Does your "throne" rock?

I know this isn't the most exciting blog I have ever done but it is necessary; we all have one, two, three and may four in our home.

Most folks are pretty good at replacing the inside items that need to be replaced from time to time. No Problem...

Now does your "throne" rock? I recently inspected a home that had the most, we'll say "not level" toilet I have ever seen. Just in case some folks don't know it can be easily fixed. You can call a plumber or you can do it yourself. Here are a few tips if you want to try your handy work.

•1. Remove the tank. Modern style toilets have Two bolts that hold the bowl to the closet flange

•2. Remove the nuts from these bolts. If you have a 4 bolt type, remove all.

•3. Ooops, I forgot make sure the water is turned off.

•4. Now pull the toilet straight up and set down on some newspaper.

•5. Clean off the closet flange and inspect for damage. If the flange has sunk below the flooring, you will need a flange extension or a double seal. No big deal. If the flange is above the floor, you will either need to shorten the pipe or cut out a piece of plywood in the shape of the bowl to build it up. If it's minor, you can put some Plaster of Paris down and set the bowl in that to build it up.

•6. Place your new wax seal around the hole on the bottom of the bowl, and carefully lower over the bolts. You can buy one of these at the big box store (in the plumbing department).

•7. New bolts are a good idea if you are going to all the trouble.

•8. Use an extra nut to hold the bolts firmly to the closet flange.

Now Test:

Sit on the bowl a few minutes to compress the wax and then put the nuts back on the bolts. Sit again and retighten. Do not over do it. Follow the same instructions in tightening these bolts as you did for the Close Couple bolts. The bowl should not rock or move. If it does, try some wedges, or the Plaster of Paris tip above.

Applause! No More Rocking Throne

*First Time Home Buyer? Moving to Comal County? San Antonio or surrounding counties? Need a home inspection? Septic system inspection, condo inspection?...I am an Texas Advanced Home Inspector, License #3630 and have been in business since 1994___For questions you can reach me at 830-660-0131.

realestateinspector@yahoo.com www.home-inspection4u.com

Thank You Carl & Ceil Winters

Blog: Localism, Canyon Lake, New Braunfels Texas

June 24, 2009