I love looking in a bathroom, seeing a creative toilet installation, and imagining the contractor's conversation - Biff, "Should we screw it or glue it?" Boff, "Aw, screw it. Just glue it!"
When you go into a bathroom adorned with new vinyl flooring, and see the toilet set up on shims, with the cap stuck up with a really long screw and the toilet wobbles dramatically, you know you are dealing with creativity!
There's simply no other word for it.
Imagine people using this toilet for a while!
In no time it will be cracked, or leaking, or whatever.
Properly installed would mean there is a new flange attached securely to the sub floor with four stainless steel screws.
Inserted into pre-cut slots are two brass bolts which penetrate the base of the toilet to anchor it to that flange with washers and nuts.
That connection is covered with a little plastic cap.
The base of the toilet is flush against the floor, and it does not wobble.
That's in a perfect world.
That's in the world of the professional plumber.
The basement is unfinished under this toilet. I could hardly wait to have a look!
I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED!
This is as cute as it gets!
Poly foam! The new duct tape!
I see no screws anywhere! Does that mean there is no flange?
How was that toilet installed?
Did Biff and Boff literally glue it down with poly foam?
I have been doing home inspections a couple of days.
Since 1981 actually.
It's fair to inform you that this is a new one for me!
We don't need no stinkin' duct tape! We don't need no stinkin' drywall screws!
We got us some poly foam!
And once you go poly foam you don't go back.
After all, why would you!
This house was remodeled for resale. It's one thing to do this for yourself, trying to fix something that's wrong without really knowing how to fix it. And this is what you and your buddy come up with.
But this is a new toilet, in a "remodeled" bathroom, and this installation is intended for resale! They want someone to buy this! This is not a repair - IT'S NEW WORK!
My recommendation: sometimes people look at things without realizing how far out of the realm of propriety they are, and get brought crashing down when a home inspector points it out to them. A repair here, a new installation there, and most people think the house is updated and new. Often times it is not. OK, Biff and Boff updated and made new the bathroom toilet. But not in a way that makes sense, professionally or otherwise. Remember to get a home inspection...
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