[[email protected]]

So I changed the wax ring on a toilet that overflowed. Did a real nice
clean-up job. Trying to position a toilet over the bolts by yourself
is like trying to (pardon the vulgarism) pop a zit on your back. I
tried using duct tape to position the bolts straight, so I could plop
the toilet over them. Didn't work. I ended up bending one of the
bolts, and now I can't get the nut/washer combo to secure the terlet to
the floor tightly.

Does anyone have any trick on how to replace toilets if you're working
alone?

Thanks, always.

[RayV]

wrote:
So I changed the wax ring on a toilet that overflowed. Did a real nice
clean-up job. Trying to position a toilet over the bolts by yourself
is like trying to (pardon the vulgarism) pop a zit on your back. I
tried using duct tape to position the bolts straight, so I could plop
the toilet over them. Didn't work. I ended up bending one of the
bolts, and now I can't get the nut/washer combo to secure the terlet to
the floor tightly.

Does anyone have any trick on how to replace toilets if you're working
alone?

Thanks, always.

You could try removing the tank from the base to lighten the toilet,
all it takes is removing the two bolts holding it on. It they appear
rusted I wouldn't try it.

[[email protected]]

I use some of the old wax to position the bolts EXACTLY straight up.
Then set the toilet just a bit tilted sideways to get the first bolt
on, then tilt it sideways slowly and straight to grab the second one. I
usually use a wax ring and a wax ring extention. This allow the toilet
to sit higher and you can slowly ease it into place. The extra wax
isn't a big deal, and alot of toilets need it anyways. If all else
fails, take off the tank (on two piece toilets and only two bolts)
because handling just the bottom half is alot easier....


wrote:
So I changed the wax ring on a toilet that overflowed. Did a real nice
clean-up job. Trying to position a toilet over the bolts by yourself
is like trying to (pardon the vulgarism) pop a zit on your back. I
tried using duct tape to position the bolts straight, so I could plop
the toilet over them. Didn't work. I ended up bending one of the
bolts, and now I can't get the nut/washer combo to secure the terlet to
the floor tightly.

Does anyone have any trick on how to replace toilets if you're working
alone?

Thanks, always.

[The Reverend Natural Light]

Just make sure you don't replace that one-man toilet with a two-man
toilet. Ick.


-rev

[peter]

wrote in message
oups.com...
So I changed the wax ring on a toilet that overflowed. Did a real nice
clean-up job. Trying to position a toilet over the bolts by yourself
is like trying to (pardon the vulgarism) pop a zit on your back. I
tried using duct tape to position the bolts straight, so I could plop
the toilet over them. Didn't work. I ended up bending one of the
bolts, and now I can't get the nut/washer combo to secure the terlet to
the floor tightly.

Does anyone have any trick on how to replace toilets if you're working
alone?

put two pieces of 2x4 down around the bolts and put the toilet on the 2x4
then line up the bolt and the toilet and pull out the 2x4 one at a time
if this is still difficult, tie a string on the tip of the bolt and thread
it through the toilet so you can pull on the string to straighten the bolt

[Charlie Bress]

I'll go with the others and remove tank.
If you do, buy replacement bolts, nuts etc.
You should find a kit that includes all the new parts
It is cheap insurance.

Charlie

wrote in message
oups.com...
So I changed the wax ring on a toilet that overflowed. Did a real nice
clean-up job. Trying to position a toilet over the bolts by yourself
is like trying to (pardon the vulgarism) pop a zit on your back. I
tried using duct tape to position the bolts straight, so I could plop
the toilet over them. Didn't work. I ended up bending one of the
bolts, and now I can't get the nut/washer combo to secure the terlet to
the floor tightly.

Does anyone have any trick on how to replace toilets if you're working
alone?

Thanks, always.

[[email protected]]

"peter" in news:kapxg.7946$V74.7652@trnddc08:

wrote in message
oups.com...
So I changed the wax ring on a toilet that overflowed. Did a real
nice clean-up job. Trying to position a toilet over the bolts by
yourself is like trying to (pardon the vulgarism) pop a zit on your
back. I tried using duct tape to position the bolts straight, so I
could plop the toilet over them. Didn't work. I ended up bending
one of the bolts, and now I can't get the nut/washer combo to secure
the terlet to the floor tightly.

Does anyone have any trick on how to replace toilets if you're
working alone?

put two pieces of 2x4 down around the bolts and put the toilet on the
2x4 then line up the bolt and the toilet and pull out the 2x4 one at a
time if this is still difficult, tie a string on the tip of the bolt
and thread it through the toilet so you can pull on the string to
straighten the bolt

yes, temp prop/spacers while aligning base over bolts.

also useful for similars situations:

cut slot in piece of plastic like cottage cheeeses lid. those help hold boltta temp. some
people ppl attach bolt to flange with a nut (buy a pair of stainless nuts in 10-24 or whatever
flange bolt threads are)

i've already assumed you'd separated tank from base. unless neweish, the spongey
washer below flush assembly (the big hole in center of tank) may be brittle and will leak
when flushing.

do'nt use any steel parts (except perhaps the washers)

some hardware stores still sell crappy brass "finish" tank bolts. even more sell brass tank
bolts (good) but the kit includes plain steel nuts. (i prescribe only *one* baseball bat to
noggin for *these* store buyers)

common chrome/(nickel?) plated brass or stainless are not magnetic. so take magnetic tip
screwdriver or fridge magnet to store to detect the crappy plain steel parts.

[MDT at Paragon Home Inspections, LLC]

BTW, once you finally do get the toilet set do not caulk around the
base of the toilet, which 1) makes it difficult to detect leaks and 2)
channels leaks UNDER the floor covering - both of which make it likely
the future leaks (which WILL happen) will do greater damage.

Michael Thomas
Paragon Home Inspection, LLC
mdt@paragoninspectsDOTcom
847-475-5668

[[email protected]]

All I have to say for all the great suggestions is TANKS a lot.

[[email protected]]

Use a gob of flange wax to hold the bolts upright.
wrote:
So I changed the wax ring on a toilet that overflowed. Did a real nice
clean-up job. Trying to position a toilet over the bolts by yourself
is like trying to (pardon the vulgarism) pop a zit on your back. I
tried using duct tape to position the bolts straight, so I could plop
the toilet over them. Didn't work. I ended up bending one of the
bolts, and now I can't get the nut/washer combo to secure the terlet to
the floor tightly.

Does anyone have any trick on how to replace toilets if you're working
alone?

Thanks, always.