Sunday projects...

[James48843]

So this morning my spouse announced the toilet is leaking.

Got in and found the leak around the base.

Needs a new wax ring ( I say to myself.)

Carefully drain the toilet, and take off the supply line (might as well change it while I got to work on it, no? )

Run to the nearby Lowes, and get a new wax ring, and a new supply line.

Come home- install the new supply line- perfect!

Got the new ring on, and the toilet set back down top of it. It lines up beautifully the first try. .

 

[James48843]

Everything looks good and lined up.

Got the first bolt all back in place. Nut goes on, and I finger tighten it perfectly-

and try to get the nut on the second bolt- the LAST thing I have to do before it's done.

And the second nut won't go on the bolt.

 

[James48843]

Jiggle it.

Try to align it.

Spin the nut carefully- NO JOY.

Nuts.

I'm one nut away from finishing the job- and it's not working.

I may have to start all over again and take the sucker apart.

I hate days like this.

 

[nnuut]

Try filing around the end of the stud, not to much though. If that don't work get another nnuut or use a tap of the same size to clean up the threads in the nut. I know you already know this stuff but you know how much I like to post.

 

[James48843]

Try filing around the end of the stud, not to much though. If that don't work get another nnuut or use a tap of the same size to clean up the threads in the nut. I know you already know this stuff but you know how much I like to post.

Already tried another nnuut. No joy.

Don't have a tap.

Still thinking about next move......

 

[nnuut]

Already tried another nnuut. No joy.

Don't have a tap.

Still thinking about next move......

Try the file, about 1/32 of an inch all the way around angled towards the center of the stud right on the end. Is it the right size?

 

[James48843]

Try the file, about 1/32 of an inch all the way around angled towards the center of the stud right on the end. Is it the right size?

I'll give it a shot.

nothing to lose.

 

[PessOptimist]

My 2 cents - I had the exact same problem a while back. The nuts were nylon fwiw. The solution was to get on my back and stick my head under there (yuck, I know, no matter how clean you keep the bathroom) so I had a really good almost straight on view of the stud. Turns out that no matter what my hands/eyes were telling me when viewing things from the side, I wasn't putting the nut on straight. Bifocals!

Not implying you are as uncoordinated as me.:worried:

Also try loosening the first nut a little and gently rocking the tank to the side of the second problematic stud while trying to start the nut.

Don't you just love all us armchair experts?

 

[James48843]

Filing- Failed.

Ended up pulling the whole $#&5 thing off again, going BACK to Lowes for another wax ring, and a set of floor bolts.

Then repeat the whole installation procedure over again.

First nut slips on, no problem.

New nut and new bolt for the second one- (Had to maneuver a bit, because this one was longer than the last, and I had to jockey it just right before lowering over it. ) On.

Yeh. Start to finger turn the nuts on both sides down.

Looking --A ---NUMBER ONE.

Now- time to torque it down to the proper torque spec.

The on-line website I am reading says- be careful- don't torque too much.

So I am being careful- only perhaps 10 pounds of turning, and still not getting a lot of resistance. thinking I just have to torque a little more..and I'll be done.

So here I am- wax ring fixed. Second time on and off with the nuts, back and the very final spot....- torquing down the final nut -

I gently torque, and torque, and think I am ALMOST there, until....

CRACKKKKKKSNAAP....


(that's the sound that porcelain makes when you crank too tight and it shatters...)

 

[James48843]

Note to fellow investors.

Buy LOWES stock.

They are selling a lot today.

New "American Standard" toilet= $149 + tax.

 

[James48843]

Note to guys-

I am FLUSH with success now.

THREE trips to LOWES.

TWO wax rings.

One new American Standard Toilet.

and a partridge in a pear tree later....Everything works.

Found the best "how to" website today.

http://montanajones.blogspot.com/2007/10/how-to-replace-wax-ring-on-toilet.html

An extract:

A Google search for "fix a leaky toilet wax ring" narrows your search to 3,660 results. Start reading.

Most of these how to fix stuff websites are absolute crap. Your best instructions will come from websites catering to women.



The masculine fixit websites will just say "replace the wax ring" and expect your experience with testosterone and tools to intuitively guide you through the process. The women's web sites will give you the step by step instructions. If it offends your masculinity to use a women's guide to learn how to fix things then you have several options.

• Send the lady of the house out with the credit card and instructions not to return for several hours. Use the privacy to read whatever website you need to.
• Ask the women to help out by Googling the problem for you. Pretend to tolerate the results she finds.
• Suck it up like a man, admit that you don't know sh#& about repairing a toilet and get your instructions from the pink website.

This guy is correct.

The best "how to" websites are pink.

Thanks ladies.

 

[WorkFE]

Note to self: First thing monday, double my exposure to Lowes and HD.
Reason: New episodes of "This Old House" are airing.

Sorry James could not help myself. :nuts:
I once used PVC glue on the PVC pipe under my sink. No one told me it was not for the threaded connections. I do charity work for elderly home owners who can't afford to hire a professional. SHHH don't tell anybody.

 

[nnuut]

WOW James sorry about the Nut fix not working, and really sorry about the toilet breaking, the same thing happened to me one time and I'm happy there were no children in the room when it happened, dirty frackenwackersmudgesmusser!! I've had nightmares about toilet flanges. Everything is a go now though, good work.

 

[Buster]

Sounds like a pretty crappy job if you ask me...

Note: Always buy two wax rings (with Flange) and a set of NEW Jonny Bolts and nuts before changing out a turdlet.

 

[PessOptimist]

James

First of all, sorry for not reading the post carefully or for reading in to it what I thought I saw. I thought you were fixing a leak at the tank bottom.

Just so you know I am still only 95% idiot and not 100%.

Glad you got it fixed finally.

I cannot help myself - based on other posts - next time just hire a union plumber.

On a more serious note, Friday I used my credit card at Lowes and three other places. Friday afternoon I got a fraud call from the credit card company, someone using the number for purchases over the phone. Apparently they weren't smart enough to write down the correct expiration date which triggered the first call.

More to that story elsewhere.

I realize, it's a different Lowe's and am not pointing fingers. Just a heads up to monitor your credit card transactions. Which I am sure you do.

Note to self: don't give unsolicited advice on home repairs

regards

PO

 

[Show-me]

You did good James!!!

 

[grandma]

You did good James!!!

I am in agreement with Show-me !

Now, I have something that may help you feel better about your experience: I had a toilet professionally replaced this past summer. After several days of utilizing a `rocking toilet' I called the plumber back. He had to take it apart, redo the setting of it - his hired-help had failed to do something that apparently was considered very simple - he simply had omitted whatever step that was, or maybe he did it backwards, I don't recall.
Sad to say, I know that misstep cost that fellow an hour's pay.