This is one of my favorite Handyman Tips for installing a toilet. One of the biggest problems many DIY’ers have when installing a toilet is keeping the T-head bolts turned properly so that the head is perpendicular to the toilet flange. However, sometimes when installing the toilet itself, or when tightening the bolts, they turn on you and you’re left wondering if the “T” is turned the proper way.
Sometimes you won’t know if the T is turned the right way until you start tightening the bolt and it pulls up through the slot in the flange. This can prevent you from getting a tight fit for the toilet on the flange.
But here’s a quick way to make sure those darn T head bolts are turned the right way. Before installing the bolts, take a Sharpie or other permanent magic marker and mark a line on the end of the bolt running the same way as the T. Then, if the bolt turns you’ll know it and can turn it back the right way. Now you’ll never have to wonder if that bolt is really turned perpendicular to the flange when you’re installing a toilet!
