Over time flushing your toilet, its tank bolts might start to leak as the rubber washers used in it would wear out. Water leaks on the bolts and nuts, as well as on the floor underneath them, would show you that the toilet tank bolts need new washers. This means that you should replace the bolts, and possibly the nuts and washers, given that they are corroded or rusted. Here are steps you can follow to replace these components:
1. Drain The Toilet Tank Of Remaining Water.
First, you have to make sure you have cut the water supply to the toilet by shut off the valve that is located behind the toilet bowl. Empty the bowl completely by flushing the toilet, and using the adjustable wrench, pull clear the water supply line of the tank. You can get rid of the remaining water in the bowl by absorbing it with a sponge or a towel.
2. Remove The Lid Of The Tank.
When you remove the toilet tank lid, set it aside on a pile of towels or blankets and leave room for the tank.
3. Remove The Bolts.
Using an adjustable wrench, loosen the nuts from the bolts, and if they are stuck, you can get a helper to turn the bolts with the screwdriver from inside the tank, while you are holding the nut with the wrench. To make the job easier, you can apply some penetrating oil to loosen the nuts from the bolts and release them from the bowl’s housing.
4. Lift The Tank Off And Set It On a Padded Surface.
When the tank is heavy, it is best to get someone to help you with lifting the tank straight up and carrying it to the padded surface. Lay it down flat for safety.
5. Replace The Old Washers.
After completing the above-mentioned steps, extract the bolts from the toilet tank, making sure that you remove all the old rubber washers. Attach the new rubber washers following these steps:
- Put one rubber washer on the bolt directly under the bolt head.
- Insert the bolt into the tank bolt hole.
- Put on the second rubber washer on the bolt on the outside of the tank.
- Attach a new the bolt nut to the bolt and add the third rubber washer.
- Add a new metal washer to secure the tank to the toilet bowl housing.
- Replace the washers and nut on the second bolt in the same order.
6. Re-Install The Toilet Tank And Its Refill.
Raise the tank back over the bowl housing and reset the central tank gasket and bolts correctly. Fasten the bolts and then check that the tank is connected properly, staying perpendicular to the housing of the bowl. Reconnect and turn the water supply back on to refill the tank, ensuring that the lid is put back into place.
After some time you have completed the task, check the bolts for leaks, and if there is any, you might need to perform the task once again.
By following these simple steps, you will be able to fix leaking tank bolts. But if you see these solutions not working, it might be high time to tap on the expertise of the professionals.
