An easy-to-follow step-by-step guide on how to fit a toilet seat. Toilet seats that are loose or wobbly can be a nightmare to repair, and sometimes even impossible.
So, if you’ve already tried to repair your toilet seat, given up and bought a replacement we are here to help you with the installation.
Don’t worry – this is a relatively easy process and to make it even simpler, we have a video demonstration – We’re too good to you, we know!
What Tools Do I Need To Replace a Toilet Seat?
To replace your toilet seat with ease, there are three things you will need:
- Adjustable wrench or set of pliers to remove nuts that secure the seat to toilet, more likely than not, these will be wingnuts.
- Flathead screwdriver to remove plastic caps that cover the nuts.
- A Tape Measure
More often than not, if you buy a toilet seat from us, it should arrive with a kit to attach it and therefore have the bits you need to replace it. However, if you are simply just replacing the fittings you will need to buy the parts yourself.
It’s important to mention that some newer toilets may not come with traditional screw on seats but instead have a slot-in design, please check the style before purchasing a replacement (if you haven’t already).
How To Measure a Toilet Seat?
Before removing the old toilet seat, you will need to take measurements to ensure you choose the correct size for your new seat.
Are toilet seats one standard size?
No there isn’t a one size fits all standard when it comes to toilet seats. With a variety of styles, wooden toilet seat options, shapes and sizes comes a multitude of seat sizes. It’s extremely important to measure your current seat before replacing and make sure you make note of the shape.
Shape-wise there is three main styles available:
· Curve toilet seat
· D- Shape toilet seat
· Square Toilet seat
Now, on to measuring your toilet seat, you can find out how to do this the correct way below.
Round Toilet Seat
D-shaped Toilet Seat
Square Toilet Seat
How To Measure Your Toilet Seat
There are three measurements that you will need to take – the length, width and height.
How to measure the length? – measure from the fixing holes in the toilet to the front edge of the pan.
How to measure the width? – measure the diameter from edge to edge.
How to measure the height? – measure the distance between the holes to the cistern.
We would recommend purchasing a soft close toilet seat, a great way to put a stop to the awful bang every time the seat is closed.
What Size Is An Average Toilet Seat?
Measure the length of the toilet bowl from between the seat bolts to the edge of the bowl. A standard size, round bowl dimensions should be about 16.5 inches.
The distance between the fixing holes should be a standard measurement of 155mm on average. Seats with a rounded front measure approximately 41.2cm in lenght, while an elongated loo seat typically measures around 46.3cm long.
How do I Remove A Toilet Seat?
Step 1. How do I remove a toilet seat?
Your old toilet seat will most likely be connected to the toilet pan with fittings that are held together by two bolts hidden by plastic caps found at the back of the seat. You might need to get on the floor for this part to access the plastic caps.
Use a flat-head screwdriver to carefully remove the plastic caps. Once the caps have been removed, you will then see the bolts, which will be held tightly by two nuts that are more than likely made from plastic but can be made from metal, depending on the age of the toilet.
These nuts are often plastic but may be made from metal – depending on the age of the seat.
Use your pliers to loosen the nuts, and then remove them by hand.
Keep the nuts in place with pliers, and then unscrew the bolts with a screwdriver.
Once the bolts are unscrewed, the seat should easily lift away. If the seat is super old, there is a chance that it is extremely rusted and may be a little harder to lift away on its own.
This is where WD-40 is your best friend. Give the nuts a few sprays and let it lubricate for 5-10 minutes before lifting the seat away.
Step 2. Clean The Area
Now that you’ve removed the old seat, give the area that was previously hidden beneath the bolts a thorough clean with some anti-bacterial spray.
Make sure the area is dry before fitting the new toilet seat.
Step 3. Fitting The New Toilet Seat
With the old seat removed and the area clean, it’s time to fit the new toilet seat – yay! Your toilet seat should be supplied with fittings and instructions from the manufacturer, making things much easier, so make sure to assemble them first.
Connect the fittings provided by the manufacturer and tighten up the nuts on the bolts – don’t over tighten them, as it’s likely they will need adjusting once you’ve fitted the seat.
You can now position the toilet seat over the pan and line up the fittings. The seat sits central to the bowl, and then you can tighten the nuts once everything is in the correct position. If your toilet seat fittings include a rubber washer, place them between the nut and toilet, they will act as a cushion for added durability.
Now secure the seat to the toilet.
That’s it, you have now successfully fitted your new toilet seat to the toilet.
Looking for a new toilet? Check out our toilet buying guide.
Toilet Seat FAQ’s
Why Should I Replace My Toilet Seat?
If you think your toilet seat needs replacing, then it probably does. There are several reasons why it’s time to get rid of the old seat.
You should consider replacing your toilet seat if it is cracked, loose or wobbly when sat on the toilet, heavily stained or chipped or, you’re just looking for a new style.
Do All Toilet Seats Fit the Same?
Not all toilet seats fit the same. This is because there isn’t one standard size, seats are available in a number of styles and sizes to fit different toilet bowl shapes.
How to tighten a toilet seat?
You will need a
· Screwdriver
· Wrench (adjustable or standard will be fine)
· Pliers
Firstly, you need to open the hinge caps located on the toilet seat bolt. If your seat is wonky/ out of alignment adjust accordingly. Hold the seat in place and look under the the toilet bowl. If the seat bolts are attached by wing nuts, use your screwdriver to hold the bolt in place whilst tightening the wing nuts.
Be careful not to over tighten the wing nuts as this brake the bolt. Once tightened close the hinge caps.
Looking For A New Toilet Seat?
Explore the Big Bathroom Shop range of designer inspired toilet seats. Most of our toilet sears feature soft close hinges to prevent those annoy accidental slams and bangs.
Browse square and round shapes with ivory, walnut, white, wood finish options. Designed to be easy to fit and built to last, you also have hinge finish options to match your bathroom brassware.
John has a background in sports journalism, and lists content writing amongst his primary passions. He provides expert bathroom trends commentary and analysis, as well as offering meticulously researched answers to the most frequently asked bathroom posers.
