How tight should the tank be attached to the toilet?

Question

I recently replaced an old leaky toilet with an American Standard Champion 4 model.  I'm a pretty competent DIY'er but am a bit concerned about how tightly to run down the through bolts that attach the tank to the toilet bowl.

The instructions say, and I quote:  "With the tank parallel to wall, alternately tighten hex nuts until tank is snugged down evenly against bowl surface."

OK, here's my concern.  If it's overtightened you risk breaking a new $300 toilet.  But the rubber gasket is fairly tightly compressed and the tank is not yet touching the lands on the back of the toilet bowl.  It's tilted slightly forward (about 1/8" inch space between the rear lands than the front one where the tank is touching the bowl) but does not wiggle with moderate pressure.  Everything works fine, no leaks, etc.  But it just looks like it's not tightened down enough.

Do I risk breaking the new toilet by carefully running the nuts even tighter until the rear of the tank rests on the lands on the back of the bowl?  (A test fit without the gasket had the tank squarely on the toilet bowl.)  Or should I leave it as is since everything works properly even though the tank IS still tilted slightly forward?

Any guidance from experienced plumbers is greatly appreciated.

Anonym · Accepted Answer

I've always snugged the tank until it just touches the porcelain and never had one break (I've installed hundreds of toilets).  If you're concerned, you can put rubber at the contact points & snug until that touches.

If you don't snug it all the way down, the tank will rock on the bowl.

da boomp · Answer

Gaijin knows better than I do and others may help more.  My experience is usually limited to, well, if it works, don't mess with it.  In general, if there is no leak at the gasket, snug things up and don't overtighten.

Gaijin mentions rotating the gasket which may be a good idea.  Since you're a good DIY, all it would cost you is to shut off the water, drain the tank and go again tightening carefully.  Good idea Gaijin.

Just from my experience (house full of people, kids), if you try it again, maybe start from the wall side and try drawing it to the front but don't go too far past comfortably snug without reason.

By the way, parallel to the wall (tank) does not necessarily mean perpendicular to the floor (the bowl.). 

I've had to tweak things many times, mostly due to the grandkids practicing their potty training or crawling all over the toilet to play in the sink.

By the way, after the kids, I've been able to get away with a piece of packing foam taped to the back of the tank to keep it square.   It's easier to shim it out from the wall than the other way.

Since it's working... is it awkward or comfortable to sit on?  If it's okay, just tape a piece of styrofoam between the wall and the back of the tank.  Works for me.

Hopefully, an experienced plumber can provide better advice.  I tried.

Anonym · Answer

The system needs to breathe, The septic doesn't have to be vented itself to work, but the system does. This is why houses have vents through the roof, they are vented always uphill of the drains. If this cabin has a space where you can get to the pipes, splice in or tee into the line in which the toilet drains into and run a 1 1/2" or 2" line out and up the side of the cabin because at times when it vents the smell will come out. They make flapper vents which some put on sinks to do this, but for this situation it would smell. Will cure the problem. Most septic tanks vent through the roof this way, or there would be a standpipe in the yard.

bellas · Answer

American Standard Toilet Tanks

Gaijin · Answer

Ran into the same problem except mine is against the wall,not tilted forward.Couldn't get the tank flush with the bowl surface so brought it down to what I thought was safe.If it loosens later,can always tighten it some more.the tank tilting forward isn't good.leaning against it over time will loosen it.Wonder if you can spin the gasket 180 degrees,might level the tank so it's against the wall.The plastic piece that goes through the gasket could be crooked or the hole that it sets in isn't kosher.

Kyle C · Answer

Try rotating the gasket under the tower 180 and if that doesn't work think of it like this. You can tighten a bolt for free once a week when you do your thorough bathroom cleaning. Can you afford a $300.00 Toilet again?

? · Answer

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BrianK · Answer

I have noticed the same thing with American Standard toilets. The instructions say to tighten it until the porcelain touches, but I stopped because I m afraid its going to break.

Anonym · Answer

sounds like you just have to loosen front tank bolts and re tighten back ones until level . The tank & bowl don't need to be touching  , just so the tank feels sturdy and cant be twisted it  will be fine !

? · Answer

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How tight should the tank be attached to the toilet?

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