How is a Toilet fixed to the Floor?

[JD2012]

How is a Toilet fixed to the Floor?

This might seem like a silly queston but i was cleaning mine last night and i noticed one of the four screws holding it to the floor is very loose.
Are they held in by washers? If so could it have rotted away?

I dont see a washer or anything like that on the loose one.

What can i do to fix the loose screw?

Thanks

 

[Madrab]

May be a silly question, have you tried tightening it?

Depends on the floor type, if it's wood then chances are the screw has either been pulled out the wood and needs refitted or the screw has snapped and needs replaced.
If it's concrete then either the screw has snapped or been pulled out of the rawplug and that needs drilled out and replaced.

Are the screws brass?

 

[just pumps]

Sometimes there is a combined plastic washer and cap to hide the screw head, is this what you mean on the loose screw? Otherwise as above.

 

[JD2012]

May be a silly question, have you tried tightening it?

Depends on the floor type, if it's wood then chances are the screw has either been pulled out the wood and needs refitted or the screw has snapped and needs replaced.
If it's concrete then either the screw has snapped or been pulled out of the rawplug and that needs drilled out and replaced.

Are the screws brass?

No they are not brass. I tried to tighten it but no luck. I have also just spotted that the others are phillips but the loose one is just the slot type. The floor is Wodden

 

[JohnD]

it's not chipboard, is it?

How old, do you think?

 

[just pumps]

May be a silly question, have you tried tightening it?

Depends on the floor type, if it's wood then chances are the screw has either been pulled out the wood and needs refitted or the screw has snapped and needs replaced.
If it's concrete then either the screw has snapped or been pulled out of the rawplug and that needs drilled out and replaced.

Are the screws brass?

No they are not brass. I tried to tighten it but no luck. I have also just spotted that the others are phillips but the loose one is just the slot type. The floor is Wodden

Remove one of the Phillip head screws and compare it to the loose flathead screw - Is it smaller in diameter or length? - Does the Phillip head screw tighten in the other hole? - If the loose screw is one of the back ones then it isn`t a big deal.

 

[JD2012]

it's not chipboard, is it?

How old, do you think?

No, its just normal wooden floorboards.

 

[JD2012]

Remove one of the Phillip head screws and compare it to the loose flathead screw - Is it smaller in diameter or length? - Does the Phillip head screw tighten in the other hole? - If the loose screw is one of the back ones then it isn`t a big deal.

Its the front left screw. I cant't say i have seen any leaks but i would like to fix it all the same.

 

[JohnD]

I'd start with a larger (wider) screw. Take out the old one and see if it bears evidence of soft, crumby or rotting wood. This is not unusual around a pan, especially if there has been a leak or any inaccuracy.

It is possible to screw small blocks to the floor, tightly pressing against the base of the pan, to prevent it wobbling.

 

[vinn]

Dont attempt to restrict a wobbly or insecure pan with "blocks" - you might crack the pan. Fix the cause.

With a wood floor its possible to either slide a hacksaw blade under a slightly wedged up pan and cut the retaining screw or, depending on the quality of the finished flooring, to carefully bite away a little pocket and use an old thin wood chisel to lightly cut the screw.

On a concrete floor its most always possible to slip the hacksaw blade in.
But its obviously still possible to burrow under and chisel the fixing.

 

[Madrab]

JD, as all you are looking to do is re-secure, as John mentions, remove the old screws and then using a toilet fixing kit, that will have new screws and plastic sleeves and covers, refix by moving the screw positions slightly so it is biting into new wood. The only alternative is to lift the pan, check out the condition of the wood, replace as necessary (they do tend to rot a little around the screws) and then refit.

 

[just pumps]

Dont attempt to restrict a wobbly or insecure pan with "blocks" - you might crack the pan. Fix the cause.

With a wood floor its possible to either slide a hacksaw blade under a slightly wedged up pan and cut the retaining screw or, depending on the quality of the finished flooring, to carefully bite away a little pocket and use an old thin wood chisel to lightly cut the screw.

On a concrete floor its most always possible to slip the hacksaw blade in.
But its obviously still possible to burrow under and chisel the fixing.

WTF! Where did the guy say anything about not being able to remove a screw?

 

[vinn]

just pumps,
I dont mind you having an emotional moment but unless you are one of these guys that like talking emotional in public then I dont think profanity enhances your post.
The point is that now you will know all about how to remove a stuck screw.
I do hope that it helps you with your future DIY ambitions.

 

[just pumps]

Your post was totally pointless in the context of the question as the guy was never asking how to remove a broken screw, furthermore I`m not a DIY man but actually a tradesman for +20yrs. Suggest you don`t give up your day job.

 

[vinn]

"a broken screw" - who, what where? Fetch the search party.
By the way, just because you've had a go at DIY for 20 yrs doesn't make you a tradesman.
Oh, just noticed, its 20 plus years - Gee whiz whatever next.