Shimming Toilet

Mr Fixit eh

Mr Fixit eh

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Installing a new toilet, and it appears that the toilet drain flange is not level and slightly above the floor grade. The floor is level. The front of the toilet sits about 3/16 above the floor and the back of the toilet is tight against the floor once the bolts are tightened. I'm thinking it's a matter of putting in shims around the front of the toilet?

Steve
 
I would put the shims on the back of the toilet and let the front of the bowl sit firmly on the floor (thats where all the weight will be). Then place some silicone around the edge of the base to hide the gap.
 
krow said:
Then place some silicone around the edge of the base to hide the gap.
Click to expand...

GRRRRRRRRRRR:mad: Please don't use silicone rtv to caulk a toilet. It makes them very dificult to remove later. Use a latex caulk such as Polyseamseal or, Phenoseal! I have seen floor tiles come up with a toilet sealed with silicon rtv.

shimming.jpg


 
Last edited by a moderator:
Type of shims.

They do make plastic shims, (instead of using wood shims). I get mine at Home Depot but they are not in the plumbing isle. I think they are in the shelf isle. They are a little harder to trim, but the won't rot out. You can dry fit them, and mark them where they need to be trimmed, and then remove and trim them at the marks, and then put them back in. I guess wood or plastic...it's really personal preferences.
 
do the shims in the back....

Put the shims in the back , you dont see them as
badly......and it distributes your wifes weight when she
slams her butt down on the toilet better......


the best shims you can use are pennies , dimes and

quaters.....

2 cents stacked up on each back corner will usually do it..


the best caluk to use is DAP....


POLY SEAM SEAL is good stuff but it is actually worse than silicone to get off.... the tile later on....

toilet-shims-terrylove-01.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
master plumber mark said:
the best caluk to use is DAP....
POLY SEAM SEAL is good stuff but it is actually worse than silicone to get off.... the tile later on....
Click to expand...

Never had a problem with it! The same putty knife ise on the wax ring takes it right off! Silicone RTV is the only type of caulk I have issues with.

polyseamseal_clear.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
old set up Poly seam seal is wicked

I have tangled with old poly seam seal before...

it does make for great seals in tile corners,
and once it finally sets up it is as hard as concrete...

I have literally used a hammer and chisel to get that
hardned poly seam seal off tile and other surfaces before...

it takes quite a while for it to cure.....
it is just as wicked as silicone,, in its own way...

maybe you just have not had to
" dance the dance " with it yet...


I simply prefer the DAP because it sets up very quickly
and will do the job without having to get out
the heavy equipment to get it off in 5 years....
 
I have been using premixed concrete patch. It comes in a tub about the size of a margarine tub. I just pack it in with a putty knife and wipe it with a sponge. It looks great and works great.
 
Redwood said:
GRRRRRRRRRRR:mad: Please don't use silicone rtv to caulk a toilet. It makes them very dificult to remove later. .
Click to expand...
Really?

You should try cutting the silicone with an excto knife first before removing the toilet. That has worked for plumbers in Canada since that stuff was invented
 
Krow let me tell you... The glued down toilet is usually the one in the lowest bath and I'm trying to pull it to snake a line after the brown river overflowed its banks.... There is a limit to how much time and how upclose and personal I'm going to get with it. Trust me using Silicone RTV is not being nice to the next guy that has to take the toilet off its mount!
 
Excellent advice on the shims - it looks much better with the shims in the back side, and it makes the toilet very steady.

Thanks for your advice - this is a great site.

Steve
 
yes ....I remember that nightmare...

Redwood said:
Krow let me tell you... The glued down toilet is usually the one in the lowest bath and I'm trying to pull it to snake a line after the brown river overflowed its banks.... There is a limit to how much time and how upclose and personal I'm going to get with it. Trust me using Silicone RTV is not being nice to the next guy that has to take the toilet off its mount!
Click to expand...


when it is glued down with silicone I have had the
whole vinyl flooring come up with the toilet..

.and they expected me to pay for a new floor.

those are memories that stick with you for a lifetime...
 
master plumber mark said:
when it is glued down with silicone I have had the
whole vinyl flooring come up with the toilet..

.and they expected me to pay for a new floor.

those are memories that stick with you for a lifetime...
Click to expand...

I agree in full regarding silicone caulk on toilets.
Not only is it a b-buster with loose tile, linoleum & VTL tile, but it's always a good time when a replacement toilets profile isn't the same as the nasty silicone caulks profile left from the old toilet on a ceramic or porcelain tiled floor...good times trying to remove that line without scratching the floor...good times.
 
I always use silicone. I always cut caulk with either a utility knife or a carpet knife before I pull a toilet. Acrylic caulk often gets hard as cement over time and doesn't cut well. Silicone caulk is strong enough to support the toilet and unlike acrylic will set even if there is moisture present.
 
Herk said:
I always use silicone. I always cut caulk with either a utility knife or a carpet knife before I pull a toilet. Acrylic caulk often gets hard as cement over time and doesn't cut well. Silicone caulk is strong enough to support the toilet and unlike acrylic will set even if there is moisture present.
Click to expand...

I'll call you on my next ugly one... You can be stooped over hands and knees trying to get the damn thing loose without lifting the flooring... Squishy brown trout laying about!:eek:
 
We usually use tile grout around the toilet or DAP if the floor is vinyl.
 
Herk said:
You'd pull the toilet without cleaning up the floor? You'd kneel in it? Amazing.
Click to expand...

Nope, Not me! A quick cut around the base and pull! If the floor comes up sorry to hear about it!

You haven't experienced this until you've done it in a 4 family with a basement apartment! In spite of telling them not to use the facilities they're still flushing as you pull it... Gotta love the ghetto! 3" deep and rising fast Gotta drop it! It will all go down when the line clears... Nope I'm not cleaning it up!
 
Redwood said:
Nope, Not me! A quick cut around the base and pull! If the floor comes up sorry to hear about it!

You haven't experienced this until you've done it in a 4 family with a basement apartment! In spite of telling them not to use the facilities they're still flushing as you pull it... Gotta love the ghetto! 3" deep and rising fast Gotta drop it! It will all go down when the line clears... Nope I'm not cleaning it up!
Click to expand...


LOL
Yup done that. I print very clearly. "Not Responsible for Mess Caused by Flushing Toilets ETC... " I will also turn off the house main if I need to. No need to have other peoples stuff all over me.
I turned the Main with some jerk taking a shower once. he got in after I said not to run anything.
 
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