How to Remove Rusted Toilet Tank Bolts | 10 Easy ideal tools

Are your toilet tank bolts getting rusted and stuck inside you can’t remove? If so, My friend, this is for you, and you get your solution today.

Rusted toilet tank bolts are actually common but not good stuff. It can cause stains all over the tank and bowl while flushing.

Rusted tank bolts make the toilet fragile and unsafe to use, creating leakage also. Today I discuss how to remove rusted toilet tank bolts and how you can prevent future rusting.

Before I get to the answer, I’d like you to know the reasons for toilet bolts rust.

Why do toilet bolts rust

Someone leaves a question, ” why do toilet bolts rust?” in my comment box. So I wondered and asked my closes friend Paul and came to these points-

There are a few reasons why toilet bolts may rust out.

Reason1:

The majority of toilet bolts are made from some type of chromium alloy and will rust in water. Or, the bolts are not made of rust-resistant metal. – this one is the most common cause of rust bolts.

Reason2:

It is also possible that the bolts were not tightened down enough, allowing water to get in and cause rusting.

Sometimes, when the bolts are tightened down, the bolt can twist slightly. This is called a Helicoil – and if it’s not done correctly, the head of the bolt can be compromised.

If this happens, then the bolt has to be replaced.

Reason3:

The wrong installation sometimes ends up with a different issue like rust and leakage.

Another probability is that the bolts were not installed properly and are not getting enough protection from the water and weather.

It is also possible that the bolts were not installed using stainless steel washers or locknuts, which can help to prevent corrosion.

Reason4:

This one is a rare case in that the bolts put off some gasses that may be rusting them.

In summary, there are many possible reasons for toilet tank bolts can rust, and more than likely, it’s a combination of the reasons listed above.

Let’s hope that whatever is causing your issue with corroded bolts gets fixed soon!

How to Remove Rusted Toilet Tank Bolts | 10 Easy Way

The replacement or removal process is relatively easy if bolts have rusted out. It is usually good to replace all bolts when they are rusted because of the possible safety hazard.

You get Toilet bolts at your local hardware store for very little money.

If you think you can do it yourself, go ahead and buy the bolts and follow the simple step of removing rusted toilet tank bolts.

There are many ways to remove a rusted bolt. Some are more efficacious than others, some are faster, and some cost less money.

1. Use a Wrench or a Pipe to Remove the Rusted Bolts

The first method to remove rusted bolts is to use a wrench or a pipe. This is the most common yet best way to remove these bolts, but the wrench has to have a long enough handle for you to get proper leverage.

The most important thing is that you have the right tool for the job. If you don’t have a wrench or a pair of pliers, you won’t remove the bolts.

2. Vinegar Method

You know what! Vinegar is the only household item that can use from eating to cleaning- I guess The All-in-One Product.

Pour Vinegar Over the Bolts and Wait for 10 minutes. The vinegar will eat away at the rust. Then you can remove it easily without damaging the porcelain.

how to remove rusted toilet tank bolts

3. Use a Hacksaw to Cut off the Bolts

If you don’t have bolt extractors, then using a hacksaw will be your best option for removing the bolts.

The hacksaw will work amazingly, but it is very dangerous. You must be extremely cautious not to cut yourself.

4. Use WD-40

Do you ever heard about WD-40! If not, check this out here; if yes. You know how it will work on rust and greasing items.

WD-40 is easy to use but careful about contact skin. Just spray WD-40 over the bolts and wait for 10 minutes. It will help clear any rust that hides behind the bolts.

Check More- Is WD-40 is Good and effcetive for toilet or not?

5. Baking Soda

Another cheap yet all-rounder household item. Great for cleaning. Although, Baking Soda does not work on old rust.

Spray over the bolts and Soak the bolts in baking soda for 30 minutes. The baking soda will eat away any remaining rust. Then it must be easy for you to remove the rusted bolts from the toilet tank.

Read More Hacks- Do you often travel and toilet become Brown? Now simply placing Baking Soda before Vacation; can remove all of those things.

6. Cut off the Head part of the Bolts

If you don’t want to use baking soda or WD-40, simply cut off the rusted bolt’s head. Using a chisel and hammer, remove the bolt heads.

