It’s surprising just how much your toilet seat can add or detract from your daily constitutional. Cracked seats can pinch in uncomfortable places. Is your toilet seat too hard? Maybe, it’s too soft. Either way, sitting down on the toilet too quickly will tell you which it may be. If you’re wondering how to install a new toilet seat, the good news is that it’s a quick and easy DIY job.

Why Install a New Toilet Seat?

There are several reasons you may want to change out the toilet seat in your bathroom. As mentioned above, they can crack. A new toilet seat can also offer a fresh new look to the room.

Many people decide to install a new toilet seat when they move into a new home or apartment. There may be some old novelty seat that doesn’t fit your style. Perhaps it’s a padded one that gives you the deep-down shivers. Either way, you may just feel like it’s more hygienic.

Buying a New Toilet Seat

You’ll find a large range of toilet seat options in nearly every big box store or online store. You may prefer a novelty seat or a clever design that matches your witty décor.

Some toilet seat options on the market

If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, consider some of the current features:

  • Wood seats: Heavier but warmer in cold climates

  • Plastic seats: Cheaper and colder, but easier to lift

  • Quiet-Close Lids: For less bang during those late-night calls of nature

  • Antimicrobial Finish: For a cleaner bathroom

  • Quick Release Hinge: Allows you to completely remove the seat for deep cleaning

  • Padded seat: Those who spend a lot of time may find they increase comfort.

Luxury options

  • Heated Seat: For a toastier experience in the winter

  • Nightlight: Perfect for the parents of small children who otherwise might miss in the night

  • Bidet Seat: This plush upgrade will give you the ultimate luxury “go”

Sizing a toilet seat to fit

Toilet seats are relatively standard, but they do come in two basic shapes: elongated or round. Make sure you know which one you need for your existing toilet. They’re not interchangeable.

Round seats are, of course, round, while elongated seats are oval. If you’re not sure, you can measure the toilet bowl. If your toilet bowl is 16.5 inches from the bolt holes to the front center of the toilet, it’s round. If it’s 18.5 inches, you need an elongated toilet seat.

Installing Your New Toilet Seat

Once you’ve found the right seat for your style (and your toilet), you’re ready to install your new toilet seat.

Grab some tools

You’ll need few tools to do the job right. These may or may not all come into play, but you should have them handy just in case.

  • WD40

  • Pliers

  • Adjustable wrench

  • Flathead screwdriver

  • Toilet cleaner

  • Paper towels or cleaning rags

Remove the old seat

First, find the bolt housing on the old seat. These are the caps covering the hinge bolts on the back of the seat. Pop them open.

Find the bolts on the underside of the toilet bowl and remove them. Use the pliers or wrench to hold the nut in place and the screwdriver to unscrew the bolt.

If the bolts are stuck, the WD40 will help loosen them up.

Remove the old seat along with its nuts and bolts.

This is a great time to give the old toilet bowl a good cleaning. If you find limescale or rust, common household vinegar will remove it.

Install the new seat

Remove the new toilet seat from the packaging. To attach it, you’ll first need to align the bolt holes in the seat hinge with those on those toilet bowl. You may have to adjust it and slide it around a bit. This is why we recommend cleaning the toilet bowl before attaching the new seat.

Once you have the bolt holes aligned, attach the seat using the nuts and bolts included in the packaging. You can reach under the bowl to hold the nut from below while inserting the bolt from above.

Only hand-tighten the bolts at first, until both are attached. Then, make sure the seat is aligned properly, and then use the screwdriver to tighten the bolts the rest of the way.

Fresh New Seat

There – that’s all there is to it! Installing a new toilet seat is probably one of the easiest home DIY projects you can tackle, but it’s certainly one of the most satisfying.

If you need to install a whole new toilet, however, you should probably call a professional. Make an appointment with the plumbing pros at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Port St. Lucie. We’re standing by and ready for your next bathroom upgrade.