Toilet Seat Changing

Copyright (c) 2010 Filton Kingswood

Has your toilet seat broken? Or does it look old and worn out? Or do you just want a change? Whenever you decide to replace your toilet seat you'll be amazed at the different styles available to buy. However once you've chosen one, it's time to actually install it. This easy to follow step by step guide shows you how.

Whatever your reason for needing to replace the trusty seat, it's one of the easier toilet repairs you can do. Firstly, you need to consider whether you need to replace the entire toilet set or if just the hinges can be replaced. It will be very straight forward to work this out, if the toilet seat is intact and it just moves around a lot, the chances are that you can just replace the hinges on the toilet seat. If the seat itself is damaged, you will need to replace all of it. This article will guide you through the process in some simple steps.

Step 1 - It's time to measure your current toilet seat to determine what size of new seat you require. It's important to measure both the length and the width to ensure that the new seat will fit correctly over the toilet bowl. Generally modern toilet seats only come in two shapes standard (round) and elongated.

Step 2 - Now you know what size and shape of seat you are looking for, it's time to choose a new one. Toilet seats are available from a wide range of shops but to save yourself time trawling the streets, why not take a look online. You'll be amazed at the different styles on offer.

Once you have your new toilet seat, it's time to take the old one off. To do this, close the lid of your toilet seat and pop up the caps towards the rear of the seat that attach it to the toilet bowl. Under these caps are either metal or plastic screws, depending on the age of your toilet, fastened with a nut underneath. To remove them hold the nut with either a spanner or your hand and use a screwdriver to remove the screws (turning anti-clockwise). If you experience difficulties at this stage, spray some lubricant on the screws and try again. If the worse comes to the worse and you still can't unscrew them, you can use a hacksaw to cut them off but be careful not to damage the toilet itself.

Step 4 - Now simply lift off your old toilet seat and throw it away. To make replacing the toilet seat a nicer job, thoroughly clean the toilet before you continue.

Once you have removed the screws, simply lift off your old toilet seat and throw it away. Now take your new toilet seat and line the screws up with the holes at the back of the toilet. Insert the screws. Some styles of toilet seat come with washers which sit between the screws and the toilet bowl, use these if supplied.

Step 6 - Underneath you now need to attach the nuts to the screws and hand tighten them. Then use your spanner to half turn them to make them secure. Don't turn anymore than this or it will make further replacements more difficult.

Step 7 - Once your new seat is installed, put the new plastic caps over the screws to finish the job.

And there you have it, a brand new replacement toilet seat.