Originally Posted by
Joe Griffin
What I mostly found is corroded and broken jonnie bolts,
Which means they did not use stainless steel bolts or brass bolts, as should have been used. Not a problem with having two bolts. By the way, old, old, old, toilets did come with 4 bolts for securing them down.
or toilets which have just come loose because these inferior bolts have become loose due to the weight, movement, stress and strain of toilets,
The bolts don't come loose due to weight, stress or strain. Again, *IF*, if the toilet is set stable and level, and the bolts are tightened properly, they will be sufficient.
Let's look at the bolts and washers. I have yet to see bolts and washers which can not slide out of place when lowering the toilet into place. Some people are not experienced enough to know the bolts have slid out of the "track" and tighten them anyway.
Again, not a bolt problem, and installer problem.
Which by the way, are not fixed in place at all, and can actually move quite easily out of place if the toilet is bumped accidently.
They are in slots to allow the toilet to be aligned properly. Once tightened, they should stay put.
I say again, poor fastening design is to blame for most loose toilets.
No, all the other problems you mentioned are the cause of loose bolts.
Look at the size and weight of some of these toilets today, and just two small bolts to hold it forever? Never happen.
The larger and heavier the toilets are, the less need for strong bolts. All the bolts do is hold it in place. The more it weighs, the more it is likely to stay in place by itself, un-bolted even. Does a large heavy rock need to be bolted down to keep you from moving it with your foot? Nope.
We will just keep ruining ceilings and floors until a better design comes around. The caulking helps, but is not the final solution.
The reason for the caulking is to keep *other* water out from under the bowl base. The *waste* water is in the bowl, trap, and pipe.
There really is *no* substitute for setting a toilet stable, level, and secure - using the bolts which comes with it (provided the floor flange is properly secured down, of course).