Toilet tank bolts should be tightened with care because porcelain toilets are brittle. Hand-tighten the tank bolt nuts, then quarter-turn each nut with a wrench. Check to see if the tank wobbles after you’ve completed this step.
Tighten the bolts a little if the tank appears to be loose or is not sealing water within. To avoid differential tension that could shatter your toilet, ensure that all tank bolts are tightened evenly.
Observe the tank for 24 hours after it’s tight. If it leaks, loosens the nuts gently until the leak stops.
Is It Possible for Toilet Tank Bolts To Be Too Tight?
Toilet bolts that are over-tightened will break the toilet bowl to which it is attached. This is the case because toilets are composed of porcelain, which is extremely hard but prone to cracking. Because porcelain does not bend or flex, an overtightened bolt will crack it. If this happens, you’ll have to buy a new part to replace the cracked one.
- The toilet bowl or tank will crack if the tank bolts are overtightened.
- Ceramic is used in toilets because it does not flex. It will crack if it is overworked.
- Work slowly and use a little wrench.
Working carefully with little tools when tightening tank bolts is the finest approach. If you use a large wrench, you may unintentionally apply too much torque to the toilet bolts. For this delicate procedure, use a little socket wrench. (Read How Soon Can You Grout After Laying Tile)
Tightening Toilet Tank Bolts: 7 Tips
With just a screwdriver and an adjustable small wrench, you can quickly tighten the bolts on your toilet flange. Don’t be put off by accounts of people cracking toilet tanks during residential installations. If you follow the instructions below, you’ll be able to finish your project with a functional, crack-free toilet.
1. Rubber Washers should be used
Rubber washers are included in most toilet tank bolt kits sold in stores and online, but you may need a few extras. Use a rubber washer in the middle of porcelain and the metal washer wherever a metal, flat washer, or plastic washer would be forced on it when the bolt is tightened.
Rubber washers are required for this system, both inside the tank and on the underside of the bowl flange, which joins the tank to the bowl. While tightening, this will protect your toilet bowl. As you tighten the screws, the rubber washers will flex slightly, absorbing the strain and protecting your toilet from splitting.
2. Hand-Tighten and Quarter-Turn
Put the nuts onto the toilet bowl bolts after the washers are in place. Tighten the nuts with your fingers only. Before continuing, make sure to do this to all of the tank bolts. There are two tank bolts on a toilet and three on others.
Tighten each nut a turn with an adjustable wrench or socket wrench after you’ve tightened them by hand. Tightening the wrench on the nut and twisting it 90 degrees results in a quarter turn. Consider your wrench handle as a clock’s hour hand if it helps. From 6 to 9 o’clock, turn the wrench handle. (Learn How To Find Pipes Behind Walls)
3. Bolts don’t have to be incredibly tight to work.
Hand-tightening and a quarter-turn are sometimes all that’s required. It’s vital to remember that the toilet tank isn’t designed to support a lot of weight. The tank-to-bowl bolts are just there to keep the rubber seal between the tank and the bowl tight and leak-proof.
One of the most typical toilet installation blunders is believing that the tighter the bolt, the better. Avoid thinking in this manner. Flange bolts that are tight enough to accomplish the job without placing stress on the ceramic toilet tank or foundation are required.
4. Before tightening any farther, check for wobble.
Use your hand to examine how secure the tank is to the base before tightening your bolts beyond the hand-tighten and quarter-turn. You don’t need to tighten anymore at this point if there is no wobble. You’ll need to tighten the tank even more if it wobbles.
After the initial quarter turn, tighten the toilet bolt in gradual increments. Consider progressively tightening that wrench handle from 6 to 7 o’clock.
5. Bolts should be tightened evenly.
Working in small increments and evenly tightening each bolt equally is critical while tightening toilet tank bolts. After slightly tightening one bolt, go ahead and tighten the others to the same degree. It takes a long time to tighten each bolt on sides evenly, a little at a time, but the result is a level toilet tank that won’t wobble.
Tighten bolts evenly in modest increments at all times. If you overtighten one bolt, you risk shattering your toilet or causing a leaky seal between the tank and the bowl.
6. Rubber Washers should be inspected.
As you tighten the bolt head, look at the rubber washers inside, outside, and bottom of the tank. Stop tightening when the rubber washers on either side begin to flatten, crush, or deform. If you continue to twist the bolts past this point, your toilet will crack.
In many circumstances, a watertight double seal between the toilet tank and bowl can be achieved without overtightening to the point where the rubber washers deform. If the washers begin to squish beneath the bolts’ pressure, it’s a sign that you’ve tightened the bolts to their maximum safe torque.
7. Keep an eye out for leaks.
Your task is usually done once you’ve evenly tightened the mounting bolts to establish a firm, wobble-free seal. Over the next 24 hours, though, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for toilet tank leaks and see a drain pipe. It’s usually a symptom of a leaking toilet if water is gathering on the bathroom floor around the bathroom at this time.
Tighten the nuts that hold the tank to the bowl if your toilet is leaking. Then, clean up any leaking water and wait 24 hours to see what happens. Your job is finished once the toilet stops leaking and when there is still a water supply.
Toilet tank bolts indeed do not need to be over-tightened because they will damage the toilet bowl. over-tightening may result in cracking the porcelain and leakage.
We have provided seven tips for you to follow on how to tighten toilet tank bolts. You have to follow the steps because you’ll always have a secure, leak-free toilet tank.
