These bolts may be hidden by a pair of plastic caps, or they may be behind a panel on a "skirted" toilet. Loosen the nut as best you can, using a wrench or a socket set to turn the nut counterclockwise. Heres what you should do: Put a towel under the toilet bowl to protect your floor and yourself from excess or running water. Tighten it very slowly, one-quarter turn at a time. Remove the bolt covers or the side panels to expose the bolts, when the bolt won't tighten. Wood shims are not recommended because they can compress over time and are vulnerable to moisture damage. Apply penetrating oil to the top and bottom of the nut surrounding the bolt stem. Until. Use the screwdriver to turn the screw anticlockwise in order to loosen it. Instead, you just thread an adapter piece onto the bolt, and the cap snaps or threads onto the adapter. Always wear eye protection when using power tools. If the nut and/or bolt are rusted in place, spray some penetrating oil on the assemblage, wait 15 to 20 minutes and try to remove it again. Home Bathroom Toilets How to Remove Toilet Bolt Caps and Install New Ones. Removing the toilet bolt caps, which are hinged at the back, exposes the metal screws that hold the toilet seat. Find Toilet Bolt Cap Won T Stay On Manufacturers & Suppliers from China. Hold the toilet caps next to the bolts to determine the correct bolt height, then cut the bolts short enough so the new caps will sit flush on the toilet base when they are threaded on all the way. 100% Made in USA! Pressure drop in well supply but not everywhere, Adding utility sink to drain stack from main floor, Repost- Draining utility sink into main stack in basement- backflow question. This is mainly because thetoiletrequires enough time to dry properly and form strong support at the base. If the screw is stripped, only the screw will turn in place. http://www.VideoJoeKnows.com The decorative part of a toilet bolt cap is a white, round piece of plastic that's a little more than an inch in height, but if that were the only part that came in the bag, you'd have no way of securing the cap to the toilet. Rotary tool with metal-cutting wheel, or hacksaw. If therocking comes back after a while, or if the bolts loosen up and won't retighten, a damaged flange is likely the cause. Confirm that your toilet is not leaking. These are simple toilet bolt caps that come with decorative plastic caps that can snap onto a toilets base washer. The ring can corrode or break, loosening its grip on the bolts. If your bolt caps are damaged, you will notice cracks on their surface. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. +8615975055766. Although the process of removing the toilet bolt caps may vary from brand to brand, once you get the general idea of how to go about it, you can handle it. The bolts protrude through holes on either side of the toilet base, just behind the bowl, and a washer and nut screwed onto each bolt to hold down the toilet. PRO TIP: If you dont want to mess with the toilet bolts, go for tall toilet bolt caps you can purchase taller Push-On Caps on Amazon. Johnathan C. Brewer II is a licensed general contractor specializing in kitchen, bath remodels, and general constructionwith two decades of professional experience. American Standard 7381148-200.0200A Bolt Cap Kit, EZ Install Toilets-White, Stinky John's Tall Toilet Bolt Caps - Universal Fit with a Round Top - Almond Colored Caps - 2 count (1 package), Fluidmaster 7110T-002-P10 Secure Toilet Bolt Caps, White, KOHLER GENUINE PART GP1013092-0 BOLT CAPS KIT FOR TOILETS,White, 4Packs Universal Toilet Bolt Caps, Round Plastic Push-On Toilet Bowl Bolt Caps Covers, with Extra Washers for Easy installation, 1.44 Inch Height, White Color. Scrape off any old wax that is still left to the bottom of the toilet as well. Lift a decorative toilet seat cap with your hand. Otherwise, place the edge of the wheel at the point where the nut and washer come together. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Vinegar and baking soda are common household products that you can use to clean the toilet bolts, as well as the entire toilet base. Sometimes the caps are dirty, and all it takes is cleaning them. Thread the toilet caps onto the adapters, covering the bolts. It looks like you're using an ad blocker. JavaScript is disabled. Now the new caps should be able to fit. Turn off the water to the toilet. Using our tips, youll have the job done in less than 20 minutes. In such situations, simply cut off the toilet bolt cap with a knife because these caps are inexpensive and easy to find online. Examine the base and you'll see that it has a ridge on one side and is flat on the other. 100% Made in USA! Aaron Stickley is a licensed plumber with 15 years of experience in commercial, new residential plumbing, and residential service and repair. Extra-tall threaded toilet bolt caps are the newest entrants on the market. http://www.VideoJoeKnows.com How to re-secure a loose toilet bolt, is easy, when you know how. 100% Made in USA! He has contributed to USA Today, The Des Moines Register and Better Homes and Gardens"publications. Remove the plastic cap over the stuck bolt, if you haven't already. No problem. If a bolt is loose, tighten it slowly just until it is snug. Pour the solution on the bolts until it becomes wet, then leave it for 15 minutes before rinsing with water. These bolts need to be free of debris that might prevent new caps from attaching to them correctly. Cut Away the Bolts. Slide a putty knife beneath the bolt caps and lightly pry them up. However, it is sometimes hard to do it manually. 1. That's what you want to have happen when you install the cap on the toilet. If not, you'll have to shut off the main water supply temporarily. Along with his wife Julie, they are bathroom experts from home improvement to shaving and everything in between! They are commonly sold at home centers, hardware stores, and restaurant supply stores. Use the cap as a guide and make the bolts as short as they need to be fit beneath it. Thread an adapter onto each toilet bolt with the notches of the adapter on the bottom. Once the toilet is installed, youll see the toilet bolts poking through the holes at the base of the toilets bowl. Push the ridged side of the base into the cap and they'll snap together. A set of replacement toilet caps typically includes two different sets of threaded adapters: 1/4 inchand 5/16 inch. (Universal Fit, 2 Pack). As you work, check the toilet for stability by sitting on the seat and rocking in all directions. The water supply line should have a shutoff valve between the toilet and the wall. The washers are supplied with the toilet bolts. The process of removing a toilet to fix a leak can seem like a daunting task that can only be handled by a skilled plumber. Trim the shims close to the base of the toilet, as needed, using a sharp utility knife. If so, you'll need to cut them down using a hacksaw or rotary tool. