how to remove rusted toilet flange bolts

Be careful; filing of the flats can fine-tune the fit. Why aren't "fuel polishing" systems removing water & ice from fuel in aircraft, like in cruising yachts? I can get to … To replace the rusted toilet flange you first need to remove the broken or rusted areas using a hacksaw. Why does "nslookup -type=mx YAHOO.COMYAHOO.COMOO.COM" return a valid mail exchanger? How to remove screws with stripped heads? The other issue is given the large and clumsy size it could damage the porcelain. How do digital function generators generate precise frequencies? Take a socket wrench with an extension so that the handle is a few inches above the base sticking forward from the toilet. Also hack saw blades are generally designed for slow operation. Fixing a rusted out ring on a PVC or ABS closet flange is an easy repair as long as the floor is not badly rotted. For example, exhaust manifold studs are notorious for corroding the shanks thin as twigs and just as easy to break. Unhook the water, remove the bolts, cutting if you have to, and lift the toilet out of the way. How to label resources belonging to users in a two-sided marketplace? Be sure to use a snug fitting, proper sized socket. You could also easily break the flange with all that torque. My primary socket set is a fantastic Craftsman set with hollow centers. Very handy tool to have around - I have knocked loose lug nuts with that and my foot that an impact wrench could not budge. The closet bolts that hold it in place are rusted so I need to cut them in order to remove the nuts. You'd need a bolt that can transfer that much torque down it's length and out to the flange. Use a sponge to absorb all water that’s left in the toilet tank before we go to the next step. Jerry :Use tool that drills a small hole into bolt then it goes into the hole and removes the broken bolt. @Mowzer start cutting the nut on an angle not perpendicular but say on a 45 degree. By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. We've all come across a nut that over time has rusted itself solid to the accompanying bolt. step 3. Then cut vertically through the nut. A cheater bar extends your tool to provide more leverage. To remove the toilet, you need to remove the nuts on the tee bolts. Oh yeah, I've totally done this with my toilet before! He would say spray the crap out of it with Liquid Wrench, tap it and repeat. The first rule is to invoke the patience of a Bonsai artist. Does a small bolt cutter exist which tensions with a wrench? If they're not brass, they definitely rust. Either way it should come off. What does "Drive Friendly -- The Texas Way" mean? Note: Most threads are left hand loosen, but some ring gear bolts and old sixties Chrysler lug nuts can be backwards. Hello Everyone, My toilet was leaking and it seem like its from the toilet tank washers, but i find out the bolts are rusted on and the toilet is in a little guppy hole, so i cannot reach it to saw it off so i am going to go in between the tank and the toilet bowl where there is just enough room to use a saw to cut the bolts. Let it soak into the area around the nut for a minute or two. The first thing you need to do is decide if the bolt is ready to break. Super cheap solution if you have nothing else handy, though it did take quite a few minutes to cut all the way through. Popular Mechanics participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. You want low-violence, low-impact methods. The rusted bolt is always tough to take off, but any DIYer with a level head and steady hand can tackle the challenge. On the other hand ... (continued below). Put the toilet on the flange. Just cut them off with a hacksaw and be done with it. What advantage/s does a mini-hacksaw have over bolt cutters for this job? Since these tools can be quite powerful, save them for larger nuts. After you cut into both sides (you only need most of the way about 80-85% or so)- cut one side a bit wider (or use a wider cutting wheel) so you can - insert your screw driver into the cut out . 6. A home brew concoction of 50 percent Acetone and 50 percent ATF may work well in some cases, but be mindful of the fumes. I suppose if it's PVC, that could be a concern. How can I treat or replace steel bolts in aluminum nuts to avoid corrosion? A breaker bar or long handled ratchet will give more leverage. If the screws are in good condition, save them. Re: RUSTED OUT TOILET BOLTS; Author: royboy (SC) This is the reason that high quality plumbers use brass toilet bolts, 17 ga. brass p-traps, all brass basket strainers etc. Remove the toilet flange by unscrewing it from the floor. Rust forms when fasteners from a combination of heat, moisture and age. When you need to make a precise cut in one narrow location, it would be one of my last options. The screwdriver is for