How to Install a Toilet Seat
A Step-by-Step Guide to removing & Replacing

You, among most people, might think it is a bit unusual, however, most, if not all, toilet companies sell their toilets without a seat. 

They simply leave it up to you to buy a seat separately which is an upside when you are considering the option that you could be buying a specific seat of choice from a specialized company without having to be weighed down by the choice made for you by the initial manufacturer.

This and the fact that you might need to change your toilet seat at some point in life are compelling enough reasons to learn how to install a toilet seat or how to remove a toilet seat for that matter.

This is a simple guide that takes you slowly, yet steadily through the process of toilet seat replacement which is actually an easy process.

Soon enough you will able to go into any bathroom stall and mentally replace a toilet seat there as if you were an expert plumber training for the world plumb-lympics.

Here's What You'll Need to replace a toilet seat

Here's what you'll need:

  • New toilet seat: Obviously if you are going to change a toilet seat, then you will need your replacement because a seat is necessary for a toilet. Unless you’re planning to squat.
  • Ruler or measuring tape: Make sure the ruler is long enough to cover the entire length of your toilet seat.
  • Screwdriver: The tip of the screwdriver should match the head of the bolt; allen or cross head, etc.
Equipment and tools
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    Pliers: You’ll need it to stabilize the nut while taking out the bolt.
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    Penetration Oil: In case the bolt gives you a hard time due to rust, this oil will do you a huge favor.

The Steps to installing your new toilet seat

  • Step 1: Measure the size of your toilet seat to make sure it’s the standard size. You’ll want to take note of the distance between the two bolts, the length and width of the seat itself from the widest area.
  • Step 2: Buy a suitable toilet seat that matches those measurements.
  • Step 3: Remove the old seat by unscrewing the two bolts holding it in place. Use the pliers to keep the nut stable as you turn the bolt around until it slips through the nut; if the bolt is stuck against the nut due to a bit of rust, or is giving you a hard time, it is better if you add penetrating oil around the nut and let it sit throughout the night.
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    Step 4: Scrub the surface with baking soda to clean around the holes just in case there is any rust.
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    Step 5: Position the new seat by aligning its two holes directly above the two holes in the toilet, put the bolts through and tighten the nuts by hand. After you reach a point where using your hands is no longer effective, it is time to use a pair of pliers and your screwdriver to finish off the job. Hold the nut in place as you screw the bolt as far as possible into the nut. At the same time, you need to make sure not to go crazy on the tightening because that might cause your porcelain to crack or break which is a very annoying thing to have happen to your toilet.
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    Step 6: In case there are protective caps provided with the bolts, make sure to pop those in place, as well.
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    Step 7: Sit down and see how it feels. Please do not say “drafty” since it is an overused joke that has been milked dry by television series and movies.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to fix a toilet seat is quite an easy task, as this guide have shown you.

However, you just have to keep a few things in mind.

First, always double check your measurements and jot them down on a piece of paper or on your mobile. 

Second, make sure you have the same type of screwdriver tip as your bolt heads for easy screwing and removing.

Third and last, be careful of the fact that you need to keep the bolts tight to avoid the seat sliding around yet, not too tight that the pressure gets to the porcelain and it starts cracking; it’s never fun when that happens.

  • Tim
  • November 11, 2018
Tim
 

Tim has been in the plumbing and home improvement industry in over a decade. His main passion is the bathroom where he loves to get creative within this sector. He spends most of his time writing content about home improvement, DIY and bathroom related topics.

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