With the world advancing, toilets are getting noticeable upgrades when it comes to the outlook. No matter what type of installation you prefer, either a closed-coupled one or a wall-hung design, the throne is not indestructible.
The porcelain or ceramic body is the most durable part, which doesn’t usually require reinstallation in ages, but the seat is something that can be easily tarnished in just a few years.
Do you have a broken toilet seat or a dirty one hooked onto your ceramic throne?
Don’t worry; knowing how to replace or install a toilet seat can help.
With years of expertise in toilets and sanitary work, I have to say that it’s an easy task to re-do the seat if you have a few tricks up your sleeve.
Today I am going to show you how it’s done.
Things You Need to Consider Before Removing the Seat
It’s not wise to dive in straight away and try to unhook the seat from the bowl.
There are many things that you need to look after before going for a change. Here is what you need to do-
1. Care For Hygiene
First things first, you need to clean your toilet properly before laying your hands on its components. There are tons of germs out there on the cover and the bowl area, so go for a thorough clean.
Safety Precautions: Replacing the toilet seat is a safe procedure and doesn’t involve any hazardous aspects. It’s just that you should be careful with the germs, therefore, cleaning the toilet properly is a must.
Make sure you wear nitrile gloves when washing or wiping the toilet seat with solutions.
2. Take Measurements
As you plan to replace the old seat with a new one, it’s wise to measure the seat so that the new one lines up properly.
Toilets come in ranging shapes and sizes, and you need to ensure you have the right replacement.
First, note the distance between the rear bolts that lock the seat. Measure the seat width and then finalize by measuring its length (distance from the center of the bolts to the outer edge of the seat).
3. Select a Replacement
Now that you know the length and width of the old seat, you can go to the home improvement store to grab the ideal fit.
Toilet seats come in various shapes and designs, such as round, elongated, and compact elongated. Grab one that befits your toilet.
Select the color of the seat that complements the toilet and the surrounding environment. You should get a seat that comes with stainless steel hinges to avoid banging noise.
Try to purchase a model that has easy installation and requires minimal tool use.
You can either get a plastic or wooden seat, the choice is yours, but I have to give credit to plastic for its easy-to-clean feature.
Lastly, you would want a versatile seat; if it’s for old people, then the seat can have a sidearm rest and gripping design to avoid slipping.
For kids, you can try the built-in removable seats. Nowadays, you will find seats that offer a heating surface to avoid chills during the winter.
Toilet Seat Removal Process
With a replacement seat in hand, you now need to start undoing the old one.
In general, I would say it’s a convenient task, but it does require some skills around nuts, bolts, and screwdrivers. Follow the serial below for proper uninstallation.
Step -1
To tighten a toilet seat to the bowl, many manufacturers use metal fasteners. In that case, you will have to consider possible corrosion. Water and dampness can make the metal bits rust and, therefore hard to remove.
Use a lubricant to loosen the adamant parts. A plumber’s grease or lubricant, like WD40 will work.
Make sure you apply it and let it sit for some time before putting the screwdriver to work.
Step -2
You might need a drill bit to unfasten the corroded threads.
In most cases, the lubricant will work in removing the hardware, but if it gets out of hand, then take a suitable drill bit to punch a hole in the bolt’s surface.
Using an adjustable wrench, try twisting the nut, the bolt should unwind after a few tries.
Best if you work with a socket wrench that has a deep socket for a convenient grip. Once the bolts snap out, you can easily take off the seat.
Precaution: Make sure you don’t apply excessive force to snap the bolt; the excessive pressure can damage the toilet bowl.
Installing New Seat
Now that you have unearthed the seat from the bowl, it’s time to fit the new one into position. Here is what you need to do.
Follow the Manufacturer’s Guide
Each product is different and has varying setup methods. So it is ideal for you to check the instructions provided by the seat maker to install the seat properly.
Reinstate the Nuts and Bolts
To set up a new seat will need to tighten the bolts and nuts on the toilet bowl. What you need to do is put the bolts in the designated holes on the rear end of the bowl.
Now take an adjustable wrench to tighten the nut that is located under the bowl.
Once the bolts are slotted properly, and the nuts are tightened, the new seat is ready for use. Bingo!
Frequently Asked Questions
· When should I change the seat on my toilet?
Well, there is no time frame for it. Even the best toilet seat can go awry in no time. In most cases, it gets dirty, or sometimes it can show cracks. When you observe these changes, it’s wise to go for a new replacement.
· Can I replace a toilet seat myself?
Yes, you can perform a reinstallation all by yourself. Removing old ones and replacing new seats is a pretty straightforward task. All you need is some form of skillset with the screwdrivers, nuts, and bolts.
· How do you tighten a toilet seat with no visible screws?
Not all seats have visible screw ends, if your toilet comes with concealed fixings, then all you need to do is lift the seat cover and remove the caps to locate the screws. Tighten the screw as needed and then place the cover back in position before reusing the toilet.
· How do I remove old, rusted toilet seat bolts?
When dealing with corroded metal parts, it’s wise to use a plumber’s grease or WD-40 to loosen the rusty elements. Give the chemical some time to work before unfastening the bolts. If you fail, you might need to use a drill bit to break into the bolt.
Conclusion
I hope this article on how to replace or install a toilet seat turns out to be helpful for you. Working on a toilet seat is not rocket science, and you can easily dismantle the seat and apply a new one on your own.
Whatever you do, I would suggest you wear protective gloves as there are chances of bacterial contamination from the toilet area.
Always clean the toilet and the seat properly before performing any replacement task. Good luck!
