How to Install a New Toilet Seat

Replacing Your Toilet Seat

You may not think about your toilet seat very often, but when it does come up, it’s usually because there’s a problem. There are several reasons why you need to know how to install a new toilet seat.

Toilet seats can crack, leading to pinching in sensitive places. You may also want a quick pick-me-up for your bath décor. You’ll find decorative and even humorous toilet seats to consider.

Replacing Your Toilet Seat

Fortunately, installing a new toilet seat is one of the easiest DIY projects you can do.

Installation tools

You’ll need a few common tools to install your new toilet seat, including:

  1. Measuring tape

  2. Flat head screwdriver

  3. Adjustable wrench

Other helpful tools include WD40 or lubricating oil and a pair of pliers

Measure the bowl

The trickiest part of installing a new toilet seat is making sure you get the right kind. Toilet seats are pretty standardly sized, but you can measure the distance between the bolt holes to make sure they match the new seat.

Buy a new seat

Toilet bowls can be round or elongated. These aren’t interchangeable, so make sure you buy the right shape. Elongated toilets are oval-shaped, while round toilets have, of course, rounded bowls.

Remove the existing seat

Look for the bolts on the back of the old seat above the hinge where it attaches to the rear of the bowl by the tank. Pop off any plastic caps if they’re still there.

Under the lip of the bowl, you’ll find the nuts that hold the seat to the bowl. Use a wrench or pliers to turn the nut while holding the bolt in place with the screwdriver.

If it’s stuck, the WD40 or lubricating oil helps loosen it. Unscrew and remove the nut from the bolts on both sides of the seat. Pull up the old seat, including the bolts holding it to the bowl and discard.

Clean the bowl

Oftentimes, gunk and loose hair can embed under the bolts and hinges, so give the whole bowl a good scrub and allow it to dry completely before adding the new seat.

Install the new toilet seat

Place the new seat on the bowl, aligning the bolt holes at the back of the toilet. Insert the bolts, then reach under the toilet and install the nuts onto the bolts.

Once you have both bolt and nut pairs inserted and threaded, you can tighten them further while holding the seat in place.

Snappy New Toilet Seat

A new toilet seat is a quick way to freshen the look of your bathroom. A new toilet can also put new life into your bath décor. However, it can be a difficult task unless you’re very strong and pretty handy.

Make an appointment today with the pros at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Nashville for toilet or sink installation for a brand-new look in your bathroom.