Slide the metal washers onto the bolts and then add the rubber gaskets onto them. Put the bolts thread side down through the tank and into the toilet bowl rim. Carefully tighten the washers and hex nuts from the underside until a seal forms. Move from tightening one to the other repeatedly to keep the tank level.
It's likely that the issue lies with the tank-to-bowl gasket or the bolts securing them. These parts can wear out over time, causing leaks. Check if tightening the bolts or replacing the gasket solves the problem. If not, it might be worth consulting a plumber for a more in-depth assessment.
Silicone bathroom caulk tends to perform best for sealing toilets.
Normally, if you tighten the tank bolts carefully a little and evenly from side to side, you can get the tank to nearly touch the bowl. Getting it tight might risk it breaking down the road, but if you just get it to kiss, should be okay. You don't want it to be under any porcelain to porcelain pressure, though.
The purpose of the tank-to-bowl gasket, sometimes referred to as a sponge gasket, is to provide a leak-free seal between the toilet tank and bowl.
Slide the metal washers onto the bolts and then add the rubber gaskets onto them. Put the bolts thread side down through the tank and into the toilet bowl rim. Carefully tighten the washers and hex nuts from the underside until a seal forms. Move from tightening one to the other repeatedly to keep the tank level.
Over-tightening the toilet tank bolts can cause cracks in the tank because of the brittle nature of porcelain.
If the tank is wobbling, you must determine what the cause is. If you notice the bolts are loose, you can tighten the bolts. Be careful, porcelain can crack easily! If your hardware is good but the tank is still wobbling, your tank-to-bowl gasket is worn and needs to be replaced.
Flex Glue can help seal and bond cracks in the toilet bowl or tank. It's important to note that Flex Seal products are not designed for high-pressure applications, so they wouldn't be suitable for repairing the hose carrying water to the toilet. You may need to call a plumber for that one!
The toilet tank O-ring seal (also called a tank-to-bowl or mack washer) is a round rubber gasket that prevents water from leaking from the bottom of the toilet tank. The O-ring seal is located between the bottom of the toilet tank and the top of the toilet bowl.
Remove the old seal and pop on a new one. The smaller seals at the mounting bolts and the base of the inlet valve assembly may also fail and cause smaller leaks. Replace these in the same way. Tightening the bolts or mounting nut is occasionally enough to stop the leak.
The extent to which you tighten the bolts is also important. They should be snug, but not too tight.
The most common toilet leak is caused by a deteriorated flush valve (flapper) at the bottom of the toilet tank. If the flapper does not seat properly, water will leak into the toilet bowl. Often this leak will occur without being heard.
To adjust the water level, locate the screw that attaches the float to the fill valve and use a screwdriver or a set of channel locks to turn the screw about a quarter-turn counterclockwise. Make quarter-turn adjustments until the float is set to the desired water level.
It is quite common for minerals such as calcium and lime, along with debris particles such as rust to build up in the rim feed and jet holes of the toilet bowl. Over time, these deposits restrict and block water from flowing into the toilet bowl which will cause a weak or incomplete flush.
When You're in a Pinch, Turn to Petroleum Jelly. If your clean and boiled suction cups are still not sticking, try adding petroleum jelly to their suction surface. Now when you press on the suction cups, the jelly will fill any gaps between the surface and the cup, eliminating any pesky air bubbles.
How to Fix It: Most minor clogs can be resolved with a sturdy plunger. Place the plunger over the toilet's drain hole and use a firm, steady motion to create suction. This should help dislodge the blockage. For stubborn clogs, a toilet auger may be needed to break up or retrieve the debris.
The tank-to-bowl gasket creates a water tight seal between the tank and bowl. If your toilet is leaking from the tank bolts, the best fix is to replace the gasket and hardware kit. Since removing the tank from the base isn't as common, you might want to consider replacing everything.
Flappers are made of rubber, which hardens or warps after four or five years. This prevents them from creating a seal and stopping water's passage from the flush valve into the bowl.
How much does it cost to replace a toilet? Replacing a toilet costs between $275 and $480 in most cases, and the average cost sits around $375. This includes removing the old toilet and installing the new toilet.