Introduction
Replacing a toilet seat is an easy DIY project that can quickly update the look of your bathroom. With a few simple tools and a little know-how, you can swap out a worn or damaged toilet seat for a brand new one in less than an hour.
A new toilet seat not only improves the appearance of your toilet, but it can also provide a more comfortable and secure seat. Over time, plastic toilet seats can become cracked, warped, or have other signs of wear. An old, loose toilet seat can feel unstable and wobble side to side. Replacing it restores proper function and gives your bathroom a facelift.
In this comprehensive DIY guide, we will walk through all the steps needed to safely and successfully replace a toilet seat. We will cover picking the right toilet seat, gathering the necessary tools, removing the old seat, installing the new seat properly, and testing for leaks.
By the end of this guide, you will have the knowledge and details needed to tackle this simple home improvement project with confidence. Let’s get started!
What You’ll Need
Before starting any DIY project, it’s important to gather all the required tools and materials. Here’s what you’ll need to replace a toilet seat:
Tools
- Adjustable wrench or pliers
- Putty knife
- Rubber mallet or hammer
- Screwdriver
- Bolt cutters (optional)
- Tape measure
Materials
- New toilet seat
- Wax ring (optional)
- Silicone caulk and caulk gun (optional)
Safety equipment
- Gloves
- Eye protection
- Knee pads (optional)
Make sure to get an accurate measurement of your existing toilet bowl so you purchase the correct new toilet seat size. Take the width from the back of the toilet bowl to the front. Standard sizes are elongated (18″) or round (16″).
It’s also a good idea to examine the condition of the toilet’s wax ring seal during this project. A replacement wax ring ensures no leaks occur after the new seat is installed. We’ll provide more details later about inspecting this component.
Now that you know what to buy, let’s go over how to remove the old toilet seat.
Removing the Old Toilet Seat
When preparing to remove an old toilet seat, make sure to shut off the water supply valve located behind the toilet. This prevents water from spraying out when you detach supply lines during removal. It’s also wise to place towels around the toilet base to soak up any drips.
Here are the steps to follow to safely remove an existing toilet seat:
- Put on gloves and eye protection for safety. Knee pads can also make working around the toilet more comfortable.
- Spread towels around the bottom of the toilet to soak up any potential drips or spills.
- Locate the water supply valve behind the toilet and turn it clockwise to shut off water to the toilet.
- Flush the toilet one final time to empty the tank and bowl of as much water as possible.
- Check under the toilet bowl for any nuts or bolts securing the seat and tank. Use a wrench or pliers to loosen and remove them.
- Rock the toilet seat back and forth lightly to break the seal of the caulk or wax between the seat and bowl.
- Lift the seat straight up to detach it. If it feels stuck, use a putty knife to gently pry it loose.
- Scrape away any remaining wax or caulk residue from the bowl, leaving a clean surface for the new seat to adhere to.
- Set the old seat aside to apply the new toilet seat. Dispose of it appropriately when the project is complete.
With the previous toilet seat removed, now we can focus on installing the replacement correctly.
Installing the New Toilet Seat
When installing a new toilet seat, proper alignment and security are important to prevent wiggling or detachment. Always follow the manufacturer’s specific instructions for your particular model. But in general, here are the recommended steps:
- Check the condition of the existing wax ring seal between the bowl and toilet flange. If it is hard, cracked, or you see damage, replace it with a new wax ring to prevent potential leaks.
- Position the new toilet seat centered over the bowl with equal spacing on both sides. The hinges should be facing the tank.
- Insert the provided bolt washers through the holes in the hinge post, then feed the bolts through the washers.
- Reach up underneath the bowl lip and thread the bolts through the corresponding holes.
- Underneath the bowl, slide the rubber washers and metal washers onto the bolts so they mount flush against the bottom of the toilet when tightened.
- Thread the nuts onto the bolts underneath and evenly tighten using your wrench or pliers until snug. Do not overtighten.
- Check that the seat can still lift up but does not wiggle side to side when down. Adjust the tightness of the nuts as needed.
