Epoxy for Bathroom Bolt Replacement
This is a quick usage of epoxy to put new bolts into a tiled bathroom floor. This is a small project, but these tips/techniques can apply to larger usage of the epoxy.
Overview
The toilet has four bolts. Two on the back, and two on the bottom. The two bottom bolts have rusted out over time. The two back bolts are still intact. The goal will be to remove the toilet from the floor, drill new holes into the floor, set new bolts in epoxy, let them cure overnight, then reattach the toilet to the room and plumbing.
Concerns:
- The old bolts will be rusted, only until they go into the floor, at which point they will be solid bolts.
- Replacement of the tile is not practical.
- The new bolts must be set in epoxy strong enough to keep the toilet from moving.
Items Needed
- Two Part Epoxy (Part A is base resin. Part B is hardener)
- Acetone (cleanup)
- Brass nuts and bolts of appropriate length
- Washers of appropriate size
- Wax Ring
- Basic tools for removal of toilet (wrench, screwdriver).
- A place to store the toilet while its not being used.
Work Log
Removal of toilet.
The removal of the toilet here is relatively easy. It required a flat head screwdriver (for tank bolts) and a rachet set to hold the bolt stead. There are also the drain bolts which require pliers or a wrench. The trickier part is putting it back together, without a leak.
Preparation
The area was cleaned. This toilet has the drain at the back, so the bottom was cleaned with bleach and water. Because the drain is on the back, it lacks the natural seal on the wax ring from gravity from vertical drain toilets. In this author's opinion, vertical drain toilets seem a better fit.
Items required were purchased from the hardware store. This job required at least:
- Brass bolts
- Brass nuts
- stainless or brash washers
(temp notes) toilet removed area cleaned items purchased holes drilled in floor measurement of bolts (determined 2" bolts, not 1.5" were necessary) first cure of epoxy (clean any overpour with acetone) testing of bolts for strength second cure of epoxy (some soaked in below tile, during first cure) replacement of toilet wait for full cure (at least overnight) attachment of washer + nut tighten 'handtight', then finish with a few turns (not too many) with wrench. cleanup job complete
