How to Replace a Toilet Seat

Whether your old seat is damaged or you simply want a quick bathroom refresh, replacing a toilet seat is a straightforward task. We can help you complete your toilet seat replacement.

You don’t need to be a DIY expert to get this done. Grab your tools and we’ll guide you through removing the old fixture and securely fitting your new replacement toilet seat.

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To remove your old toilet seat, pop off the plastic caps, lift the seat off the bolts, and loosen the screws to detach the remaining mechanism.
When fitting your replacement toilet seat, insert the rubber plugs into the toilet holes, place the fixings on top, and tighten the bolts firmly by hand.
Measure the length, width, and the distance between the hinge holes of your current seat to find the right D-shaped, round, or square replacement.

Step-by-step guide

Before you start working on the toilet, it’s important to keep your workspace clean. Put on your protective gloves first, then disinfect the toilet bowl thoroughly with anti-bacterial wipes. This gives you a safe and hygienic area to work on.

Before you head into the store, you need to know how to measure a toilet seat for replacement. Use your tape measure to find the exact length and width of the bowl. Take your time with the tape measure as accurate measurements mean your new seat will align perfectly with the edges of your toilet.

It’s a good idea to get a seat in the same measurements as the one you’re replacing, but you don’t need to bring your old seat into the store with you. You’ll also want to get a seat that matches the shape of your toilet, with common shapes including D-shaped, round, or square. Matching the shape ensures your toilet bowl seat replacement fits exactly as it should.

Start by removing the plastic caps on your old seat. Once the caps are off, pull off the seat by lifting it carefully off the bolts.

Next, you’ll need to take off the remaining caps. Loosen the screws with your screwdriver and lift off the rest of the mechanism. If you’re doing a toilet seat hinge replacement, you’ll remove all of these old parts entirely at this stage.

At this point, use your tape measure to check the distance between the bolt holes in your toilet. This is the final step in how to measure for a replacement toilet seat.

Your new seat will come with instructions walking you through how to install it. Follow these carefully alongside our guide.

First, insert the rubber plugs into the holes on the toilet bowl.

Peel off the tab under the seat to reveal a rubberised base. This stops the seat from slipping around once it’s installed.

Place the fixings onto the holes. Use a spacer to ensure they’re the perfect width apart and match up with the holes in your new toilet seat.

Place the bolts into the fixings. Tighten them as much as you can by hand. It’s a good idea to check the spacing again here before you fully tighten the bolts.

Now, place the new seat onto the fixings.

Tighten the bolts using an Allen key. The toilet seat might get in the way, meaning you can’t tighten them all fully just yet.

Apply pressure to the fixings for around 20 seconds so they adhere to the toilet.

Take the seat back off so you have plenty of space to fully tighten the screws with your Allen key.

Remove the spacer bar and place the caps on top.

Finally, attach the toilet seat. Push it down and it should click securely into place

And that’s it. You’ve now got a brand-new toilet seat securely installed in your bathroom.

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a job well done. With just a few basic tools and a bit of patience, you can give your bathroom a brilliant mini makeover

Remember to clean your new seat regularly with non-abrasive cleaners to keep it looking fresh.

FAQs

If you cannot reach underneath the toilet bowl, you will need a top-fixing seat. Replacing a toilet seat with hidden fixings is simple. It involves using rubber plugs or expanding bolts that drop into the holes from the top. As you tighten the screw from above, the rubber plug expands to create a secure fit. You do not need access underneath.

Check how your current seat is attached to the bowl. If you can reach under the toilet pan to unscrew a wing nut, you need a bottom-fixing seat. If the pan is fully enclosed or completely smooth on the sides, you will replace toilet seat fixtures using a top-fixing method.

Make sure you peel off the tab to expose the rubberised base on the new fixings before attaching them. Applying downward pressure for 20 seconds helps the adhesive stick properly to the ceramic. Fully tightening the bolts with an Allen key also keeps the seat firmly in place.