How do I secure a toilet to the floor?

Securing a toilet firmly to the floor is an important part of any toilet installation or replacement project. A loose toilet can rock back and forth, causing leaks, cracks and even breaking away completely from the floor. Properly securing the toilet with bolts through the base will ensure a solid, long-lasting installation and prevent any unwanted movement. In this article, we will walk through the complete process for securing a toilet to the floor using bolts and a wax ring. We will cover the supplies needed, removing the old toilet, prepping the floor, installing the wax ring, bolting down the toilet and finishing up. With the right steps and supplies, you can securely install and bolt your toilet to prevent leaks and wobbling for years to come.

Supplies Needed

Before starting any toilet installation, you want to ensure you have all of the necessary supplies on hand. Here are the typical supplies needed for securing a toilet to the floor:

Tools

– Adjustable wrench
– Putty knife
– Utility knife
– Channel lock pliers
– Tubing cutter
– Hacksaw
– Tape measure
– Pencil/marker
– Safety glasses
– Rag
– Needle nose pliers

Materials

– New toilet bolts with washers and nuts
– New wax toilet ring/gasket
– Additional wax ring (optional)
– Silicone caulk and caulk gun
– Closet flange extender (if needed)
– Shims (if needed)

Having these basic tools and supplies will ensure you can remove the old toilet, prep the area, install the new wax ring, securely bolt the toilet down, and seal up the installation. Make sure everything is on hand before starting.

Step 1: Remove the Old Toilet

If you’re replacing an existing toilet, the first step is to remove the old one. Start by turning off the water supply valve behind or near the toilet and flush the toilet to empty the tank and bowl. Use a rag or sponge to soak up any remaining water in the tank or bowl.

Next, use the adjustable wrench to disconnect the supply line from the toilet tank and valve. Unscrew the bolt caps covering the bolts holding the toilet down. Remove the nuts from the bolts using the adjustable wrench or pliers. With the nuts removed, rock the bowl slightly back and forth while lifting up to break the wax seal. Carefully lift the old toilet up and off the closet flange.

Use the putty knife to scrape away and leftover wax, putty or caulk from the floor around the closet flange. Remove all debris, grime and old bolts from the area so it’s clean for the new installation. If the closet flange is damaged, broken or not securely fastened, it will need to be repaired or replaced before installing the new toilet.

Step 2: Prepare the Floor Around the Closet Flange

With the old toilet removed, inspect the closet flange and surrounding floor. The closet flange is the pipe flange protruding from the floor that the toilet mounts on top of. Make sure it is level, securely fastened to the floor, and not damaged or broken.

Here are some things to check:

• Make sure there are no gaps, cracks or loose pieces around the closet flange.
• Check that the mounting bolts slots are aligned vertically.
• Confirm the flange height is appropriate and level with the finished floor. It should be about 1/4 inch above the floor.
• If the flange is loose, use a screwdriver to tighten the mounting screws into the subfloor.

If the closet flange needs to be repaired or modified, this should be addressed before moving forward with the installation.

Once the closet flange checks out, use a utility knife to carefully scrape and smooth out the surrounding flooring and subfloor. Remove any protruding object or debris. Fill any gaps or holes with hydraulic cement. The floor around the flange should be smooth and level to create a good seal with the wax ring.

Step 3: Install the New Toilet Wax Ring

With the floor prepped, you’re ready to install the new wax ring. The wax ring creates a tight, waterproof seal between the toilet and closet flange to prevent leaks.

Start by lightly coating the bottom of the toilet base (not the bowl) with a thin layer of plumbers putty. This isn’t required, but can help create a more watertight seal.

Next, turn the toilet on its side and firmly press the new wax ring onto the circular outlet at the base of the toilet. Make sure it is fully seated and level all the way around. The tapered end of the ring should face away from the toilet.

Some additional tips when installing the wax ring:

• Don’t separate or break the ring once it’s removed from packaging.
• If replacing an old toilet, use a new ring rather than reusing the old one.
• Consider using an extra-thick ring or double-stacking two rings for additional leak protection.
• Store wax rings in a cool place until use to prevent flattening.

With the wax ring securely installed on the toilet base, you’re ready to set the bowl onto the flange.

Step 4: Set the Toilet and Insert Bolts

Now you can finally set the toilet bowl onto the closet flange:

1. Carefully set the toilet straight down over the flange, with the bowl facing the correct direction. Don’t slide it around as this may break the wax seal.
2. Use the putty knife to evenly distribute your body weight and press down on the toilet. This will set it into the wax ring and create a tight seal.
3. Rock the toilet slightly side-to-side and back and forth to fully imprint it into the wax ring.
4. Check that the base is flat on the floor all the way around.

With the bowl firmly set, insert the new toilet bolts into the mounting slots on opposite sides of the flange. Put the washers and nut onto the bolts with just a few threads sticking through the top.

Step 5: Securely Tighten the Toilet Bolts

Next, you can finish securing the toilet by tightening down the bolts through the base.

1. Use the wrench or pliers to tighten the nuts 2-3 turns past hand tight.
2. Alternate back and forth between bolts, tightening a little at a time until snug.
3. Don’t overtighten! Overtightening can crack the porcelain.
4. The final tightness should lightly compress the washer while keeping the base snug to the floor.
5. Insert the bolt caps over each bolt head.

With the bolts tightened down, the toilet is now firmly secured to the floor!

Step 6: Reconnect the Water Supply

The last step is to reconnect the water supply line to the toilet tank.

1. Make sure the existing water supply valve functions properly before connecting the new line.
2. Attach the new supply line from the valve to the toilet fill valve using the proper compression nut and cone washer.
3. Turn on the supply valve and check for any leaks.
4. Flush the toilet several times and check for proper operation.

If any leaks are detected, tighten connections or replace washers as needed. Some additional tips:

• Avoid overtightening connections.
• Use tubing cutter to cut supply line to proper length.
• Ensure the supply valve is easily accessible for future maintenance.

Once all connections are leak-free, the installation is complete!

Conclusion

Securing a toilet properly with bolts forms a leak-proof seal and prevents rocking or breakage. With the right steps, you can achieve a professional and long-lasting toilet installation in your home. The key steps include:

• Removing the old toilet and cleaning the floor area.
• Checking the closet flange and prepping the surrounding floor.
• Installing a new wax seal.
• Setting the toilet and inserting bolts.
• Tightly securing the bolts through the base.
• Reconnecting the water supply line.

Taking your time and using the proper tools and materials will lead to success. And remember – don’t overtighten the bolts or connections to avoid cracking and leaks. Your securely installed toilet will now function properly and stably for years before needing to be re-bolted.