One of the most heavy-duty parts of any bathroom, your toilet seat gets a lot of regular use, so it should come as no surprise that you might need to replace it now and then. Thankfully, fitting a new toilet seat is a job that’s simple for anyone to tackle, and we’re here to show you how with our simple step-by-step guide…
Why do you need a new toilet seat?
Wear and tear is the most common reason your toilet seat will need replacing. From cracks to squeaks and wobbles, if something sounds or feels wrong when you sit down – it’s probably time to treat yourself to a new seat. But sometimes, a replacement might just be because you feel like a change of toilet seat style, and there are plenty to choose from at Bathstore.
How to measure your toilet seat
If you thought all toilet seats were a universal size, think again. There’s currently no standard size of toilet seat, so to find the right sized seat for your loo, it’s time to grab a tape measure. You’ll need three simple measurements:
- The distance between your back screw/fixing holes (usually 155mm, but best to be sure)
- The distance from the fixing holes to the front of your bowl
- The widest width of your toilet bowl
With those three measurements in hand, you can start searching for the toilet seat that suits your bathroom.
How to fit a toilet seat
Picked the perfect toilet seat for your bathroom? Naturally, you’ll have to remove your old toilet seat before you can fit a new one, so we’re going to quickly run through how to do that too.
What you’ll need:
- A new toilet seat
- A slot or crosshead screwdriver
- Pliers
Please note: The process may vary, depending on the new toilet seat you have chosen and the type of toilet you have. It’s always best to consult the installation manual before carrying out any work.
Before you start
Step 1: Make sure it’s clean
Your loo and toilet seat are often host to plenty of germs. You’re going to be touching your toilet seat a lot while removing and fitting it, so if you’re wondering how to make sure you don’t transfer any germs across – don a pair of rubber gloves and, using disinfectant and cleaning products, thoroughly clean in and around your loo.
Step 2: Take the seat off
This process will depend on what kind of toilet seat you have. Some modern toilet seats come with a handy button between the hinges that disconnects the seat from the toilet. Otherwise, you’ll need to use your screwdriver to remove the bolts at the back of the toilet bowl where the seat connects to it. Holding the nut underneath with your pliers, unscrew the bolts, lift your toilet seat, and give everything underneath a good spritz with anti-bacterial spray.
Installing your new toilet seat
It’s now time to fit a new toilet seat – which should be the same steps as removing the old one in reverse, but again, it will depend largely on how your toilet seat is designed.
For some types of toilets, you will have to remove the cover plate and then unscrew and remove the old hinge bracket before putting the new hinge bracket in position over the seat fixing holes – but most are simple and straightforward.
Step 1: Thread your retainers
Start installing your new toilet seat by threading the new nut and retainer through the holes in the toilet pan. Once they’re through, tighten them with a screwdriver.
Step 2: Place your new seat down
Simply lower your new toilet seat over the two existing holes in the toilet pan and then insert the bolts and tighten the nuts by hand.
Step 3: Secure in place
Once your bolts are done, hold the nuts in place with pliers and tighten the bolt heads with a screwdriver. Try not to over-tighten the bolts at this stage, or you could end up cracking your new toilet seat.
Step 4: Add your covers
Last but not least, pop the plastic bolt head covers back in place on the bolts, and your new toilet seat should be fitted securely.
Your brand-new toilet seat should now be in perfect working order – that’s really all there is to it! Still not sure which seat to pick? If you feel like you could use some inspiration for how to choose the perfect toilet seat to fit with your bathroom’s style, you can take a look at our toilet buyer’s guides. With an assortment of both traditional and ultra-modern toilet seats on offer, we’re sure you will find the one for you.
