

Once you have stopped the water flow and have prepped your tank, it is time to remove the rusted bolts. There is a chance that you will notice some water leaking from the line once it is disconnected. This can often be done by hand, but others can require you to have a small wrench or channel lock pliers. Fully disconnect the water supply line once the tank is empty.If you notice some water left behind and want it out, you can use a sponge or towel to dry this up. You should shut off the toilet supply valve and flush the toilet enough to empty the tank. Of course, you do not want to start doing any plumbing work before doing this. You will want to check between the tank and the bowl for any water to ensure that these bolts are, in fact, leaking. If you have seen leakage already, you should notice if the bolts are rusted or not. Ensure that any leakage you see from your toilet is actually coming from these bolts.The steps to replacing your rusted bolts are: There are a few key steps that you must take to ensure this process goes as smoothly as possible. Once you notice rusted bolts in your tank, you will want to begin the process of replacing them with new ones. If you notice rust in your tank, it is best to make the replacement before the bolts begin to falter.

The rust can cause the washers to move from their correct location and can cause leakage from the bowl. Taking on plumbing work is not something many homeowners want to do, but this can be extremely important if you do have rusted toilet bowl bolts. The problem here is that this accumulation of rust can actually cause the metal to break down over time. While there are actually three types of rust, the most commonly seen rust you will see in the tank is red rust. This rust is the result of oxidation, which results from iron, steel, or another type of metal coming into contact with water and oxygen over time. Years of condensation and water exposure to the bolts in your tank have caused rust to form. If you have opened your toilet tank recently and noticed two balls of rust around your toilet tank bolts, this is what we are talking about. Most of these bolts are of standard quality and made from simple metals that are susceptible to rusting. The inside of your toilet tank is not the easiest environment for an average bolt to live in, and it only makes sense that rust would accumulate over time. Also, even if you do not see problems yet, you will likely see them in the near future. The rust will continue to add up over time and can make the replacement process even more difficult. When you notice your tank bolts are rusted, especially if there is a significant amount of rust, you may want to consider replacing the bolts.

Rust is naturally caused because of the constant water that is in contact with the bolts. But why do toilet bolts rust at all?Īfter toilets have been in place for some time, the natural environment of the tank will lead to corrosion. This is not only unattractive, but it can also lead to leaks. Over time, you may find that these look kind of gross from the rust built up on the submerged bolts. If you’ve ever lifted the lid on your toilet bowl tank, you’ve seen the two large nuts and bolts that secure that tank to the bowl.
