What am I doing wrong with this toilet install?

[Rick Lee]

It was a pretty easy job, but it just doesn't feel secure and the tank feels like it's leaning forward, like it needs to be secured to the wall or something. The wax ring that came with it was too thin, so the bowl was resting on the tile without the ring making contact. So I stack another one on there, one without a flange, and that seemed to work. Though the bowl still feels a little wobbly. I don't want to cinch down those wing nuts anymore, as they feel like they're gonna bend the washers or crack the porcelain.

The tank appears to sit on top of the large gasket that goes on the bottom of it and on top of the bowl. I've cinched those wing nuts down very tight and the tank really leans forward, such that even pressing one of the flush buttons makes it wobble. What am I'm doing wrong here? Hard to see in this photo. I'm wondering if I need to redo the tank, such that it leans farther back on the gasket before cinching down the bolts.

[gassy]

Seems like the two rings are now a bit too thick and the toilet isn't making contact with the floor. Did you sit on the toilet to compress the rings? That would explain the leaning forward -- not enough pressure on the tank.

[Rick Lee]

Oh yes, I sat on it and wiggles it all until it felt like all of the bowl was touching tile. Even so, wouldn't it settle and then I'd just need to retighten the wing nuts?

[gshase]

Have someone sit on it as you tighten them down......Possibility of cracking the base

[Gogar]

Is the tank on backwards? Just pulling ideas outa my butt.

[look 171]

Go buy some plastic shims and shim the uneven floor then tighten bolts. Do not use wood or metal shims. Caulk around the bast with Polyseamseal.

[tabs]

U shouldn't be sitting on the toilette when you are installing it. That comes afterwards.

[dad911]

I level the rim before putting on the seat, grout base to tile. Should feel the wax compress, or the wax seal isn't thick enough. Then level the tank top.

[Baz]

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+install+a+toilet

[masraum]

It's been a while, but it seems to me that the tanks, because they have the rubber gasket, aren't necessarily self aligning/levelling. Loosen the 2 tank nuts, tilt the tank back, then tighten it back up.

As far as the toilet on the tile/seal, did it sit flat without all of the stuff? Is it possible that the tile isn't flat?

For cleaning and neatness, if the toilet feels pretty solid, but not completely, run some caulk around the bottom, but not all of the way around. Leave the back open. You want to know if you have a leak under the toilet, so you need some way for the water to leak out if you do, but the caulk will make it easier to clean around the front edge, and it will sort of glue the thing down and make it more stable.

Stop trying to dance on the toilet. No fancy positions or moving around.

[Hugh R]

Put a level across the top of the bowl in a few directions, that will tell you where to shim with plastic.

[SoCal911T]

Originally Posted by Gogar

Is the tank on backwards? Just pulling ideas outa my butt.

That was my first thought.

[Rick Lee]

No, tank is not backwards, as the back side of it has less glaze on it and the hose connection wouldn't reach if reverse. I sat on it and wiggled it some more and, sure enough, the mounting bolts loosened up a lot. So that's all level now, but the tank is still leaning forward. I found some rubber shims from the old tank that fit perfectly under the new tank and that made it better. But more shimming is needed. No shims came with the new toilets.

On to the second toilet. I was all set to install the hose connection and the old hose from the wall cracked. Off to Lowe's before they closed, figured, as long as I have to shut the water to the house off, I might as well replace them both, as well as switch to 1/4 turn valves. I'll button this up after dinner. Lot of fun today.

[Baz]

Getting new supply hoses would be the best investment you could make - one of those little suckers lets go when you're not home and you're in floodsville!

I think I will get new ones this week for my 2 toilets just as an inexpensive precaution....

[BeyGon]

Take it back and get a one piece toilet?

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Put a level across the top of the bowl in a few directions, that will tell you where to shim with plastic.

This

Had to do that at my parents' house when they put in tile. Linoleum was more forgiving.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by Baz

Getting new supply hoses would be the best investment you could make - one of those little suckers lets go when you're not home and you're in floodsville!

I think I will get new ones this week for my 2 toilets just as an inexpensive precaution....

Wouldn't you know it, I got the wrong 1/4 turn valve and, after dinner, went to install it, first turning off the water. Then the old one broke coming off, the new one didn't fit and all the hardware stores were closed. Wal-Mart didn't have it. I was able to get the old one back on and cinched down to keep it only to a very slow drip with the water back on. I'll get the right ones tomorrow morning. Pain in the ass.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Wouldn't you know it, I got the wrong 1/4 turn valve and, after dinner, went to install it, first turning off the water. Then the old one broke coming off, the new one didn't fit and all the hardware stores were closed. Wal-Mart didn't have it. I was able to get the old one back on and cinched down to keep it only to a very slow drip with the water back on. I'll get the right ones tomorrow morning. Pain in the ass.

No pun intended?

I HATE plumbing. I hooked up an outdoor sink last weekend. Drain was PITA to put together, covering an angle and some longer distance. All buttoned up, tight no leaks - happy DIY plumber ... This weekend - leaking like a sieve. WTF?

Of course I don't have a choice. A good plumber charges major bucks. It is worth my time (I usually need $50 / h for something I don't enjoy to not farm it out).

I installed a costco water saver toiled for $85 a year ago. That went well. Full refund by the water company.

G

[Bill Douglas]

It's a very strange top on that bog (bog is local jargon for a toilet) If that odd top wasn't on it the seat would stay up. Is there any flexibility in moving the toilet itself forward.

I know it's a sh it (ha ha ha) of a job installing toilets but I've installed lots of them so I'm reasonably educated on the subject.

Edit: don't do the bolts up too tight as the stuff breaks easily So the toilet can't com further forward to make the connection between tank and toilet fit better?

[DanielDudley]

You should pull the tank and look at the big foam gasket. If done right, the top should seat correctly.