On Apr 3, 10:52*am, (JJ) wrote:
It's about time for me to replace the bolts holding the toilet tank to
the bowl. * This prompts me to ask which would be better *brass/bronze
or stainless?

Also, it seems one of the studs/anchors for the bowl to the floor has
also snapped (I don't recollect any particularly violent/stressful
session that may have caused this)

I was probably going to use a stainless replacement stud (probably
change both sides while I am at it - famous last words) and epoxy
anchor "grout."

Any advice/suggestions/cautions?

Thanks

I had this issue with mine, a visit to HD showed what had changed in
the 50 years or so since granddaddy was a plumber. I ended up going
with stainless bolts, replaced the old cruddy metal anchor ring with a
fiberglass unit and replaced the wax bowl seal with a nifty plastic/
neoprene snoot jobbie. This last actually extends down into the pipe,
and has giant O-ring seals, so unless there's a total reversal of
normal sewer flow, nothing is going to leak out. It'll also tolerate
vibration and movement better than the wax. Replacing the old copper
supply line and ballcock valve with a ball valve shutoff, a reinforced
plastic flex line and a new plastic float unit finished it all up. No
leaks and the water bill went way down. If you've gotta tear it
apart, might as well do the complete number on it. Put in new gaskets
and seals on the tank to lower unit, too. Figure I spent maybe $30 on
the works, that was 7-8 years back.

Everything underneath there had been soaked because whoever replaced
the works before didn't even bother with hold-down bolts. Just
caulked the stool to the floor and let nature take its course. Talked
to the supposedly "experienced" plumbing dept. guy at HD, said a lot
of new local construction is done that way, by the time it leaks and
is noticed, the construction company has declared bankruptcy and the
homeowners get to replace the floor AND all the plumbing bits. Said it
can last that way up to 5 years if they're lucky. The plumbing
inspectors aren't getting the job done there, either paid off or
goofing off.

The stainless bolts and bronze nuts are still shiny so far and no
leaks. Stool is steady as a rock, it wasn't before.

Stan