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Installed a toilet today
(piefed.social)
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this post was submitted on 07 May 2026
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Nice work! I unclogged a toilet today, which required removing it, clearing out the drain pipe with an augur, and replacing the wax seal. I've done this a few times over the past year, as my son has a habit of flushing enormous quantities of toilet paper.
While it's a dirty, smelly job, by far the worst part in my experience is reseating the toilet bowl on the drain pipe. The bolts are all wiggly, so if you don't get the placement just right, you have to back off, set the bowl down—gently, or you'll chip it!—and realign the bolts before trying again. I did it today on the third or fourth try, but I've definitely gotten up to eight or ten before.
Can any dull folk enlighten me as to how to make this process easier? As the fellow in the infomercial says, there has to be a better way!
Get better bolts. Replace them everytime. You'll have to cut them down with a hack saw. They have many different bolts. But a decent set will have a retaining washer. Either plastic or another nut and washer. You set those onto the flange and then they don't move around. The second set of nuts is then used to bolt the toilet down.
Alternatively you can try a neoprene or rubber gasket as you will not have to deal with the messy wax. Just make sure you always clean both sides of the flange and base of the toilet for a positive seal. Wax is tried and true for me but in this case a rubber gasket would be warranted.
bad advice. it's not a question of if they leak, but when.
See, I have been replacing the bolts every time. And the seals I've been using come with plastic retaining washers, purportedly to hold the bolts in place—they don't. Maybe it's an issue with my anchor flange.
Sure. Try an extra nut and washer and bolt them to the flange. 100% that flange should be secured to the subfloor with no movement.
Great, this must be toilet troubles week. Now I know what to do when the person responsible for fixing things does their usual cheap - ass fly-by.
Why have you needed to replace the bolts each time?
I wouldn't say I needed to, but I was replacing the seal every time, and the seals come with a new set of bolts, so I figured I might as well. It's no bother, really.
Ah, I see. I've yet to replace a toilet seal.
There’s a product that replaces the wax seal with a rubber gasket that makes the install a lot easier. I’ve used it twice now without issue. I’ve done a wax seal once and it was awkward
I actually did use the rubber variety! I should have been more precise. I think it's an issue inherent to my anchor flange. Thanks for the suggestion, though.