A toilet seat replacement is an easy way to enhance the look and feel of your bathroom. Here are the steps to follow.
Time Less than 30 minutes
ComplexityBeginner
Cost$15 - $80
Introduction
Whether you're upgrading to a more comfortable seat, or simply updating your bathroom, here's how to replace a toilet seat yourself.
Rather than completely replacing a toilet, installing a new toilet seat is an easy and quick job that anyone can do to update or give their toilet a new feel. It requires only a few tools and a tape measure to complete. Honestly, getting the correct measurements before visiting the home center or ordering a new toilet seat online is the most challenging step.
Not all toilet seats are created equal. You could splurge and purchase a heated electric seat or a bidet toilet seat for around $180-$500 or purchase a basic seat starting at around $15. I bought a standard seat that didn’t require additional setup (like an electric seat would). If you do upgrade to an electric toilet seat, refer to the manual for setup. Keep in mind most new seats will come with the fasteners you need to secure the seat to the toilet.
Tools Required
- Screwdrivers
- Tape measure
- Wrench
Materials Required
- Multi-surface cleaner
- Paper towels
- Rust penetrant
- Toilet seat
Watch How To Replace a Toilet Seat
Project step-by-step (6)
Step 1
Remove the old toilet seat
Locate the fasteners holding the toilet seat to the bowl and loosen them with a wrench. The humidity in bathrooms often causes the nuts to corrode or rust onto the threaded bolts of the old toilet seats, making them difficult to remove. In this case, use a rust-penetrant spray to loosen the nuts of your toilet seat.
Step 2
Clean the area
Once the old seat has been removed, clean the toilet with a multi-surface cleaner, paying extra attention to any grime built up around the toilet seat mounting holes.
Step 3
Take measurements
Before you head to the home center to purchase a replacement toilet seat, it’s important to measure the toilet seat and bowl to ensure that you get the right size. To do this, measure the distance at the widest part of the toilet bowl and the distance from the seat mounting holes to the very front of the bowl. Then, measure the old seat and compare these numbers. Ideally, the seat should be the same shape as the bowl and the same size (or slightly larger) than it.
Step 4
Install a new toilet seat
Place the new toilet seat on the toilet bowl and align it with the holes for the fasteners. Insert the new fasteners and snug them down with a screwdriver and wrench. Be careful not to over-tighten the fasteners, as doing so may crack the porcelain toilet.
Step 5
Test the seat
Apply pressure to the seat to test that it is not wobbling. Adjust the fasteners if needed.
Step 6
FAQ
How often should I change my toilet seat?
Every five years or sooner if it is damaged with cracks or broken hinges.
Do toilet seats fit universally?
No, there are many toilet types and sizes, requiring different-sized toilet seats. Using a tape measure, find the length and width of your toilet bowl to find the seat size you need.
What are popular toilet seat features?
Some upgraded features of toilet seats are bidets, heated seats, slow-close lids, and lights. These added features increase the cost of a toilet seat.