- Apply a thin bead of silicone caulk around the underside of the toilet seat to seal it to the bowl.
- Allow caulk to fully dry before using the toilet. Drying times vary based on the caulk brand.
- Turn the water supply back on and test flush the toilet to check for leaks.
Take your time when installing the new seat to ensure proper alignment and stability. With good caulk adhesion and secure nuts, your new seat will stay safely in place for years of use.
Testing for Leaks
After installing any new toilet seat, it’s crucial to test for leaks around the base. A small leak can eventually cause water damage and mold growth if left unresolved.
Here is the process to test for toilet leaks:
- Make sure the water supply is turned back ON once the new seat is completely installed.
- Flush the toilet and allow the tank to fill back up completely.
- Add a few drops of food coloring into the tank water. Flush again.
- Wait 10-15 minutes and check all around the base of the toilet for any colored water.
- If colored water appears, you have a leak. Tighten bolts, examine the wax ring seal, and/or reapply caulk to solve the issue.
- Repeat the leak test until no water appears around the base.
- Once no leaks occur, you can rest easy knowing your toilet seat was installed properly!
Carefully checking for leaks ensures no costly water damage or mold occurs down the road. If you do discover a leak, take appropriate steps to remedy the issue right away.
Tips for Choosing a Toilet Seat
When shopping for a new toilet seat, you’ll find a wide range of styles, shapes, colors and features to consider. Keep these tips in mind when choosing a replacement toilet seat:
- Measure your toilet’s dimensions for proper sizing. Requirements vary between elongated and round bowl types.
- Decide between plastic, wood, or antimicrobial material construction. Plastic is budget-friendly; wood offers elegance; antimicrobial provides sanitization.
- Determine desired functionality like slow-close, quick-release, soft-close, or bumpers. These provide extra convenience and sound dampening.
- Select a comfortable ergonomic shape and width suited to your bathroom needs.
- Choose color and design to match your existing decor, hardware finishes, or to make a stylish statement.
- Buy from reputable brands like Kohler, American Standard or Toto known for quality and durability.
- Read product reviews and warranties to evaluate options and coverage.
Take measurements, assess your budget, and evaluate different material and feature options. With some planning, you can find the ideal toilet seat to enhance your bathroom.
Common Toilet Seat Problems and Solutions
During a toilet seat replacement project, you may discover underlying issues causing your existing seat to fail. Identifying and resolving these problems ensures the new seat lasts as long as possible.
Here are some common toilet seat problems and ways to address them:
Problem: The seat is loose, wobbles, or feels unstable.
Solution: Tighten the nuts and bolts underneath using a wrench. Adjust until snug but not overly tight. Make sure rubber washers are installed.
Problem: Seat does not align straight on the bowl.
Solution: Remove seat and verify the bowl bolts line up evenly centered under the hinge posts. Reinstall correctly.
Problem: Toilet leaks from below the bowl.
Solution: Verify the wax ring seal is in good condition and replace if cracked or hard. Reseat ring and bowl completely.
Problem: New seat detaches from bowl.
Solution: Clean all old wax and residue from bowl. Apply fresh caulk and let fully cure before use. Ensure nuts are tightened adequately underneath.
Problem: Seat cracks, chips or breaks.
Solution: Replace immediately with a higher quality seat. Consider solid wood construction or reinforced cores.
Problem: Seat feels unstable or unscrews.
Solution: Check that seat bolts are tight enough and rubber washers are used. Replace corroded or mismatched hardware.
Addressing any underlying issues ensures your new toilet seat stays securely attached and fully functional for the long term.
Storing a Toilet Seat
If you are removing your old toilet seat to replace it with a new one, you may need to store the original seat for a period of time. Here are some tips for properly storing a toilet seat until you are ready to dispose of it:
- Allow the toilet seat to fully dry before storing to prevent mold or mildew growth.
- Place the seat in a plastic bag or wrap it with plastic sheeting to protect the surface.
- Store it in a dry indoor location like a closet shelf, garage, basement or attic space. Avoid outdoor sheds with humidity.
