How to Replace a Toilet Seat

Replacing a toilet seat is simple once you know whether the bowl is round or elongated and how the hinge bolts are accessed. Rusty or spinning fasteners are usually the only annoyance.

Tools you will probably need

• screwdriver
• adjustable wrench or pliers if the nuts spin

Materials

• replacement toilet seat matched to bowl shape

Project steps

1. Measure or identify whether the bowl is round or elongated before buying the seat.
2. Remove the hinge covers and loosen the old mounting bolts while holding the nuts below if needed.
3. Clean the exposed mounting area.
4. Install the new seat loosely, center it on the bowl, then tighten the hardware evenly without overtightening.

Common mistakes

• Buying the wrong bowl shape
• Cranking down hard on plastic mounting hardware
• Trying to force badly rusted hardware next to porcelain

When to call someone

Help is rarely needed, but stop if corroded metal hardware cannot be removed without risking damage to the porcelain fixture.

Project costs and times are rough planning estimates. Product instructions, local codes, home construction, and actual conditions take priority.