Bolts must be set at exactly nine o’clock and three o’clock before placing a toilet to ensure even seating and accessible hardware.

When installing a toilet, align the flange bolt slots so the bolts sit at right and left positions relative to the bowl and centerline. Use bolt positioning washers or nylon spacers to hold each bolt vertical and centered in its slot while you place the wax ring and lower the bowl. Confirm alignment by gently lowering the toilet onto the flange until the base touches the wax ring, then lift slightly to verify bolts still sit at right and left positions and that the bowl clears the horn without disturbing the seal. If the wax ring shifts under pressure, remove the bowl, reposition the ring or use a spacer ring designed for positioning, then try again. Tighten the nuts gradually and evenly, alternating sides so the bowl compresses straight down and does not rock, stopping when the base touches the floor and the bowl is secure but not overcompressed. Finally, trim or fold excess bolt length and install caps so the hardware remains accessible for maintenance.

Common mistakes are setting bolts too close to the front or back which causes the bowl to cant or gaps that let the seal fail; correct this by sliding bolts into the flange slots to the right and left positions before putting the wax in. Another frequent issue is relying on hand pressure only and then over‑torquing nuts which cracks porcelain; avoid that by hand tightening first, then using a wrench in small incremental turns until snug and checking for level as you go. A third concern is wax ring displacement when lowering the bowl; prevent that by holding the bowl above the flange, lowering straight down with guidance on both sides, and verifying bolt position one last time before letting full weight rest on the seal.

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