Why do they only put 2 bolts on a toilet to hold it down?

Question

It would seem that with all the hurry and weight that the de
sign would be more secure and less impact from a heavy load landing in a hurry! Wax gaskets? Squish out of shape at first try that is NOT straight down to floor. A better design is called for!

Answer 1

Hello, Instead of wax gaskets use a mastic sealer to bed the pan down this will level out to the base of the pan and will not cause the pan to "slip"out of position push down firmly and screw or bolt down allow 3-4 hours to let the mastic to set to the floor and pan.

Answer 2

There are rubber seals available but I have never seen the need.
If the toilet is not sealing and the floor is not level use 2 wax seals one with a horn and one without. Use a couple of very small wooden shims to level the toilet before you bolt it down and then sit on it for a minute to set the seals.
Now mix up some plaster of Paris and trowel it under the toilet flange, clean up the excess outside the flange before it sets and give it a few hours.
now snug the bolts so that toilet does not fly away or turn and bang no wobbly leaky toilet.
The plaster is simply a fill to give the toilet a solid base to sit on, its not for sealing anything; some people use grout but I use the plaster in case I have to pull the toilet again some time and need to remove the plaster for another leveling session. As long as you let it set it is pretty permanent with the exception of not being really water proof if that is a problem just use latex caulk and seal it a little from the outside. Run a small bead along the crack and then run a wet finger along it to make a fillet.

Answer 3

Toilets are designed so that two are enough. It secures the toilet to the wastewater pipe opening. If the bolt is in back, it would be difficult if not impossible to thread and reach. If another bolt were in front, it'd be hard to clean because that's where the pee might dribble.

When we installed our new toilet, it leaked at the gasket. We called a plumber and I watched him reseat the toilet. I learned that WE MISSED ONE STEP IN THE PROCESS. After placing the wax gasket on the correct spot on the floor, and before removing the paper covering the top of the new wax gasket, he gently pushed down so the wax would adhere to the floor. Then he removed the paper, straddled the toilet and lifted and lowered it to the floor over the gasket and two bolts. No more leaks.

We centered the gasket over the hole correctly but since we failed to secure it, when we were moving the toilet bowl in position we must have inadvertently bumped the first new gasket causing it to move out of place. We always purchase toilets that have separate tanks because they are lighter and less bulky -- easier to install ourselves.

Answer 4

Having a level floor should help fixing the toilet down but from my experience this is seldom true, builders and tiller are not always up to it to do a good job.
I have fitted many toilets in my time and I have never even used a wax gasket.
And for the reason there is only two holes I don’t care because its not going to change sometimes soon or ever.
So you have to use what you got and solve the problem from there.

A clever trick I have used is to take a few hardish fiber wedged that you use to hang doors they are uses to hold the door up while you hang it on its hinges.
You can get them from almost any hardware store there are many types I would use one that is not too hard. Or make some wooden wedges the might not work as long but just as good. Secure the Seat to the floor but not all the way see where it’s lifting up and wedge it from there. Tap it in slightly with a small hammer take care not to hit the porcelain.
Turn the screws all the way more tightly do not over tighten.
Cut the off the wedges sticking out with a sharp Stanley knife take care not to cut yourself. Try to cut it at a 45 angle inwards. Lastly seal it of with mastic ore sealant to prevent any thing going in under it. Let it dry out and that should short you out for a few fast ones.

Answer 5

The wax ring beneath the toilet bowl is what helps keep it in place. If the toilet is wobbly, then the wax ring probably needs to be replaced. That is why only two bolts are needed. Take care.

Answer 6

There is no pressure so there is no need for more fasteners. The weight of the toilet gives it a good seal on that wax ring.

Answer 7

Porcelain is very fragile. More than 2 bolts on a uneven floor and too often the installers would crack the porcelain

Answer 8

to keep it balanced. Force from one end is balanced from the force at the other end. In other words, there are two opposite forces. Got It.
Read "Strength of Materials"

Answer 9

pretty good track record for success with existing design.

Answer 10

ITS CALLED HAVING A LEVEL FLOOR