How to Replace a Toilet Seat
Is your porcelain throne getting a bit shopworn? If you can change the toilet paper roll, you can replace your toilet seat.
Up next in Bathroom Repair (13 videos)
Learn how to fix many bathroom plumbing problems yourself with the step-by-step instructions in this Howcast video series about bathroom repair.
You Will Need
- A new toilet seat
- A ruler or measuring tape
- A screwdriver
- Pliers
- Penetrating oil (optional) (optional) (optional)
Steps
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Step 1
Measure
Measure the size of your toilet seat to make sure it's standard. Note the distance between the two bolts holding the seat in place (located at the top of the toilet seat) as well as the seat's length and width.
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Step 2
Buy your new seat
Buy a toilet seat that will fit your measurements.
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Step 3
Remove the old seat
Remove the old seat by unscrewing the two bolts holding it in place. Hold the nut underneath with a pair of pliers as you turn the bolt heads with a screwdriver. There may be plastic caps covering the bolts that you'll need to pop open.
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If you are having trouble removing corroded bolts from the seat, spray some penetrating oil around the nut and let it sit overnight.
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Step 4
Clean the holes
Clean around the holes with baking soda to remove any dirt or rust.
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Step 5
Attach the new seat
Attach your new toilet seat by positioning it over the two holes. Re-insert the bolts and tighten the nuts by hand, then hold the nuts in place with pliers and tighten the bolt heads with a screwdriver.
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Be careful -- over-tightening the bolts can crack the porcelain.
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Step 6
Enjoy
Snap the bolt head covers back in place and take a seat!
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Taipei has a popular restaurant chain called "The Modern Toilet," which lets customers eat out of miniature plastic toilet bowls while sitting on toilets.
