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How to improve a cheap toilet fitting
I saved a little bit of money by making do with the cheaper plastic toilet kit that came with the house. A few key additions of sugru and some handywork, and by the time the cure is done, we won't have to keep monkeying around with fixing the toilet every two weeks!
Kit
- White sugru (or mix to match) - 1x5g Pack
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Disinfectant wipes
- A working sink and some soap to wash your hands
Step 1
The hinge is made using cheap plastic bolts that come loose as you see here.
Step 2
The retainer hardware is attached using plastic screws...that also like to come loose. These are the primary focus of this effort, since if they come loose and you lose your balance while on the john, it could result in a very embarrassing injury.
Step 3
Remove the retainer hardware using the flat-head screwdriver. Use the disinfecting wipes to clean them. Alcohol-based disinfectant evaporates quickly, allowing you to be able to apply sugru sooner.
Step 4
This step takes me back to my childhood - make a snake! You'll use your little sugru snake to coat the tops of the plastic lugs that attach to the screws underneath the porcelain.
Step 5
Wrap your sugru snake around the top-side of the lugs. You want to coat the side of the lug that will make contact with the porcelain underneath so that a) the lug can still be unscrewed and b) it will grip the porcelain better than the bare, smooth plastic, allowing you to tighten it without cracking the cheap plastic material.
Step 6
Place the retainer hardware back on the top side of the porcelain, and insert the plastic screw. Underneath, hand-tighten the newly-sugru'ed lugs until the sugru just barely makes contact. Holding the lug in place with one hand, turn the screwdriver to tighten with the other. That way the lug doesn't turn and tear off your beautiful sugru handiwork! Tighten the lug until it's firm, but wait 24 hours to tighten all the way (let the sugru cure first!).
Step 7
The retainer hardware is re-installed. Since you didn't tighten the lugs all the way, you should be able to safely adjust these to fit the lid and ring hardware.
Step 8
As I like to say, "Since we've already popped the hood..." No project should be deemed complete until you've done some custom work of your own! I added quiet bumpers to the ring...
Step 9
...as well as the lid, to eliminate one more thing that goes bump in the night.
Step 10
Enjoy! (And seriously, go wash your hands.)