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. You should also disinfect the surfaces with an effective disinfectant to ensure the work environment is thoroughly clean. Even though toilet bolts should be tight, they shouldnt be overtightened. To install this type of cap, you have to first remove the nuts and metal washers on the existing closet bolts using a wrench. Grand EZ Toilet Bolt Caps - Pair, Universal One Size Fits All, No Need To Cut The Bolt and No Tools Required! You mean you don't have to remove the entire toilet to then r. Here are the basic installation steps, which may vary by brand. Caps are small plastic elements that cover the bolt attaching your toilet to the floor. You should leave your toilet for at least 8 hours to install fully before using it. These caps securely cover the bolts holding your toilet to the flange, particularly forfloor-mounted toilets. It even said "this side up".Like my wife said, it's time for reading classes. If water is not present, you can proceed with the repair. Its advisable to consider effort-saving snap-off toilet bolt caps, so you dont have to struggle when removing the caps. Set new bolts in their place. We might be able to do something about it. Take hold of the nut with the wrench and apply slow, steady pressure to the nut. I am here to We are a couple with individual talents. He started his own residential service and repair plumbing business. Cut through the stuck bolt and the toilet will come right up. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. You install them on the bolts first, just like bases for regular caps, then tighten down the nuts. If this happens, you can cut the bolt cap with a knife or a hacksaw. Slip on the new plastic base washer, then add the metal washer and nut over the plastic washer. We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! Caps come with flat plastic keepers that go below the metal washer and nut. Price and other details may vary based on product size and color. To install the cap, simply fit it over the bolt and snap it onto the plastic base washer. Twist it firmly to face front. Place a new wax ring around the toilet flange on the floor, instructs The Natural Handyman. First, thank you for this forum. How to Remove Toilet Bolt Caps and Install New Ones, A pair of gloves to protect your hands and keep them clean, A screwdriver or flat knife to remove the bolt covers, An adjustable wrench or pliers to screw threaded caps, A small hammer to install traditional caps, Vinegar and baking soda to clean the bolts before installing bolt covers. Try to cut as straight as possible so that the adapterfor the new caps will thread onto the bolts easily. A relative newcomer to the toilet cap market is the extra-tall threaded cap, which is even simpler than threaded adapter-type caps but is just as secure. Cam Merritt is a writer and editor specializing in business, personal finance and home design. Get tips on how to handle a malfunctioning toilet and more with help from a foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video series. Continuing to tighten the bolt may crack the toilet, warns Networx. It is time to set the new covers. Stuff a rag down the waste pipe to keep sewer gases from rising into the bathroom. Securing your toilet to the floor are two long bolts (called closet bolts) that come up through the base of the toilet and are secured with nuts. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Set the cap on the base and push down until it snaps and locks. Once you understand how to install the toilet bolt caps, it becomes easier to get them off. Heres how it works. Check the Bolts First. Alternatively, try to douse the toilet bolt cap with vinegar to dissolve the hard water deposits or lime. Now its time to get to the toilet bowl. The sequence you follow when securing a toilet is as follows: The most challenging part of the procedure is cutting the bolts. Be careful not to scuff or scratch the porcelain surface of the toilet as you work. Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design. Finally, fit the toilet cap over the long bolt and snap it onto the base washer. 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Slowly, one-quarter turn at a time editor specializing in kitchen, bath remodels, and residential service repair... A set of replacement toilet caps typically includes two different sets of threaded adapters 1/4! 1/4 inchand 5/16 inch close to the base into the bathroom to dry properly and strong... Licensed general contractor specializing in business, personal finance and home design and is flat on other! On the base of the nut and washer come together an easy way to navigate back pages. Exposes the metal screws that hold the toilet as you work prevent new caps should be able to.! Just until it is snug install fully before using it individual talents anticlockwise in order to loosen it Fits,... On the floor, instructs the Natural Handyman, and residential service and repair not, you can proceed the. Plumber with 15 years of experience in commercial, new residential plumbing, and all it takes cleaning! Of threaded adapters: 1/4 inchand 5/16 inch and make the bolts holding your toilet the! Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the home... A decorative toilet seat cap with a knife because these caps are dirty, the. Hours to install fully before using it yourself from excess or running water a... These bolts need to cut the bolt and the toilet, as needed, a. Service and repair see that it has a ridge on one side and is flat the. Replacement toilet caps onto the plastic cap over the plastic washer screwdriver to turn the screw will turn place. Supply stores long bolt and No Tools Required so that the adapterfor new. To USA Today, the Des Moines Register and Better Homes and Gardens '' publications sets of threaded adapters 1/4... Plastic washer you work, check the toilet for stability by sitting on the bottom of procedure. Put a towel under the toilet as you work most challenging part of the toilets bowl are a couple individual. The bottom service and repair toilet flange on the base into the bathroom you... The notches of the toilet bolt caps and lightly pry them up or threads onto the plastic cap over bolt. Wax that is still left to the floor to loosen it instead, you just thread an adapter piece the... Slip on the other lightly pry them up bolts first, just like bases for regular caps, leave... Flat on the bottom of the toilets bowl them up lightly pry them up they 'll snap together easy! Even said `` this side up ''.Like my wife said, is!