You have to be very careful not to cut yourself. Although, while cutting the head of the bolts, it may scratch the area of the toilet.

7. Wire Brush

Use a wire brush to scrub the bolts. It is one of the best ways to remove rust from bolts because it removes much of the rust without too much effort or time involved.

8. Use a Drill

Another effective method is to use a drill with a Phillips head bit. This is the most effective way to remove the bolts, but this method will be useless if you don’t have a drill.

9. Use a pair of pliers to remove the bolts

Use a pair of pliers to pull the bolts. – This is another method that will work, but it can damage or break the bolts, and this is why it should only be used as a last resort.

10. Try using bolt extractors

The final method would be to use bolt extractors, and this is one of the most effective ways to remove rusted bolts, but they can be expensive.

Read More- Don’t forget to check a Magic put your toilet tank and get better smell all time.

How to get rusted bolts off a toilet

The best way to remove a rusted bolt is to use a hacksaw or wire cutters. You can also try using a chisel and hammer or a drill.

These methods can remove rusted bolts and screws with minimal damage to the surrounding surfaces and free up the bolt for removal.

How to remove rusted plastic bolts from toilet seat

Removing rusted plastic bolts from a toilet seat can be frustrating and challenging. Here are a few ideas on how to get rid of them:

  • – Try using a wrench or pliers to twist the bolt off.
  • – If the bolt is still stuck, try using a hacksaw to cut it off.
  • – If all else fails, you can use a drill to remove the bolt.

Once the bolts have been removed, ensure that no chunks of dried rust remain behind.

To prevent dealing with rusted bolts in your toilet seat again, take care that you do not leave it sitting too long without use.

If there is a time when the seat will stay off for an extended period, put a few drops of bleach into the tank to stop rust from starting.

If you do find yourself with more rusted bolts than you’d like to deal with, keep a wrench or pliers on hand if possible.

This way, you can turn off the toilet and prevent it from overflowing without removing the seat.

Doing so will allow you to deal with the rusted bolts more comfortably.

Read More- Toilet Anchor bolts are spinning

Remove stuck toilet tank bolts

To remove stuck toilet tank bolts, you will need a few tools.

You will need

  • · a wrench,
  • · a screwdriver, and
  • · a bucket.

Place the bucket under the bolt to be removed and loosen the bolt with the wrench. If the bolt is stuck, use the screwdriver to pry it loose. If it is very stuck, use a plumber’s snake.

If the bolts are stripped, you will need to replace them.

1. First, flush the toilet and remove all of the water from the tank by turning off the shutoff valve behind the toilet or using a bucket to bail out water.

2. Take off the lid on top of the tank and look inside for a small rod about the diameter of a pencil.

3. If it is present, there should be a circular metal ring around it with two nuts on either side of this rod holding it down to the part that actually flushes.

4. Remove these nuts using your wrench and pull off the bolt sticking out of the bottom where you bailed water out.

5. You can now remove the old toilet tank bolts. If there is no rod on the inside of your tank, look around for a small plastic piece sticking out of one corner of your tank — this will be where you place the new bolts.

Once you have placed new bolts, go ahead and put everything back together by reversing the steps you followed to remove the old bolts.

How to keep toilet tank bolts from rusting

One way to keep toilet tank bolts from rusting is to apply a light coat of petroleum jelly.

If the bolts are rusted, apply penetrating oil and wait for 24 hours. Remove the old petroleum jelly or wax with either mineral spirits (paint thinner) or oven cleaner.

Another method is to apply a coat of wax.

If you use oven cleaner, be sure to wear gloves and follow instructions on the label as some brands of oven cleaner can cause chemical burns if left on the skin for an extended period.

Preventing rust is easy if you keep your bolts clean and lubricated.

Toilet bolt removal tool

Tools:

· screwdriver

· keyhole saw

· pliers

If you are not sure how to get access to your toilet nuts or bolts, you will need to remove your toilet seat slightly. If you are unsure, contact a qualified plumber for advice on how to replace the bolts.

When you are ready to replace the bolts, first remove the old ones with your screwdriver. All that remains is to slide the new ones in and tighten them.

However, be careful to not over-tighten anything because you can break your toilet or get hurt.

If you are still unsure, contact a plumber. They can help you to replace the toilet bolts in no time!​​

How to cut toilet tank bolts?

