Toilet floor screws rusted and bowl not tight

Supercell · 11-09-2020 11:04am #1

Over the years my bathroom toilet has started to come loose however I cannot tighten the bolts into the floor as they are rusted and cannot be budged by screwdriver by me, I'm not sure what to do, hoping someone has suggestions here.

I was considering just using some kind of glue to just permanently lock it to the floor but really would rather not if possible.

I had thought of using an impact driver to try and budge it but am afraid of shattering the bowl.
Another part of me thinks, why not just do that but I'd still have to get the bloody screw out of the tile floor.

Here's what one side looks like, the other is the same :

All suggestions welcome!

jippo nolan · 11-09-2020 1:05pm

Supercell wrote: »

Over the years my bathroom toilet has started to come loose however I cannot tighten the bolts into the floor as they are rusted and cannot be budged by screwdriver by me, I'm not sure what to do, hoping someone has suggestions here.

I was considering just using some kind of glue to just permanently lock it to the floor but really would rather not if possible.

I had thought of using an impact driver to try and budge it but am afraid of shattering the bowl.
Another part of me thinks, why not just do that but I'd still have to get the bloody screw out of the tile floor.

Here's what one side looks like, the other is the same :

All suggestions welcome!

I would drill heads from screws, remove toilet bowl & use vice grip on stub of screws left behind.
Replace with brass screws!

Supercell · 11-09-2020 1:10pm

jippo nolan wrote: »

I would drill heads from screws, remove toilet bowl & use vice grip on stub of screws left behind.
Replace with brass screws!

That sounds like a plan, definitely want to end up with better screws in place at the end.
Would something like this be suitable for the job? - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yakamoz-Double-Tungsten-Carbide-Rotary/dp/B06Y4MLSST/ref=sr_1_14?crid=3B1SY3QFENH81&dchild=1&keywords=dremel+drill+bits&qid=1599826107&sprefix=dremel+drill%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-14

jippo nolan · 11-09-2020 1:13pm

Supercell wrote: »

That sounds like a plan, definitely want to end up with better screws in place at the end.
Would something like this be suitable for the job? - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yakamoz-Double-Tungsten-Carbide-Rotary/dp/B06Y4MLSST/ref=sr_1_14?crid=3B1SY3QFENH81&dchild=1&keywords=dremel+drill+bits&qid=1599826107&sprefix=dremel+drill%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-14

No need, just use a 4mm dia drill bit to remove screw head. Head should just pop off!

Supercell · 11-09-2020 1:20pm

Thanks, will give it a lash this weekend.

jippo nolan · 11-09-2020 7:30pm

Supercell wrote: »

Thanks, will give it a lash this weekend.

Don’t forget, before replacing toilet bowl, replace “Doughnut” seal where bowl meets waste pipe!

tabby aspreme · 11-09-2020 9:40pm

Could you cut the screws insitu, at floor level with a multi tool. Use brass or stainless steel this time.

Irish_peppa · 13-09-2020 8:38am

tabby aspreme wrote: »

Could you cut the screws insitu, at floor level with a multi tool. Use brass or stainless steel this time.

Think stainless steel would be better for this, Was using brass screws for similar job and the softness of the brass led to the head of the screw deforming. I was using a lot of torque but the brass seemed very weak so had to be extra careful when tightening and unscrewing.

tabby aspreme · 13-09-2020 9:20am

Irish_peppa wrote: »

Think stainless steel would be better for this, Was using brass screws for similar job and the softness of the brass led to the head of the screw deforming. I was using a lot of torque but the brass seemed very weak so had to be extra careful when tightening and unscrewing.

Drill a pilot hole for the screw

Irish_peppa · 13-09-2020 9:27am

tabby aspreme wrote: »

Drill a pilot hole for the screw

I did tabby, The top of the screw sheared on one of them too :eek: Had to use a vice grips to prize out the stump. Possibly a dodgy batch of brass. Still use brass screws for any decorative applications. Just anything that needs a strong tighten or could possibly need to be removed, Im a bit wary now.

tabby aspreme · 13-09-2020 9:38am

Irish_peppa wrote: »

I did tabby, The top of the screw sheared on one of them too :eek: Had to use a vice grips to prize out the stump. Possibly a dodgy batch of brass. Still use brass screws for any decorative applications. Just anything that needs a strong tighten or could possibly need to be removed, Im a bit wary now.

If you rub candle wax on them it helps also, I'd usually put brass screws in by hand, as you can feel them starting to wring off

J.R. · 15-09-2020 10:13pm

tabby aspreme wrote: »

If you rub candle wax on them it helps also,

or dip them in wax or vaseline...helps lubricate them ...making it easier to screw them in.

The Continental Op · 17-09-2020 4:21pm

I've snapped a good few stainless steel screws, brass never. The trick with both on top of drilling a pilot hole is to drive a near identical steel screw with a drill/driver first. Then once removed you have a precut hole for your SS or brass screws. The reason I do this for brass screws is that you often damage the heads with the screwdriver bit if you have to apply to much torque but after driving a steel screw first that problem is removed.

It does take a load more time but its not a job you are going to do very often.

GreeBo · 18-09-2020 8:38am

OP How loose is the bowl? I bead of white silicone would stop any movement, but obviously you still have rusty screws to look at.
I'd be wary of going at a rusted old screw in a porcelain bowl, make sure you have a sharp HSS bit....

Kaybaykwah · 18-09-2020 8:51am

You could also shear the heads off with a small metal saw if it's rusted, they will be softer. Put some masking tape on the bowl, but even then, you probably wouldn't scratch it from sawing.

Toilet floor screws rusted and bowl not tight

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