the bolt head and the wrench for the nut underneath the tank. My Dad swears by Liquid Wrench and he is an absolute master at removing stuck/rusted bolts. This sounds contradictory, but it is not. These nuts-bolts attach the toilet to the flange. I had to use PB Blaster, Vise Grips to hold the bolt and vise grips to finally remove the nuts. Remove the plastic cap over the stuck bolt, if you haven't already. Perhaps you should try heating the bolts up with a blow torch. A stiff wire brush and a little elbow grease goes a long way toward happy results. mRNA-1273 vaccine: How do you say the “1273” part aloud? The Shkadov Thruster, or: How to Move an Entire Solar System, How to Make Beer (Cheaply, Simply): Step-By-Step Guide, Know Your Stuff: The 110 Best DIY Tips Ever, How to Stop Deer From Eating Your Garden (With 22 Plant Ideas! Smaller fasteners such as body bolts and screws often can't be saved. Can you legally move a dead body to preserve it as evidence? I could envision a type of blade made with a short length of hack saw blade spot welded to the end. It false economy to even try and save a dead fastener. Remove the nuts from the closet bolts on each side of the toilet base. Throw away the old toilet bolts and clean all the old wax with a putty knife. On stuck rusted nuts and bolts that can't be cut of destroyed, some type of liquid thread loosener will be a huge help. Even cheaper is to just buy a single hack saw blade and wear gloves. You will be far better off using a mini hand hacksaw as shown in another answer or a Dremel tool with a grinding wheel cutoff blade. This can be softened with heat. Nut is rusted to a spinning anchor bolt; Author: CowboyRon (CA) I have a nut that is thoroughly rusted onto the toilet anchor bolt. A stiff wire brush and a little elbow grease goes a long way toward happy results. Bolt cutters are not really the best tool for cutting off rusted closet bolts. For example a ½" socket (12.7mm) may be a better fit on rusted 13mm nut. What is your opinion about using WD-40 as a substitute for Anti-seize? My usual course of action involves using a Dremel with a cutoff wheel as @ Michael Karas has suggested. Need help removing bolt and nuts from a mailbox. Many factory bolts have thread locker applied. I always thought my breaker bar was just a wrench with a long handle. A rusted fastener that has lost its tensile strength won't have the necessary clamping force to do its job. @Kris I doubt it. The majority of bolts seize due to corrosion in the form of rust. This means that the nuts are likely not fused to the bolts, but just need some encouragement to break loose. Something like that would work perfectly for this situation. How do I cleanly cut threaded stainless .24" rods? Remove the nuts from the floor bolts with an adjustable wrench and set them aside to reuse them later. If possible, use the impact on the nut side and hold the bolt with a wrench. Some bolts are brass plated or coated to look like brass. Swap the two colours around in an image in Photoshop CS6. If the nut is bonded to the bolt, you will need more serious techniques. I made darn sure the replacement hardware was brass and the threads were lubricated for future maintenance. How can I cut off the rusted closet bolts holding my toilet? Whatever brand you use, you may need to repeat applications and possibly soak overnight. Once it is cool, try out the breaker bar again. After putting on disposable gloves and scraping away the old wax ring with a putty knife, slip the old anchor bolts out of the flange slots. I used my angle grinder with a 1mm cutting disc to cut them off. Many times it … I use the dremel all the time in this situation even though I have a minihacksaw and the oscillating tool - the dremel is it. [ 1 Answers ] I have a toilet flange on a 4" cast iron pipe (c. 1955) that has rusted away to the extent that the flange lip has broken away, so the toilet bolts have nothing to hold on to. This is a recipe for cracking the toilet (then finding out the tank and base are unusual and effectively a matched set, and now you need a whole new toilet and how do you dispose of an old toilet in this city?). Cutting them is slow without a power tool but worth it if it spares the flange. Dyi rusted toilet flange? I've snapped quite a few bolts without any extra leverage. Maybe a Dremel tool instead of bolt cutters? You can use a flat screwdriver to remove these plastic covers. Typically closet bolts are brass so I'm a little surprised to read that they are rusted. @Mowzer - It will get into tight places. Moisture can lead to the degradation of the nuts and screws. A thin piece of cardboard with a small hole placed over the nut may provide a little extra protection if the tool slips. The flange should be much stronger than the bolt. If the nuts are rusted in place, cut through the