Q&A for How to Install a New Toilet Seat

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Question

How do I stop my toilet seat from moving sideways?

Dave Jones
Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
Dave Jones is a Professional Plumber and the Midwest Regional Vice President at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. In 1992, Jones joined Roto-Rooter as a drain service technician at the age of 18. Since then, he has risen through the ranks into positions of increasing authority. Dave served as general manager of Roto-Rooter’s Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia branches before being promoted to Contractor Area Manager and later to Regional Vice President. Dave holds Master Plumber Licenses in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.

Dave Jones

Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

Expert Answer

Be sure it is straight and even on both sides. Lift the bolt cover lids on the back of the seat and reach under the back of the bowl. Grip the nut that is attached to one of the seat bolts using your fingers or an adjustable wrench. Tighten the first bolt and then tighten the second bolt until the seat can no longer slide back and forth.

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Question

How do I fit a new toilet seat if there is no access below to tighten the screws?

Community Answer

Use top fixing fittings. These are common now and are used when you cannot access the fittings to tighten from underneath.

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Question

How do I remove the old seat?

Community Answer

Pop up two white tabs. Use a screwdriver to remove the two screws. Lift up the old seat.

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Question

How can I get the seat even?

Community Answer

A level is the best tool to make sure the seat is perfectly level before installing it.

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Question

What should I do if the hinge caps won't push down as it says in the instructions?

Community Answer

Try to push it hard, or use a cloth over the hinge caps and a hammer to gently secure the caps.

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Question

What if the two white tabs are so old that they won't pop up even when prying with a flathead screwdriver?

Community Answer

If you're tossing the whole thing anyway, break them. If you crack them, you can wedge the screwdriver in there to get it the rest of the way off.

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Question

How can I tighten a toilet seat with clip attachment?

Community Answer

Toilet seats are fickle little things. Sometimes, you just can't get them to go in *just* the right spot.

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Question

What do I do if the bolts on my toilet seat keep loosening?

Community Answer

Use Loctite Lock 'n Seal, which is an excellent fast acting bolt thread sealer. It can be loosened with normal tools. It is possible to use on plastic bolts but will likely compromise the integrity of the fitting (the chemicals in Loctite may damage the plastic).

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Question

What should I do if the bolts are so tight I can't get them off?

Community Answer

Try WD-40 and leave for 30 minutes or so before having another go. You may be able to loosen the nuts on the bolt by trying to tighten them first by tapping on the spanner/wrench etc. Don't do it too hard!

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Question

What do I do if I can't tighten one of the bolts on my new toilet seat?

Community Answer

If it's a metal bolt, try Loctite Lock 'N Seal on the bolt thread, which should fill the thread ridges and provide grip for the nut. The nut can be removed with ordinary tools. Only use on the thread where grip is required, and don't spill or drip on the floor. (Probably best not to use on plastic bolts, though.)

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