When any project or task that involves cutting through steel is necessary, you should use the right tools for the job.

However, there are multiple types of cutting tools available. Which ones to choose can be difficult to tell without first understanding your options.

Suppose you want to cut through stiff metal material correctly and with ease. In that case, there are seven different methods for doing so, such as using a hacksaw, Dremel tool, cutoff wheel, bolt cutter, chisel, hammer, grinder, or plasma cutter.

1. Use a hacksaw

One way to cut steel would be with a hacksaw. A hacksaw consists of a handle, blade, and frame.

The hacksaw blade is typically made of metal with teeth on one side that can be cut through steel.

To use the hacksaw method, you first need to secure the material that needs to be cut into place using clamps or other available methods.

Secondly, you would then take your hacksaw blade and fit it into the hacksaw frame. A screw on one end of the frame allows you to tighten the blade onto the frame so that it does not slip during operation.

You can then use your hands or a pair of vice grips to hold the handle while cutting through the material with your sawing motion.

2. Use a Dremel tool

A Dremel tool is similar to a power drill in appearance, except that it is designed for much finer applications than just drilling holes into material.

This tool can cut through metal, but it requires various types of attachments to do so.

With the proper attachment, a Dremel tool can be sanded, drilled, scraped, and sawed through metal.

The keys to using this tool are having the right type of shaft torque, being aware of heat buildup, and working with tiny bits that snap easily if they become dull.

3. Use a cutoff wheel

A cutoff wheel is another option for making exact cuts through metal.

A cutoff wheel consists of a round cutting bit covered in diamonds or other hard abrasives, which allows it to cut through metal.

A cutoff wheel can be used on a grinder, drill, or belt sander and does not require any additional devices for operation as long as the right amount of pressure is applied with each cut.

4. Use a bolt cutter

A bolt cutter consists of two jaws that are pivotally connected via a handle.

The end closest to your hand is shaped into a sharp point that allows you to puncture through the center of a bolt fully.

It is vital to use enormous pressure on each cut to get the most out of this tool, which can be difficult for some people.

The speed at which the wheel cuts will vary depending on whether or not you have properly aligned jaws with your material.

5. Use a chisel and hammer

A chisel and hammer is another option for cutting through steel. For this process, you would use a chisel to first score each line of the cut you wish to make, followed by striking it with a hammer every few inches along the area that has been scored.

The number of strikes needed can vary depending on how thick your material is; however, you typically recommend keeping the number of strikes between three and five.

This process is time-consuming, especially for larger cuts; however, it is effective.

6. Use a grinder

A grinder is another tool that allows you to make precise cuts through metal, although this one does not require as much manual input beyond turning it on or off.

There are two primary types of grinder: bench and angle Grinders.

A bench grinder is a larger tool with one wheel on the side and another directly below it.

An angle grinder is a smaller tool that consists of a cylindrical body with a small protrusion at the top where you place your material being cut and an angled wheel that spins just below this area.

These two wheels work via friction to help you make cuts through steel or other harder materials such as masonry or granite. The more abrasive the wheel on your grinder is, the faster it will be able to cut through steel.

7. Use a plasma cutter

Each method is helpful for different tasks and may provide better results when compared to the other options available.

This guide is about cutting off toilet tank bolts so they can’t be used again.

If your toilet tank has only one bolt holding it to the flange, then this method is not for you. In this case, you need to replace the entire flange if it has rusted out.

Check More- How to remove Plastic nut from toilet tank

Wrap Up On Rusted Toilet Tank Bolts

It is a trustworthy help to keep your toilet in good shape regularly.

Many people avoid using their toilets as much as possible, allowing them to become clogged and dirty.

If you use the bathroom every time there’s a need, your toilet will remain clean and fully functional.

You’ll also notice any damage before it becomes too severe and difficult to repair.

FAQs

Does wd40 help loosen bolts?

Yes. WD40 very effectively works to loosen bolts. Just spray all over the bolts that rusted and stuck.

The oil present in the WD40 penetrates the rusting particles and offers deep lubrication, melting them. Within a few minutes, you can easily loosen the bolts.

Why do plumbers and most people recommend WD40? Because it is budget-friendly, very effective regardless of how old the rust bolt is, and does not harm the surface you spray.

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