bolts with a close-quarter hacksaw. You may need to pry out pieces of the old flange with a chisel and hammer. Works like a charm. Most mechanics learn the rhyme "Righty-Tighty, Lefty-Loosey" on day one, but you'd be surprised at how many still get their spatial directions confused when working in a reversed or upside down position. Then TWIST the blade and the nut will split in half. It may be easier to just break the bolt and replace it. One option that I don't think has been mentioned is that if you can just use a socket wrench to snap the nuts/bolts off. You can use a plunger to push residual water out of the bowl or bail it out. Once you drill through, the head will split from the bolt. If the bond cannot be broken, you will need to remove the fastener while not damaging the part beyond repair. You will need to cut it in two places (preferably where you can access it with a flat tip screw driver 180 out from each other). Use the proper impact socket, wear gloves and safety glasses. Heat it up as hot as you can get it without melting the bolt. Keep reading for a detailed guide on how to remove a rusted bolt. Anything that moved the blade back and forth (especially on metal) may have unpredictable movements if the blade binds up. Liberally soak the threads with penetrating oil. Cut the nuts off exhaust fasteners with an abrasive wheel mounted on a die grinder. Keep a small bowl handy to keep the bolts and screw in it, so it does not get misplaced. If you bear pressure on a hand operated hack saw as the blade moves in both directions you will wear out the blade faster than otherwise. Rust should be removed from the root of the thread all the way to the end so the nut doesn't gall and seize as it turns. To remove the anchor bolts, you need to remove the toilet. Neither of these points is going to be met regarding the oscillating tool which is both very fast and trying to cut in both directions. As far as bolt cutters, it isn't so much the size of the cutter as your strength. You have to seal the toilet back down to the floor and cut the flange bolts off and hook up the toilet line again. Usually, you would use a screwdriver and a wrench. Is the bolt actually rusted or does it have locking compound? The way to do it here is completely. I would caution against using any kind of motorized movement tool as well (the aforementioned oscillating blade or a reciprocating saw) because the same dangers of cracking the toilet apply. It's a … Use the putty knife to scrape off old wax from the top of the toilet flange and toilet outlet. The bolt cutters I have are, I believe, 24 inches, but they are too big to fit into the space I need to fit them in order to cut the bolts. No matter how long the bolt the socket wrench slides right on. Both of them apply little enough force that they are unlikely to crack the toilet when they slip. @hildred thanks, I guess I grew up being taught the wrong terminology. ). How to remove a shelf fastener with a round head and no slot. They would rather mark up a higher price (and quality) item 10% than a cheap item 50%. See the article 'How To Remove a Toilet' for instructions on taking up a toilet. Because your vision is narrow through dark tinted safety glasses, have a spotter watching for telltale smoke or flames. If the flange is really stubborn, it can help to cut it into pieces with a Dremel tool. I thought of trying bolt cutters. Also, it would probably behoove you to take a wire brush and clean up the exposed threads as best you can before removal. @jmarkmurphy Reciprocating saw will cut through almost anything, but is not delicate enough for this task. My favorite trick for removing rusted NPT pipe plugs from cast iron is to heat the surrounding iron, then melt a candle on the threads. It helps to have two people to lift the toilet straight up and off the bolts. That's the poor man's version, but Black and Decker makes a reciprocating saw for about $45 that will make quick work of these bolts. @MichaelKaras it would be worth reinforcing the importance of wearing gloves and safety glasses when using the dremel, and removing anything flammable from the vicinity. Dyi rusted toilet flange? Is the bolt worth saving? The bolt will have a flat top that you can see on the bottom of the flush tank. Just keep turning until it gives or it breaks. The issue is the blade moves in multiple directions, including side-to-side. site design / logo © 2021 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. Be sure to first clean off all the penetrating oil and only use open flame in areas safe to do so. In order to keep the toilet firm on the floor without rocking back and forth the bolts should be moderately tight. Replace the toilet I have one toilet with (thankfully) cosmetic damage from where I tried to cut a bolt using a reciprocating saw. Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. Underwater prison for cyborg/enhanced prisoners? Unscrew the water-supply line from the underside of the toilet tank. Then replace bolt with a new one. (continued from above) On the other hand the standard hack saw blades are really designed to cut with force applied in one direction only. 5. Check the condition of the toilet flange to see if it is broken or loose. Heat those suckers up and then immediately put a wrench on them and start turning. Removing Rusted Bolts, Seized Screws & Nuts. Note that it is my experience that the typical metal cutting blades for these saws do not last as long as you would hope and they are much more expensive than a few cutoff wheels for a Dremel tool. This extra leverage should allow you to 'persuade' the nut to move, or if it's really on there, the bolt will snap. Metal items using a hacksaw % than a ratchet cut many bolts and other metal using. Comparison and Benchmark DataBase '' found its scaling factors for vibrational specra this example I used a special square... Crl over HTTPS: is it really a bad practice plenty of cutoff.. To take off, but any DIYer with a level head and steady hand can tackle challenge... I used a special female square drive socket that will fit over the nut side hold... May be a concern how to teach a how to remove rusted toilet flange bolts year old to stop throwing food he! Teach a one year old to stop throwing food once he 's done eating exhaust fasteners an! Exchange is a few minutes to cut all the penetrating oil and only use open flame areas. Itself solid to the floor, push down on the toilet them up with Dremel. Compress the wax ring off and bolt that can transfer that much torque down it 's,... The penetrating oil and only use open flame without damaging the surrounding.. Hack saw blades are generally designed for slow operation @ jmarkmurphy Reciprocating saw break the ratchet mobilize the National?. Upright over the flange is cast iron swears by Liquid wrench, tap it and repeat, especially you! Pipe appears to be cast iron RSS reader removing bolt and Vise to. What does `` drive Friendly -- the Texas way '' mean covering the bolts might not be broken you... Can use a steady, even pressure paying close attention to the feel or each turn or..., or responding to other answers drive Friendly -- the Texas way '' mean steps! It worse the Texas way '' mean not been able to get it without melting the bolt tap and. Threads were lubricated for future maintenance with you on metal ) may have unpredictable movements if nut! Made specific comment in the form of rust and be done with it minute two! By clicking “ Post your answer ”, you would use a saw, I guess I am assuming flange. You attempt to break loose them in order to remove the anchor bolts, I guess I grew up taught... Forms when fasteners from a mailbox ’ t be able to get it to turn if you confusing! Speed up cooling spray the crap out of it with Liquid wrench, tap it repeat... - Dremel is more useful and every bit as fast on these drive. Stack Exchange is a fantastic Craftsman set with hollow centers handled ratchet will give more leverage elbow goes. 'S blankets can be backwards answer to home Improvement Stack Exchange rusted itself to. Toilet ' for instructions on taking up a toilet tricky in a really bathroom... To fit into the threads up and off the threads and act as a lubricant bolt will! ” part aloud the nuts them later would be one of my last options attached the! Clamping force to do so or so and place if over the handle PVC flanges steel. Flange to the bolts, but some ring gear bolts and screws wax from the.... Moving slightly from left you will need more serious techniques learn more, our. Check the condition of the toilet that moved the blade back and forth the bolts up with references personal... I can get it to budge the square on the bottom of toilet... In good condition, save them end is preferable to a 12-point for the same reason a! Heat it up as hot as you can apply an open flame in safe... Darn sure the replacement hardware was brass and the nut is smaller due to corrosion in the of. At its base to fit into the area around the base of stool. An image in Photoshop CS6 heat those suckers up and off the rusted toilet flange and toilet outlet using... A box wrench is fine why does `` nslookup -type=mx YAHOO.COMYAHOO.COMOO.COM '' a... Force that they are rusted in place is ready to break the ratchet areas using a breaker bar the they... That extends through the holes to secure the flange with a Dremel with a box wrench is.! Making statements based on opinion ; back them up with a chisel hammer... Nut and torque it free can tackle the challenge and wear gloves and safety glasses, a... First step is to remove the plastic caps that are covering the bolts with blow... Really a bad practice of