How to replace a toilet seat?

Hello Rhonda! Changing a toilet seat is easy! You can take a picture of the seat on your phone and take it to your local big box home improvement center to purchase the right seat. Your toilet seat will either be round or oblong and there are a few different materials to pick from. Here's some good instructions: https://www.wikihow.life/Install-a-New-Toilet-Seat

Changing seats is merely a matter of unscrewing the old from beneath and screwing on the new so it’s super easy. The hardest part as Gk mentioned is finding out if it’s round or oblong.

I love the soft close toilet seats. No more slamming lids. Seriously, I'll never go back to normal ones.

Toilet seats are pretty easy to change. Good luck!

Not all toilets are the same but you should have some kind of screws or a flap you lift up and then find screws. Unscrew the screws, you may need to hold the bottom of the screw underneath while you're unscrewing. The seat should remove as soon as the screws are loose. Make sure you are replacing it with the correct size. There are oblong and round.

If the screws are rusted metal, try spraying some WD40 on them, let it sit for a bit and try again. You can also hold the nut underneath with a wrench while you unscrew from the top.

If the screws are rusted tight, spray with some vegetable oil or WD-40 to loosen them. You can purchase plastic screws for the new seat at any home improvement store. Then you won't have the same problem later.

I used a dremel to cut the bolts off of my rusted screws when they were in that condition. It works great! Just cut down both sides and they drop off. Happy fixing and God bless

If the nuts are rusted, you will need a hack saw (metal cutting saw) and cut through the top where the bolts go through the toilet.

I would suggest a power drill. It happened to me and I just drilled those rusty babies right out of there. It was quick and painless. lol Don't forget your safety glasses. Good luck!

Often times, there are clips that can be pried up, to expose the bolts. Do you have a photo of what yours looks like to help more?

At the back of the toilet seat there should be little boxes (on the top side of the toilet) that can be popped open with a screwdriver or coin. There will be bold heads inside that can be screwed/unscrewed to remove and replace the seat. Hope that helps.

with lid closed, on top of bracket (one holding seat to bowl) you should be able to open top/pop it up and you will find the bolts for the seat you may need to use a small screwdriver to pop it open should/may have small opening along edge to insert something to pop it open

You should be able to put your hand under the back and turn the bolt and unscrew it then change the seat and screw it back on with the new ones supplies with the new seat

I have discovered that vinegar works wonders in the bathroom.

If you can somehow attach a tiny cup of vinegar to the under sides. I know how dorky it sounds but I’ve done it, like with little plastic dipping sauce vessels. Tape them on the pot after filling with vinegar. Let the just stay there for a day or so. Remove, wipe with paper towel, then spray with WD40 and let that settle in for however long it takes. You should be able to loosen bolts.

Mid none of the above works, remember you’re workin upside down. Righty tighty, left loosey!!!

Imagine doing things backwards.

It happens!! Good luck.

BTW. PLAIN WHITE VINEGAR

I agree with Emy that if you are going to purchase a new toilet seat, spend a little more to get a soft-close toilet seat. Once you never hear the lid banging down again, you will never go back to a standard style.

The Screws and fasteners are at the back under the lip. Difficult to access but everyone needs to do it at some time. Take a photo of the toilet with you when you shop.

Take a picture of the current seat and measure the length from back to front. While shopping for a new seat you'll see a variety--from vey basic regular size to elongated and choose the one you like best that's in your price point. as others have directed, removal and install is fairly easy. I, too, love the soft close feature. In fact you can even find a soft seat with plug-in feature for warming in cold weather!

Hi Rhonda, first you will need to see if your current seat is round or oblong, you can tell by using this link here. From there the seats usually attach with just two bolts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D29v0GuVldk

or with hidden fixings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGluderbMd4

hope these help- you out

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Here you go: https://www.exquisitelyunremarkable.com/2021/06/how-to-replace-a-toilet-seat.html

Take old one with you or a template of it.

They are easy to remove, many instruction by other Hometalkers, I agree with johnavallance82, take the old toilet seat with you or a template...or take the measurements length and width. You will also find they come in different colors in some stores. Amazon also carries a selection for many descriptions.

Hi Rhonda: It's really easy :) There are 2 screws at the back of the seat. They go through holes in the toilet and are usually held on with plastic nuts or wing nuts. Just remove them and lift the toilet seat off. Clean the area really well and put on your new seat. Tighten the new screws, but not too tight, you don't want to crack the toilet, but really snug is good. Also, I put grease, like auto grease, on the threads of the screws, if they are metal, (sometimes they are nylon) and then they will be easier to remove later on if need be. If you can find nylon or fiber washers, that would be best. Home Depot carries them. Everbilt 5/16 in. Nylon Washer (3-Piece per Pack) 814778 - The Home Depot or Everbilt 3/4 in. x 1-1/8 in. Black Fiber Washer 807948 - The Home Depot and, Bob's your uncle.

Good luck

Make sure you get the proper seat. They come in round, oval and elongated. Measure from: the middle of the holes in the toilet bowl Measure to: the front rim of the toilet bowl. If your bowl measures: 18.5” - You'll want to get an “Elongated” toilet seat. 16.5” - You'll want a “Round” toilet seat.

Unbolt the old seat, then pop the new one in place using the hardware included in your new toilet seat's box.

You will need a screwdriver and wrench.

I highly advise getting the metal hinges over the plastic. They hold where the plastic seems to let the seat move. I would also stay away from vinyl seats, they crack and tear easily.

Measure the oild toilet seat you're replacing so that you get the correct size. Some toilets are elongated and need to be longer in length. Just flip the covers that cover the screws on the hinges and unscrew to remove the seat and replace with the new one.

Hi Rhonda: This is so easy! I did it a few months ago. Measure the width between the holes - it should be standard. When you get a new seat, the hardware should come with it. Just unscrew the old seat, saving the screws (I don't know why, but I save every screw I come across!) and replace it. Be sure not to tighten the screws/bolts in the back too tight as you might crack the porcelain, just tighten it as much as you can by hand and then maybe 1/4 turn with a wrench. I'd suggest getting some rubber washers to use instead of metal ones, and some kits come with nylon screws and nuts. Here's a site with step by step instructions: How to Replace a Toilet Seat | Family Handyman

You can do this, I have faith in you!