Help, the seal broke on my toilet (refill tank, not bowl) and I can't

[I_Make_Mistakes]

get the hex bolt off (rusted). I have sprayed WD-40, 3 times for a minute. The rust just drips, (it's been almost 17 yrs. since it was installed). Any ideas how to get the thing off!

Also, I took the toilet off in the other bathroom to install vinyl flooring. I talked to a plumber and it is going to take 3 - 4 weeks to put it on. Is it that much to do myself? I am female, and live in a 2nd floor condo, I don't want to rain on my neighbor's bathroom. If I lived on the 1st floor, I would try it without any question.

[LiberalUprising]

1. Sounds like the bolt will have

to be sawed off with a hacksaw, it's not too hard to do, just requires patience and a small hacksaw with a good blade, an altenative would be to just shut the water off and use this method until you can get a plumber out there:

Flush a Toilet Without a Tank

Pouring water directly into the bowl can flush a standard flush toilet, even if the tank has been removed for repair or if the water supply is turned off. A reasonably full mop bucket (most hold about 5 gallons) should be plenty. Direct the water against the side of the bowl, above the normal water line. Pour it in steadily, starting fairly rapidly (think about how the water looks when it comes in from the tank). After the bowl flushes, pour slower, to allow the level of the water remaining in the bowl to return to its normal level.

http://homerepair.about.com/cs/plumbing/qt/flush_no_tank.htm

[I_Make_Mistakes]

2. Thanks. Duh, I have a hack saw, granted the angle and porcelain

will be a challenge, but that is the ticket. I think my problem was thinking from the tank down and not the bottom up. I will probably tape a towel or two around the tank to not ruin the finish.

Thanks again, couldn't see the tree from the forest.

[Warpy]

14. Great advice, as anyone who is stuck with a low flow toilet

already knows. Most of us in the desert have gallon buckets next to our toilets for those times when that abbreviated flush just isn't enough.

[politicat]

3. Toilets are easy to install.

Go to the library and pick up a book on basic plumbing. There will be an illustration on putting in a toilet. Follow that.

You will need a wax ring (hardware store, $4 or less) and some teflon tape. Since the toilet is 17 years old, you might want to think about replacing it with a new one that uses less water. (Many cities give rebates on this.)

The basic steps are: clean out the old wax ring, put in the new one, squish the new bowl on top of the new wax ring and on the bolts, fix down the bolts. Mount the new tank on the bolts on the bowl, tighten with teflon tape, attach the water supply and adjust. Turn on the water supply, look for leaks.

We've done 5 of them in the last year (flooring issues in 2 different houses) and they are 2 hour projects (not counting the flooring and the other stuff you have to do).

[SW FL Dem]

4. I'm a 40 something Mom and I have installed toilets

If I can do it, you can. My only advice would be to buy a couple of wax rings. They are cheap, but very necessary. If you make a mistake in placing the toilet, you will probably need a new one.

[I_Make_Mistakes]

5. Thanks everyone, I am going to at least attempt it! If I fail towels

will be down to collect the water, and I have to pay a plumber next month!

It didn't seem that hard, but the possible impacting a first floor neighbor concerned me. I will do it, when I can monitor the situation closely throughout the day. Thanks again!

[Stinky The Clown]

7. If it happens that yu have to leave the toilet off the floor drain .......

...... to wait for a plumber, be sure to stuff a rag into the drain hole. The trap for a toilet drain is in the toilet itself, not in the pipe. If you leave this pipe open, you have no water seal and sewer gas will make your house smell like a cesspool ..... or worse.

Just be careful not to let the rag get lost down the pipe.

[I_Make_Mistakes]

8. I did that with bubble wrap and a plastic storage crate on top.

That was in the how to remove a toilet to do list. I use home depot or lowes how to lists a lot.

[ernstbass]

6. Oh the joys of plumbing!!

You can install a toilet - no problems there. I'm a single woman in my 40's and I installed 2 in the past year. Getting the old one out is the worst. I had a rusted hex bolt on a refill tank but I was replacing the bowl and tank so I had a strong friend come over. He wrenched the tank off like the incredible hulk (broke the porcelan) but I wasn't trying to save the bowl - Good luck!!

[I_Make_Mistakes]

9. I bought this cute, tiny about 4" bladed multi purpose saw. There is

some room between the toilet and the bolt. It will be a pain, but this little saw ($10) should ease the chore.

[NMDemDist2]

10. let us know how it turned out, good luck! n/t

[I_Make_Mistakes]

11. I will, I started a maybe I should get new appliances kick and

went to Sear's, they have an inc edible deal (buy any 3 or more appliances of 399.99 and get 20% off). One of the appliances I wanted the sale ended today so it was crazy. I saved $350.00 (pretty much a whole new appliance).

I only bought those that were already on sale so I got appliances that were 170 to 180 off total. I bought a range, d/w, washer and dryer. There was a lot of research and confirmation going on. Wow, only 1 delivery charge too! (Mine are almost 17 yrs. old, working but not very well). For those who are interested, the deal runs thru Nov. 2nd. Remember when looking at price the deal is 10 % for 1, 15% for 2 and 20% for 3 or more off!, or you can get free delivery and 0% financing for 14 months.

Edit : I will and thanks for the good luck AZ!

[I_Make_Mistakes]

12. Finally got back here. Thanks for all your help. I replaced 2

toilets, and would not have the courage without you guys. I just replaced the toilet in the Master bathroom, the floor was a few months old, and the toilet was being put back (with a porcelain crack).

The guest bath, I thought that only the refill tank seal had been broken, but there was also, a small, slow drip in the seal. The Lauan only had to be replaced (the sub flooring was sound, thank God!). The flooring and molding were completely replaced, by me, and finally the toilet is back on.

Thanks again for your support!

[NMDemDist2]

13. well done! glad you tried it and thanks for the update n/t

[I_Make_Mistakes]

15. Thanks and here's something you'll love.

I always try to merchandise what I am throwing out at the dumpster. I had put the toile bowl (damaged) and refill tank (not damaged) in the open area. I came home the other night and looked over, someone had removed the perfectly good refill tank. Sometimes, it is so easy to recycle, just put the items in plain site@