How to remove toilet with stuck floor screw

Discussion in 'Plumbers' Talk' started by Movieman334, Apr 14, 2021.

  1. Movieman334

    Movieman334 Active Member

  2. candoabitofmoststuff

    candoabitofmoststuff Screwfix Select

    Well the most important thing is to have a PROPERLY fitting screwdriver, the right size.
    It looks like it might be a little chewed up already... I'd get a little lube of some kind down there... and be patient!

    Cando
     
    Movieman334 likes this.
  3. just pumps

    just pumps Screwfix Select

    Dont use a power tool.
     
  4. FlyByNight

    FlyByNight Screwfix Select

    Make sure you use a real POZI screwdriver of a decent brand and neither a cheap one or a Philips.

    Push in hard as you try to turn and also try tightening too.
     
  5. DIYDave.

    DIYDave. Screwfix Select

    Is it a brass screw ? Often are (or stainless steel) so don’t rust

    If brass, the head will shear off easily from the shank, all good, then lift pan up over screw

    Can then remove what’s left with pincers / pliers / or bend and snap

    Head doesn’t look too bad, more likely the thread has corroded and stuck to timber

    Are you planning on reusing the toilet ?
     
  6. Red Star Boats

    Red Star Boats Active Member

    Agree with FBN, try tightening first, but be careful there looks to be no plastic washer and you don’t want to crack the pottery.
    If you can get it to move a quarter turn tighter it often cracks the hold and let’s you reverse out, otherwise progressively larger drill bits until the head of the screw is reduced enough to lift it free then mole grips.
     
  7. just pumps

    just pumps Screwfix Select

    How you going to fit a new screw there if you dont remove the threaded section?
     
  8. FlyByNight

    FlyByNight Screwfix Select

    That looks like typical "Yellowed" steel rather than brass. How many times do you find pans screwed down or cisterns screwed to the wall with mild steel or yellow chromated screws that have corroded! Urine does a great job of starting corrosion!
     
  9. DIYDave.

    DIYDave. Screwfix Select

    I’ve given the OP 2 methods to remove the screw if it snaps, as we know, there are others -

    We also don’t know if same toilet is being refitted ? If new toilet, the footprint will differ so new screw positions

    Is same toilet and screw snaps in floor, screw can be budged a mm to miss existing screw

    Have you ever had to fit something in an exact position where one of the screws snaps in wall ?
     
  10. DIYDave.

    DIYDave. Screwfix Select

    Yeah maybe, couldn’t work it out on my phone, no idea if regular steel screw or a ‘gold screw’ type thing

    As I said, threads will be stuck to timber with a mix of urine and corrosion - it’s powerful stuff ! :eek:
     
    Movieman334 likes this.
  11. Abrickie

    Abrickie Screwfix Select

    Hacksaw blade in between pan and vinyl, and cut the screw :rolleyes:
     
    jimbobby likes this.
  12. If the toilet is being disposed off, tap the ceramic around the screw with a hammer to break around the screw, then undo the screw with grips. Wear goggles and be careful of sharp edged
     
  13. Movieman334

    Movieman334 Active Member

    Hi guys sorry maybe I should have given you more information in the original post ideally I would like to keep the toilet but if it has to be broken then it has to be broken to get it out

    I have tried tightening and even moving the toilet sideways and up and down a little bit to train we did get out the problem is not the grip it's that the screw simply won't budge and that includes tightening and trying to unscrew is just totally jammed in
     
  14. DIYDave.

    DIYDave. Screwfix Select

    As RS Boats said above - drill the head of the screw away so your just left with the shank

    Use decent HSS drill bits, cutting fluid or paste if your bothered and work up the drill sizes. Protect the porcelain around screw with layers of masking tape or gaffer tape - that way if bit slips, bit of cushioning

    Will all be fine, just depends on quality of drill bits and how hard the screw is

    Once head drilled and toilet removed, several options to remove what’s left of screw - or at least have a try
     
    Movieman334 likes this.
  15. FlyByNight

    FlyByNight Screwfix Select

    Start with a 1-1.5mm drill into the centre of the cross, then a sharp 3mm - have it running in the drill as you introduce the hole. Go maybe5mm deep. Then move to a 5mm and that should be enough to break through and you will get a steel ring on the drill bit and just the shank remaining. Lift WC away and then mole grips to remove te shank.
     
    Deleted member 246321 likes this.
  16. jimbobby

    jimbobby Screwfix Select

    BY look of it, screws appears to be going in more horizontally so might there be one of those plastic blocks used inside the pan base ?
    Might be worth considering seeing where the boards are nailed and use a whizzer saw to cut boards either side of pan, lift and make good after ?
    J
     
  17. Any movement on toilet? U could use a multi tool slid under the pan to cut the screw?
     
  18. just pumps

    just pumps Screwfix Select

    In which I cant see plastic stopping the screw being removed.
     
  19. Almost certainly not a pan with the plastic fixing bracket
     
  20. just pumps

    just pumps Screwfix Select

    Might need a long blade looking at the angle of the screw.
     
    Deleted member 246321 likes this.

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