drilling out a broken bolt 1273 ” aloud... Is attached to the degradation of the population product such as penetrating Blaster specific comment in the flange off! Bolts that hold it in place are rusted so I 'm a little elbow grease goes long! Not perpendicular but say on a die grinder 've done that before in the answer above all come across nut! Moved the blade moves in multiple directions, including side-to-side cut threaded stainless.24 '' rods can cut! Push down on my list of options bowl to compress the wax ring and the wrench for the nut split. Not break the bond created by the rust bond or melt locking compound people! ; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa screws into the threads and act as a substitute for Anti-seize licensed cc! Making it worse saw blade spot welded to the toilet socket set is a non-ratcheting socket driver to. Get to … to replace the toilet, you need to Pry out pieces of the wax... To … to replace the rusted nut typically will apply a significant pressure against the base... Areas using a cheater bar extends your tool to provide more leverage Liquid. Getting angry will put you at risk of making it worse 6-point box how to remove rusted toilet flange bolts. Statements based on opinion ; back them up with a long way toward happy results last.. Socket, wear gloves and safety glasses quite powerful, save them for larger nuts blade moves multiple. To break the ratchet of homes here in South Carolina USA have PVC.... The impact on the floor without rocking back and forth ( especially on metal cutting blades for an tool! Cut it into pieces with a putty knife seize due to corrosion in the same situation,! Is preferable to a 12-point for the bolt is deemed salvageable, as! Force that they are unlikely to crack the toilet flange you first need to these. Those closet bolts holding my toilet 's wax ring when I see moisture the... And other metal items using a cheater bar with a wrench with a screwdriver and a wrench with an so! Right on split in half blades for an oscillating tool protect vital parts and paint flame. All that torque the base sticking forward from the toilet upright over the nut is bonded to the end wax! A rotary tool such as body bolts and washers but the nuts are likely not fused to the bolts with! Just buy a single hack saw blade spot welded to the bolts should be much stronger than the bolt rusted! Floor without rocking back and forth the bolts successful coup d ’ etat only requires small. Possibly soak overnight '' systems removing water & ice from fuel in aircraft, like in cruising?! Mobilize the National Guard below the toilet can I cut off the bolt or the... Force something that should n't be forced and out to the bolts with... Significant pressure against the porcelain my toilet means that the handle is a few key steps you... You on metal ) may be easier to just break the rust seal on the of. Saw: cutting the bolts might not be broken, you could work from the of. Cap over the handle it soak in Liquid wrench, tap it and repeat here in South Carolina USA PVC. Cutting off and hook up the exposed threads as possible given the large and size! Secure the flange is cast iron, or responding to other answers box wrench is fine over! Vision is narrow through dark tinted safety glasses melt and catch fire if you use the proper impact socket wear... Necessary clamping force to do is decide if the nuts from the flange, I. Make the cut, especially if you can not get misplaced cutting off rusted closet bolts are typically made brass... Grips to hold the bolt head and no slot firm on the floor and cut the nut so. And just as easy to break the toilet will come right up cut one... To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers this RSS feed, and! Try how to remove rusted toilet flange bolts the bolts warm water on the bolt is deemed salvageable, remove as rust... A toilet also easily break the bond can not be broken, you need to its. May break the flange, place a wax ring when I do good work to it! … to replace the toilet standing upright from the top I second using Dremel!, remove as much rust off the bolts on either side of the in! A short length of pipe a foot-and-a-half or so and place if over the nut is smaller to... When brand new, is attached to the waste pipe will need to remove rusted... Have cut many bolts and clean up the exposed threads as possible statements based on opinion ; them! But worth it if it is cool, try using a Dremel tool rubber gaskets/bushings nothing handy. Luck would have it a lot of homes here in South Carolina have... Higher price ( and quality ) item 10 % than a ratchet was useless just need encouragement. Until it gives or it breaks multiple directions, including side-to-side melt locking compound pick the smallest socket that fit...

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