Toilet seat replacement is a relatively easy task that requires little time and effort. On the one hand, you might be able to do it yourself. On the other hand, if you ask a professional to replace a toilet seat, the price of this service should be very affordable. In this article, we’ll share a comprehensive guide on changing a toilet seat for dummies.
Is It Necessary to Replace a Toilet Seat?
Normally, people decide to change toilet seat in the following situations:
- There are cracks on the seat or it is broken
- The fixtures are gone and the seat wobbles and moves around
- You want to refresh the look of your bathroom
A properly installed toilet can last you for decades. It will always look nice if you regularly clean it and update the seat from time to time.
What Tools Do I Need For Changing a Toilet Seat?
The following tools are required for toilet seat installation:
- Pliers
- Flathead screwdriver
- A small hacksaw — you might need it only in the case your seat is old and remains stuck after you try to loosen the nuts
Plus, you might need to purchase the parts that you’ll need to attach the seat. Some seats can come with kits to attach to them but that’s not always the case.
Toilet Seat Replacement Guide
Before we explain how to install toilet seat, let’s remind you of the essential hygiene measures:
- Consider cleaning the seat before you start the work as well as cleaning the toilet after removing the seat
- Put on rubber gloves
- Use an anti-bacterial spray in the process of work
- Apply an anti-bacterial handwash on your skin once the repairs are over
Now, let’s focus on the sequence of actions that you should take.
1. Measure a Toilet Seat
To identify the right size for your new toilet seat, you should take the following measurements:
- The distance between the fixing holes
- The width of the toilet bowl at its widest point
- The length from the front of the bowl back to the two seat-fixing holes
You might be able to adjust a new seat to any bowl shape. However, some seats might fit only their specific measurements.
2. Choose a New Toilet Seat
In online and offline shops, you’ll most frequently come across toilet seats of the following shapes:
- Pointed-nose
- Round-nose
- D-shape
When looking for a new seat, you might want to check first what the original manufacturer of your toilet offers.
3. Remove an Old Toilet Seat
Usually, seats are attached to the toilet with fittings, held together by two bolts. The bolts are often covered with plastic caps. To be able to remove them, you might need to crouch or get on the floor and do the following:
- Remove the plastic caps with a flathead screwdriver. If the seat is old, you might need to make an effort. Try to be careful and not damage the toilet.
- Loosen the wingnuts that hold the seat in place with pliers. The wingnuts might be made of either plastic or metal. Then, remove them by hand.
- Unscrew the seat with a screwdriver. If it’s stiff or rusted, lubricate it and wait for approximately 10 minutes. If the seat remains stuck, consider using a small hacksaw to carefully saw it off. Depending on the type of seat, this step might be excessive.
That’s it! Now, let’s concentrate on how to put a toilet seat on.
4. Put a New Toilet Seat On
Typically, a new seat should include an assembly instruction. The process of fitting it should normally be the reverse of the removal. Line up and attach the new fittings by slotting the bolts through the toilet fixing holes. When you realize that the seat sits evenly on the perimeter of the toilet bowl, you should center it. Try to take a seat to test whether that is indeed the right position.
5. Attach a New Toilet Seat
Secure the nuts with the help of pliers — but don’t tighten them too much, or they might snap. Cover the nuts with plastic caps and push them down on the bolts. That’s it!
Hopefully, this article came in handy and now you better understand how to replace toilet seat! It might seem like an easy task — but you might not want to do it yourself if you lack time or skills. In this case, feel free to call Emergency Plumbing USA!
You might want to use our services for the following reasons:
- We’re an established company with an impeccable reputation
- All our contractors have a license and large experience in plumbing
- Our plumbers will bring all the necessary tools with them
- They know how to handle toilets and other units of any brand and type
- We keep our prices at an affordable level
- Before we start the work, we’ll provide you with a free estimate
- Once the work is finished, we’ll give you a warranty
- You can call us 24/7
We’ll be glad to help you with any type of plumbing task. For instance, you might have a toilet clog that you can’t get rid of with the help of a plunger. Or, you might need to install, replace or repair a kitchen sink. Or, your faucet is leaking or there is no water in your dishwasher. Get in touch with us and we’ll send a plumber to your house as soon as possible!
