INSIDE & OUT : The Nuts and Bolts of Toilet Fastenings

Q. I’m planning on remodeling my downstairs bathroom, and I’ll be replacing the toilet. I’m concerned because one of the bolts that holds the old toilet down is broken and stripped. I’d like to replace the bolt, but how do I do that since I have a concrete slab and I assume it’s set in concrete?

B.H., Fullerton

A. The bolt is probably not set in concrete, says Ted Blanke of Central Plumbing & Heating in La Habra. In some very old houses, you might find a toilet that’s held down by four bolts and the front two bolts might be set into a concrete subfloor. However, most modern toilets are kept in place with two bolts near the back. These are set into indentations in the closet ring and can be pulled out and replaced. Many times you’ll find replacement bolts that come with the wax sealing rings that you’ll use when you set the new toilet into place.

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Q. I have laminated countertops in my bathrooms and kitchen, and they have become badly scratched. Is there anything I can do to improve their appearance?

R.N., Lake Forest

A. Unfortunately, not much can be done to effectively fill gouges in a surface like that, says Rich Haagsma of Faucets ‘n Fixtures in Orange. A laminated top is simply a thin layer of plastic that’s adhered to a wood surface. Once you scratch that plastic or go beyond it into the wood, you’re not going to make much of a repair.

Cultured marble counter tops have a resin base with a thin gel coat surface and can be fixed by having a professional come into your home and apply a new gel coat finish. However, I’d check into replacing your counters before paying to repair them. In some cases, it may be cheaper to do just that.

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Q. We wallpapered our bathroom over the summer, and while it looks good, there’s one thing that bothers me. At each seam, there’s a tiny thin strip of white that marks the end of each roll. In other homes, I’ve seen similar paper that’s been hung almost seamlessly. How do they do it?

N.M., Anaheim Hills

A. You’ve probably used a darker wallpaper, says paper hanger Gary Woods of Santa Ana. With darker paper, the end of the roll can look very light. One trick you may want to try on your next job is to take a colored felt-tip marker that is close to the color of the paper and color the edge while it’s still rolled up. This will help blend it in and keep you from seeing that white seam.

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Q. I’ve been seeing a lot of these sanding sponges. Are they just as effective as sandpaper when preparing something to paint?

D.S., Orange

A. They’re a very good alternative to sandpaper, because they conform to the surface you’re working on, says Joe Ragsdale of Color Center in La Mirada. Sandpaper can be stiff, and it will tear while you’re sanding. The sponges are soft yet very durable, and like a cloth, they’ll form around an intricate piece of wood or metal, and you’ll get a better job. Plus, you can wash them out and reuse them.

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Q. Is there a better way to cut ceramic tile that needs to be fitted around door jambs than with tile nippers? When I used them I end up with a lot of broken tiles.

S.Y., Placentia

A. Tile nippers never seem to give you the clean cut you get with a tile saw, says Gloria Richey of Tile Importers in Anaheim. Many rental yards have tile saws, and with a little practice you could get a perfect edge for every tile. Or, if you didn’t want to go to that expense, try using the nippers to shape the tile so that it fits, then smooth off the edge with a bench grinder.