[stormincn]

Hi:

My husband and I are DIY newbies. We just attempted to replace a 70 year old leaky toilet in time for 1st holiday fam visit only to incur new problems. For one, the water supply stem is leaking (right around where knob connects to the stem)! Never done this before. To boot, the tank to our new fancy kohler 2 piece toilet pitches forward sharply. My husband claims that there isn't another option... he "tried to fix it and water came out of the bottom of the tank." Is this right? Please help some bereft home repair novices in time for the holidays :)

[speedball1]

Just below the knob on the angle stop,( toilet shut off) you will see a nut. This is the bonnet packing nut. Open the valve all the way up and then back it off 1/2 turn. Now slowly tighten the nut until the leak stops. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN! Stop tightening when the leak stops.

Who installed the toilet? Is it still under warranty? I would call the installer back and have him correct the problem.
However, if that's not possible then shut the water off and drain and sponge out the tank. Now loosen the tank bolts, ( the brass bolts next to the flapper at the bottom of the tank) and set the tank in a upright position.
Most tanks have two bolts but some have four. WARNING! DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN! The china tank is very brittle and will crack easily. Tighten the tank bolts down evenly, a few turns at a time. The tank wants to have just a tad of give. Stop tightening when the tank has about 1/4 to 3/8" rock to it.
If you tighten it down to where it doesn't give a little, the next time someone leans back against it it will put a strain on the china where the bolts go through and you stand a good chance of cracking the tank.
Hope this helps and good luck. Tom

[labman]

The leaky valve is simple enough, just tighten the nut up a little. If that doesn't seem to do it, you may need to shut the valve off, remove the nut, clean the stem, and add some packing. A good hardware store will help you find packing.

I don't understand the tank. There should be a gasket and tightening the tank down should leave it upright. I would take it apart, and see if the gasket is folded over or distorted. You may be able to buy another where you bought the fixture.

[stormincn]

Thank you, tom! We'll try all of the advice. Unfortunately, we were the ones to install it. Blame it on the amatuers :) to do a bad job. Will try to right the pitch ourselves and then approach the manufacturer if that doesn't work

As far as the stem on the valve goes, it's really old (probably as ancient as the toilet... 70 years old that is). We attempted to tighten the bolt and it made it worse. Perhaps we overtightened?

Again, thanks!

[stormincn]

Thank you too labman! Good suggestions. Will try those too.

[speedball1]

The angle stop can be replaced. If your place is that old then you have galvanized pipes,( or if repiped then copper). If galvanized then you need a 1/2"Female thread X 1/4"compression angle stop. If copper geta 1/2 X1/4" compression angle stop. Use the same chrome supply tube and compression nut and ferral to connect the tank back up. Good luck, Tom

[stormincn]

It worked, it worked... it all worked!! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and happy holidays. We never would have tried this without your encouragement... would have just called a plumber right off the bat. Again, thanks!

[speedball1]

Thank you for the kind words. That's why we're here. I know Labman joins me in wishing you and yours a very merry christmas and a happy new year.
Tom