Need Help - Toilet Installation

[MoonRiver]

Just bought a new toilet and the instructions are not very clear. I'm having trouble understanding how to attach the base to the tank. Here's the hardware



Here's the bracket on the tank. The bolt head slides into this piece.


And here's the base.


I know the metal washer goes underneath on the base. What I can't figure out is where the plastic washers go. The instructions say "Mounting Bracket tabs must contact vitreous for proper gasket compression" I'm assuming that means the tabs must be in contact with the toilet base. Here's a link to the instructions.

So my question is where do the plastic washers go?

Thanks

[Roadking]

The plastic washers usually are used as the base for the round plastic "covers"; the decorative piece that hides the nut and bolt.
Matt

[springvalley]

Road is right the plastic goes under the bolt head , make sure you don`t tighten them up to tight as you can break the porcelin if you do.TY Marc

[dancingfatcat]

In my opinion the plastic washers go on the base of the toilet. If you look at the instructions in step # 5, it shows plastic washers that say this side up and then the metel washers go on top of them, so you don't crack the toilet. the little cap then fits over the whole thing making it look pretty .

So, at the base put plastic washers on first and then the metel ones, hope that helps. BTW, the tank has only one set of washers and it just wants to make sure that the tank and toilet are meeting together properly, check for a secure fit.

[o&itw]

Look at the first diagram. The plastic washer you show goes under the metal washer that holds the bottom of the toliet to the floor. It helps protect the ceramic from getting cracked, but its primary purpose is to be a "rim" for the plastic bolt cover to snap on to. See the insert on step 5. It goes on the bottom part of the toliet, and has nothing to do with the tank.

[MoonRiver]

Originally Posted by dancingfatcat

In my opinion the plastic washers go on the base of the toilet. If you look at the instructions in step # 5, it shows plastic washers that say this side up and then the metel washers go on top of them, why??? I don't know.
When I have replaced toilets, they never came with these new plastic washers.

So, at the base put plastic washers on first and then the metel ones, hope that helps. BTW, the tank has only one set of washers and it just wants to make sure that the tank and toilet are meeting together properly, check for a secure fit.

Originally Posted by o&itw

Look at the first diagram. The plastic washer you show goes under the metal washer that holds the bottom of the toliet to the floor. It helps protect the ceramic from getting cracked, but its primary purpose is to be a "rim" for the plastic bolt cover to snap on to. See the insert on step 5. It goes on the bottom part of the toliet, and has nothing to do with the tank.

Step 5 is for connecting base to floor. There was a bag of parts for attaching base to floor and another bag for connecting base to tank. Both bags had plastic washers. Step 8 is the one that should explain the plastic washers but doesn't.

[o&itw]

Originally Posted by MoonRiver

Step 5 is for connecting base to floor. There was a bag of parts for attaching base to floor and another bag for connecting base to tank. Both bags had plastic washers. Step 8 is the one that should explain the plastic washers but doesn't.

The washer shown in your picture matches the washer shown in their diagram for the "cap lock" it is possible that instead of using two different washers, for economic reasons they use the same washer for the tank. In that case it would go on the underside of the bottom part of the toliet, under the nut and metal washer, that attach the tank. Be very careful tightening these nuts since you can crack the bowl. There is very little pressure from the gravity in the tank, so "just snug" is enough. After the install, the gasket may get a bit more compressed, and the nuts need further tightening. Tighten them only a little at a time, and then wait for a bit to see if the seepage stops.

Some times it takes a day or two for everything to seat properly.

[Sawmill Jim]

Did you get it ???

[MoonRiver]

Originally Posted by Sawmill Jim

Did you get it ???

I hope so. I did nut, metal washer, plastic washer. I'm going to wait until tomorrow to install in bathroom. Just thought it would be easier to get tank and base connected first.

[Common Tator]

I don't think they included the pieces you need to attach the tank to the base. There should be some sort of rubber gasket for water tightness. Do the installation instructions list what parts should be there?

[MoonRiver]

Originally Posted by Common Tator

I don't think they included the pieces you need to attach the tank to the base. There should be some sort of rubber gasket for water tightness. Do the installation instructions list what parts should be there?

Gasket wasn't a problem as it only fit one way. What threw me was that the plastic washers fit the bolt head, but if I put them on the head it wouldn't fit under the tabs. They don't seem to fit anything else so maybe they were just put in the bag to confuse me.

