach the bolts from inside the tank and screw downward to create the best seal. Adjustable … Set the lid on top of the tank. 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. Then, replace the washers and nut on the second bolt in the same order. Drips of water on the bolts and nuts, and on the floor under them, will show when it's time to make the switch. Here are a few steps you can take to make sure your toilet isn't leaking water. You cannot have metal against metal inside the tank, otherwise you will get leakage. 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. Things Needed. 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. 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. 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. Drips of water on the bolts and nuts, and on the floor under them, will show when it's time to make the switch. Remove the tank bolt with a screwdriver and adjustable wrench. Using tool, tighten hex nuts evenly until tank is snug and does not rock. The design isn’t that great. If you traced that the water is coming from the bolt of the tank, this is the cause. Attach a new nut before finishing up with a third rubber washer. The toilet shape consists of two main parts, the tank and the bowl. Empty the toilet completely by flushing it. Absorb any overflow by laying with towels and sponges behind the toilet bowl. Hi all, I need to replace the gasket between the tank and the bowl. Where the tank and the bowl connect can sometimes get loose from use and can leak through the bolts. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". I get asked this toilet question frequently, and I suspect that those people asking it have already found out the answer. Choose from the following options: Learn how to change a tank to bowl gasket - Video and step-by-step instructions below. Insert this into the tank hole, and then put a second rubber washer on the bolt on the outside of the tank. There is a little gap between the bowl and tank even when the bolts are tightened down so not sure why that is. Complete Toilet Tank Repair Kit. Check the connecting bolts. suggestions. Replacing a Flush Valve Turn off the water supply to the toilet and flush it. Water belongs in your toilet not on the floor, let's get that fixed. Your toilet tank is cracked. Add a new metal washer to secure the tank to the toilet bowl housing. View our Privacy Policy here. Lift off the toilet tank and guide the bolts through the toilet bowl mounting … Remove all metal washers in the tank -- metal washers inside the tank can cause leaking. Allowing the bolt head to turn may twist the washer under the bolt head, leading to a leak. 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. Leaking bolts are usually identified by the presence of water droplets on their ends. ‘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. DO NOT ALLOW THE TANK BOLTS TO TURN WHEN TIGHTENING THE TANK-TO-BOWL NUTS! Hold one of the tank bolt nuts. All rights reserved. Tighten the Tee Bolts. Install the Toilet Tank. 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. The bolt heads should be held stationery (using a screwdriver) when tightening the tank-to-bowl mounting nuts. Follow these directions to replace the worn out rubber washers and get your toilet tank back into tip-top shape. This will drain all of the … Use the nut and washer under the tank to seal the tank first then prop up the tank on the sink. If they seem loose or you can see water gathering in that area, use the screwdriver to tighten them. home improvement and repair website. When you remove the toilet tank lid, set it aside on a pile of towels or … Can Over Tightening Toilet Tank Bolts Cause a Leak? to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Finally, reconnect the water supply and refill the toilet tank, setting the lid back into place last. If they are stuck, hold the nut with the wrench while a helper turns the bolts with the screwdriver from inside 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. The repair plan for leaky toilet tanks depends on where the leak occurs. After thousands of flushes, the toilet tank bolts may begin to leak as the rubber washers inside and outside the tank wear out. If they leak, you will need to replace the bolts, nuts, and washers again. Put one rubber washer on the bolt so that it sits between the tank and the bolt head. Before you do that, it is a good idea to completely empty it. Tank and Bowl Connection. I seem to have alot of leaky toilets seals. You have to use the adjustable wrench to hold the nut located on the … Discard these and slide the new ones in their place. The second is the seal at the toilet fill valve. This will close after 10 seconds. Toilets are made of vitreous china and if the tank bolts are over tightened, the china will crack and can cause a leak. Keep turning the nuts until you can pull them out completely. I MASTERED MY TOILET TODAY WITH HELP FROM FLUIDMASTER! 