LESLIE: Bob in Missouri is working on a project in the bathroom. How can we help you with that?
BOB: Well, I’ve got a toilet that I just can’t seem to get tightened down to the floor real well.
LESLIE: OK.
BOB: It doesn’t leak but about once a week I’ve got to straighten it back out, because it’s a little cockeyed. And every time I try to tighten it, it seems like it’s not doing anything.
LESLIE: I mean it’s possible at this point, especially since it’s something that it seems like you’ve been working on for a little while now, that perhaps at this point those bolts are stripped, which means they’re not going to tighten at all. They’re just going to keep spinning and spinning because they’re not grabbing onto anything.
So what we would recommend is, you know, taking out those old bolts – finding out the size, the length, the diameter, everything – and bringing them over to the home center and getting some new bolts. You can go ahead and make sure you turn off the water, disassemble those bolts, pull the toilet off of the floor, replace that wax seal. As long as you’re doing some work, you might as well make sure it’s nice and tightened up.
Replace that wax seal and then reattach the toilet to the floor using those new bolts. But make sure – it seems like you’re really anxious to get this guy really plumb down to the ground. Don’t overtighten them, because one turn too many and you’re going to crack that porcelain and you’re going to need a whole-new commode.
BOB: OK. So, basically, just snug them down good.
LESLIE: Exactly.
TOM: Yeah. Mm-hmm, exactly. You don’t want – don’t overdo it. If you think you need an extra turn, stop.
BOB: OK. Thank you guys very much. You’ve been a big help.
TOM: You’re welcome, Bob. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.
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