- Keep the seat out of direct sunlight to prevent UV damage or fading over time.
- Stack items carefully to avoid cracking or chipping if items will be placed on top.
- Write the store date on the plastic bag or sheeting with permanent marker.
- Expect to replace plastic seats after a few years. Wood seats may last longer in storage.
Properly storing your old toilet seat keeps the surface protected and lets you retrieve it later for use or disposal as needed.
Disposing of an Old Toilet Seat
When your project is complete, you’ll need to properly dispose of the outdated toilet seat you replaced. Here are some safe and eco-friendly disposal options:
- Place in trash collection – Most waste management companies allow toilet seats to be disposed of with normal household garbage. Ensure no sharp bolts stick out to avoid waste collector injury.
- Recycle plastic seats – Check if your local recycling center accepts toilet seats and hardware for recycling. Remove any wax ring residue first.
- Donate usable seats – Contact Habitat for Humanity or other charities to see if they accept donated functional toilet seats for families in need.
- Sell reusable seats online – You may be able to sell antique, vintage, or modern-style toilet seats via classified ads or websites.
- Bring to a transfer station – Your city may have a waste transfer station that can properly receive and dispose of home improvement waste like old plumbing parts.
Check local regulations before tossing your old toilet seat. With proper transportation and sanitization, you can keep it out of landfills.
FAQ about Replacing a Toilet Seat
Still have some questions about the toilet seat replacement process? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
What type of new seat should I buy?
Measure your toilet bowl size and shop for the same dimensions. Choose plastic, wood, or antimicrobial materials based on budget and bathroom decor. Opt for extra features like soft-close hinges or quick-release ability based on your needs.
How do I measure my toilet for a new seat?
Use a tape measure to measure from the back of the bowl to the very front. Standard round bowls are about 16 inches long. Elongated bowls are around 18 inches long. Measure width too between the inner edges to get your bolt hole spacing.
How do I remove a rusted toilet seat?
Penetrating oil can help loosen rusted bolts underneath the bowl. Allow to soak in fully. You may need to cut the bolts with a hacksaw or bolt cutter if very corroded. Replace all hardware with new stainless steel or brass bolts and nuts.
Can I replace just a toilet seat and not the lid?
It’s possible but not recommended. The seat and lid are designed to line up and function together. Replacing both ensures proper alignment, matching aesthetics, and full value for your purchase.
How do I stop my new toilet seat from moving?
Check that nuts and bolts are fully tightened underneath using a wrench. The seat should not wiggle but still lift up easily. Apply 100% silicone caulk around the base and let cure fully to adhere it to the bowl. Don’t overtighten bolts or cracking can occur.
How can I soften a stiff new toilet seat?
Spray the hinge pins with penetrating lubricant and work the seat up and down a few times. Or rub candle wax or bar soap on the pins to lubricate. Avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the seat surface. The stiffness will ease over time with regular lifting.
Why does my new seat get loose after a while?
Improper installation or inferior hardware can lead to loose toilet seats. Ensure rubber washers are used under nuts. Tighten bolts enough for stability but not too tight. Inspect bolts for rust or damage. Replace corroded hardware immediately.
Can I replace the seat myself or do I need a plumber?
A toilet seat replacement is definitely a DIY-friendly project for most homeowners to tackle. With basic tools and following instructions, you can swap out a toilet seat conveniently and affordably on your own. Call a plumber for issues with the flange, wax ring, valve, or leaks.
Conclusion
We hope this detailed guide gives you confidence to take on a DIY toilet seat replacement. With the right tools, materials, safety measures, and installation technique, you can give your bathroom an instant facelift with a brand new seat.
Always dispose of the old seat properly and check for any leaks after installation. Follow provided instructions closely for optimal security and stability.
Taking the time to correctly replace a worn or damaged toilet seat improves comfort, functionality, and aesthetics in your bathroom. Just be cautious not to overtighten bolts to avoid cracking the bowl.
With a sleek new toilet seat installed, you can now sit back and relax knowing your DIY project was a complete success!
