how do you remove a well grouted toilet?

[stanman37]

I'm trying to remove a toilet to replace a bad wax ring for a friend. Did several in my life but this toilet was put in over an uneven tiled floor with much grout. Thought it was just around the perimeter but after scraping with a carbide tipped scraper, light chiseling and finally drilling with a masonry bit, I find I'm going in a good inch and still not breaking through and the unevenness goes from about 1/4 inch to flat to the floor. Tried rocking the toilet, bumping it mildly from the sides, sawing what I could reach with a carbide hacksaw blade and the thing seems solid as a rock - not even a hint of movement, yet it is leaking from under the back. Don't want to chisel too hard as I'm afraid of breaking the toilet and it's a better quality, 1 piece unit. Any tricks? Any input as to how much shock from chiseling a toilet could take before it cracks? I gave up for now but figure'd I'd ask.

 

[hj]

toilet

I usually get them loose by kicking them with the bottom of my foot. The number if hits with a chisel before cracking the toilet can range from "one very light one" to "a couple of fairly moderate" ones by it depends on how and where it is hit. You will not know which applies to your toilet until you try it and it cracks, therefore DO NOT use a hammer and chisel directly against the toilet.

 

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[Gary Swart]

I just watched an Infomercial about the Fein Multimaster tool. Not suggesting you spend the big bucks for one just to do this job, but it sure looks like if you had one, that would make quick work of that grout.

 

[stanman37]

Yes, I also thought of the fein or the similar but cheaper dremel model but they would only help in the thicker part and only so deep. I'm surprised people use grout. It's tough stuff. I only used plumbers putty or caulk myself. I guess the "kick" would be the best thing to try with a soft shoe. They decided to put it off til after the holidays in case it cracks, they want to special order a color so I won't find out how well that will work just yet, but thanks for the advice.