How to Remove a Toilet Tank With a Socket Wrench
Sometimes it is better to use a socket wrench to remove the toilet tank from your toilet because of the limited area in which to work. The toilet flange is molded in a way that prevents obtaining a good grip around the toilet tank securing nuts with a standard wrench. A socket wrench works well in this case because the socket fits into the small area and the handle of the socket wrench is away from the toilet flange, allowing you to turn the nut. Removing a toilet tank with a socket wrench is still the same process as if you were using a standard wrench. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Towels
- Wrench
- Large flat-head screwdriver
- 9/16-inch or 1/2-inch socket
- Socket wrench
Instructions
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1
Turn off the water supply to the toilet. The water supply valve is behind the toilet between the house line coming out of the wall and the line going to the bottom of the toilet tank.
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2
Take the lid off the tank, and flush the toilet. Hold the flush lever down until nearly all of the water is out of the tank. Soak up the remaining water in the tank with towels.
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3
Twist the water line connector on the bottom of the toilet tank counterclockwise with your hand. If you have a plastic tube or copper tube as a water line, loosen the connecting nut with a wrench to disconnect the water line from the tank.
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4
Place a large flat-head screwdriver into the slotted head of one of the tank bolts inside the bottom of the tank. The tank bolt heads are near the flush valve on the bottom of the tank.
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5
Loosen the tank bolt nut below the tank with a socket wrench and socket. Do not allow the handle of the socket wrench to bang against the outside of the toilet bowl when loosening the nut. Once the nut is loose, continue turning it counterclockwise with your fingers until it is off the bolt.
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6
Repeat for the remaining toilet tank bolt. Once both nuts are off the toilet tank bolts, lift the tank off the toilet.
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Tips & Warnings
Some manufacturers use three toilet tank bolts to secure the tank to the toilet.