[Sawmill Jim]

Yes miss packing . The tank bolts should had rubber washers and that rubber gasket between tank and bottom . When sitting the bottom on the wax ring i put the TEE bolts in first then sit it on the wax ring and push down real firm . The bolts are just to keep it from moving around when in use snug them only .

Don't ask how i know

[Common Tator]

Originally Posted by MoonRiver

Gasket wasn't a problem as it only fit one way. What threw me was that the plastic washers fit the bolt head, but if I put them on the head it wouldn't fit under the tabs. They don't seem to fit anything else so maybe they were just put in the bag to confuse me.

It looks like you only have the pieces to attach the base to the floor. It does not look like you have the parts to attach the tank to the base.

I am sorry I wasn't clearer earlier.

This link from This Old House has detailed instructions on toilet installation. It also shows how to attach the tank to the base.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-...250406,00.html

So once again, I don't think you have all of the hardware you need to finish the job.

[MoonRiver]

Originally Posted by Common Tator

It looks like you only have the pieces to attach the base to the floor. It does not look like you have the parts to attach the tank to the base.

I am sorry I wasn't clearer earlier.

This link from This Old House has detailed instructions on toilet installation. It also shows how to attach the tank to the base.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-...250406,00.html

So once again, I don't think you have all of the hardware you need to finish the job.

Different style than one from This Old House. The bolts don't go through the tank, but slide into brackets that are attached to the bottom of the tank.

[Common Tator]

Still, seems there should be two sets of nuts and bolts. One to attach the base to the floor, and one to attach the base to the tank. If true, they didn't include everything in the box, and you can't finish your installation without them.

[Northernbully]

the bolts for the tank to base are about three to four inches long and have a slotted head on them for a flat head screw driver. the head of the bolt is about 1 inch wide and rather flat. there should also be two rubber washers for inside the tank, and two nuts with metal washers for the under side. dont forget the rubber gasket that goes between tank and base. these should almost always be with the tank portion, but always come with the toilet.

for the base, use a beeswax gasket not neoprene. the rubber/neoprene ones tend to dry out and leak. also if there is a big difference between floor height and the flange, you can always stack two. insert your base bolts into the flange and then place your wax seal on the flange so that it helps hold the bolts upright while you place the toilet in place. set the toilet in place and gently wobble and rock the toilet to help it settle and form a good seal. tighten the bolts hand tight and then generally qurter turn past and your good to go. leak test (i.e. water line and base should be checked and flush several times), mount a seat and put it to use.

all this should take about 15 minutes.

[MoonRiver]

Originally Posted by Northernbully

the bolts for the tank to base are about three to four inches long and have a slotted head on them for a flat head screw driver. the head of the bolt is about 1 inch wide and rather flat. there should also be two rubber washers for inside the tank, and two nuts with metal washers for the under side. dont forget the rubber gasket that goes between tank and base. these should almost always be with the tank portion, but always come with the toilet.

New style - only hole in tank is for water supply. The bolts don't go through the tank.

[DAVID In Wisconsin]

I just installed the same toilet about one month ago. As MoonRiver says, it's a new style. The tank bolts shouldn't rust in this set up. This toilet is really nice. It's a huge improvement over my old one. Never thought I get excited over a new toilet. Must be getting old...

[Common Tator]

Originally Posted by DAVID In Wisconsin

I just installed the same toilet about one month ago. As MoonRiver says, it's a new style. The tank bolts shouldn't rust in this set up. This toilet is really nice. It's a huge improvement over my old one. Never thought I get excited over a new toilet. Must be getting old...

So how does the tank attach to the base?

[artificer]

This is my take on it. The first photo shows carriage bolts, nuts, and washer to be used to connect tank to base. The plastic parts are for the T-bolts that hold the base to the toilet flange.

The "Installation" panel, above steps 1-3, shows that you need tools, as well as T-bolts, washers, and nuts for the T-bolts. They should have come with your toilet flange or wax ring. If you're reusing your old flange, you can buy a T-bolt kit for a few bucks. New, non-corroded bolts will make your life easier.

So, to attach the tank to the base, slide the carriage bolts into the tank's slot. Put the gasket on the tank, and set the tank onto the base, getting the bolts to go through the holes. Install metal washers and nuts. Tighten, but don't crack the porcelain.

Note: its MUCH easier to place the base on the toilet flange/wax ring without the tank. Installing the tank on to the base after the base is installed is very simple.

Michael

Edit: Tator... there is a plastic base piece thats attached to the bottom of the tank. The carriage bolts slide into the slots in this plastic, and hold the tank down. Now you don't have to have the washers to seal the bolts going through the tank.