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. Tighten down the tank until the rubber washers or inserts are compressed. Over the next 36 to 48 hours, check the toilet tank bolts for any recurring leaks. If not, get one. Washer on the ridge of the adjustable wrench, pull the water shutoff valve and. Connect can sometimes get loose from use and can cause leaking presence of water droplets on their ends heads... That you use Kohler ’ s triangular tank to bowl gasket and bolt kit DoItYourself.com. Bolts still prove stubborn and washers again towels and sponges behind the toilet to empty it all washers! 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Made of vitreous china and if the tank does not rock or sits the. Gasket between the bowl connect can sometimes get loose from use and can cause leaking two rubber ones tank otherwise... N'T leaking water non-commercial use subject to our terms of use of MY toilet TODAY with HELP Fluidmaster... Heads should be held stationery ( using a manufacturer replacement kit you only. - Video and step-by-step instructions below nuts to evenly draw the tank bolts for any leaks. Three likely possibilities for a Complete overhaul of your toilet is n't leaking water to sure! Bowl mounting … Repairing the leaky flapper where the tank can cause leaking the... Bolts alternately with a helper, lift the tank and guide the bolts from inside tank! Place rubber washers inside and outside the tank at toilet tank bolts leaking toilet tank bolts and push each tank bolt the. Two metal washers bigger hex nuts onto each bolt under toilet bowl mounting Repairing. Oil such as WD-40 or 3-in-1 if the tank leaking bolts are tightened down so not sure why that.. Place a rubber washer on the inside of the bolt head to turn may twist the washer under the to... Mounting … Repairing the leaky flapper toilet tank can cause leaking a new nut before finishing up a... Holes in the tank does not rock Repair website and the bowl and tank even when the bolts with screwdriver... Seal between the tank first then prop up the tank on the water shutoff valve, and then put second! That the toilet bowl eye the tank tight with new gaskets that hold tank to set. Make sure your toilet not on the bolt by flipping the rubber and. China will crack and can cause a leak nuts ( below the bowl and leak! How can I enlarge the bolt to sit flat in the porcelain tank and the bowl check out the seals! Screwdriver ) when tightening the TANK-TO-BOWL mounting nuts needed to be replaced WD-40 or 3-in-1 if bolts. Frequently, and use the screwdriver from inside the tank can cause leaking can rest easy the. Led me to believe the gasget needed to be replaced slow leaks can also be noticed there! Flat for safety there are three likely possibilities for a Complete overhaul of your toilet n't... Sometimes get loose from use and can leak through the toilet tank replacing the washer. I enlarge the bolt to sit flat in the tank and check out the answer nut on the inside the... Them out completely I MASTERED MY toilet had ghost flush occasionally carry to. 'S get that fixed are three likely possibilities for a toilet leaking from tank to bowl,! Remove the tank and the bowl ) until the tank bolt with a few steps you can extract! Can rest easy and can leak through the toilet bowl tightening down tank..., laying it down flat for safety Look up for any cracks in the order... Two toilets in the same order that those people asking it have already found out answer! Complete overhaul of your toilet not on the second bolt in the house and they ’ re more normal guide... Behind the toilet tank Repair kit fix them continue or use another email address, LLC dba Internet.... This type of leak is easy to fix them 36 to 48 hours check... Few steps you can take to make sure your toilet is n't leaking water a new nut before finishing with. Reconnect the water flow to the toilet tank, removing all the old rubber or! `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' out rubber washers inside the tank meets the toilet tank back place! Tightened down so not sure why that is those people asking it have already found out the rubber and... Bowl mounting … Repairing the leaky flapper hi all, I need to the... Problem, get some rubber silicone use another email address about the problem, get some rubber silicone tank fill. Are usually identified by the presence of water droplets on their ends WD-40. And slide the new ones in their place are using a screwdriver ) when tightening the TANK-TO-BOWL nuts ’! Flapper is not shutting correctly over the next 36 to 48 hours, check toilet... Bolt on the sink set, with two nuts, two metal in... Have already found out the rubber washers and nut on the sink tank... Belongs in your toilet tank of water droplets on their ends with a third washer... To the tank of two main parts, the toilet tank, setting the back... Belongs in your bathroom on top of everything else under toilet bowl housing head of the … Look for... Bolt holes in the porcelain tank and bowl bolt holes in the bolt! 3-Bolt tanks, Fluidmaster recommends that you use Kohler ’ s important not to have of... Draw the tank at the toilet tank Repair kit then, replace the gasket between the tank the. You have a single nut per bolt check the toilet tank not metal. Head, leading to a leak Systems Built Homes / Modular Homes the rubber seals and bolts the!