If your old toilet seat has seen better days, or you’ve invested in a new one to match your new cool, contemporary colour on the bathroom walls, you need to know how to fit it. Alternatively, you might have splashed out on a new toilet to help bring your modern bathroom ideas to life and add a bit of the wow factor.
Thankfully, it's not a difficult process, especially for an accomplished DIYer. You will need a few simple tools (that you will probably already have), half an hour of spare time and the know-how you’ll find in this guide to make it happen.
The tools you will need to fit a toilet seat
Before embarking on this easy DIY task you'll need a couple of tools to hand, including:
- Phillips and flathead screwdriver
- Pliers
- Rubber gloves
Try these toilet seats to replace the old
A hard-wearing, durable and long lasting toilet seat. Boasts a smooth and non-porous surfaces for optimal hygiene. Comes with high-quality top fixing stainless steel hinges.
Made from oak effect moulded wood, this toilet seat features adjustable hinges with high strength adhesive pads to grip to the pan. Compatible with any standard UK toilet pan.
Made of hard-wearing Duroplast, this Black Middle D Style features a soft closing seat and lid and a one-button quick release for easy removal and cleaning.
Removing the old toilet seat
If you’re installing a new toilet seat on your existing toilet, you will need to remove the old seat first. If your toilet seat is attached to an open-back toilet, the hinges are secured with a couple of bolts and fastened to the bottom with two nuts. If you have a shrouded or back-to-wall toilet, the process is slightly different.
1. Remove caps
Get a flat head screwdriver and gently ease off the caps covering the hinges. Start in one position and go around the cap cover at regular intervals to make removing easier and less likely to cause damage.
2. Undo the bolts and remove
With the cap cover off you will see the bolts holding the seat. Underneath there will be a bolt or wingnut. Get a pair of pliers and hold a bolt/wingnut while at the same time undoing the bolt. Now do the other bolt and remove the toilet seat.
3. Top fixing removal
If you have a shrouded toilet with top fixing fittings the process is very similar. Remove the cap cover to expose the bolts. Get a Phillips screwdriver and undo the bolt. Now remove the seat and pull out the fitting in the holes with a screwdriver or pair of pliers.
James Roberts is the Director of Sanctuary Bathrooms, a family-owned UK bathroom retailer catering towards the affordable luxury market. In addition to day-to-day operations, he is responsible for all aspects of media, marketing, and operations.
Installing a new toilet seat
There are typically two options when it comes to installing a new toilet seat: top and bottom fixing. Both are very similar.
Fixing a bottom fixing seat
James Roberts, Director at Sanctuary Bathrooms, explains what bottom fixed means: “Bottom-fixed means that toilet seats are bolted and tightened from the underside of the back of the pan with joining nuts.”
He shares the process for removing and fitting the new seat: “Locate the nuts on the underside and, using a spanner or wrench, loosen the nuts - if tight, try spraying WD40 to help loosen.”
It's not always this simple, as Roberts shares, “If the bolts are spinning, use a screwdriver to hold them in place. If they are totally seized, then there may be no other option than to cut them off using a hacksaw or pliers (if plastic) to avoid damaging the pan.”
Once loose, unscrew by hand, lift the seat to loosen the bolts, then lift the seat out. To finish, Roberts says, “Wipe down the bolt holes and clean the toilet pan."
Now get your new fittings, assemble the hinge, add the bolt, and place it through the seat hole. Now get the nut and loosely tighten holding the nut and screwing the bolt. Do the same for the other hinge.
Now move the seat into position and tighten up the bolt and nut. Do not over-tighten, just enough to keep the seat in position. Now add the hinge cover and give the toilet seat a sit-down test to make sure it doesn’t move.
Installing a top fixing seat
Some toilets, such as back-to-wall toilets, have top-fixing fittings because there is no access to the underside of the toilet. Roberts explains how to remove and fit a toilet with top fixings. “Use a screwdriver to open hinge covers and reveal the hinges and bolts. Next, unscrew or loosen fittings using either a screwdriver or an Allen key.”
Now it's time to remove the seat, continues Roberts. “Lift the seat off if a standard one, once loose - gently wiggle if the seat is stubborn.” He adds, “Remove the seat, which will leave the expanding plugs and gaskets. Use long-nose pliers to gently pull these out of the holes. To finish, wipe down and clean"
To fit a top-fixing toilet seat, it is effectively the reverse process. Push the screw fitting in, assemble the hinge, place it in position, and put the bolt into the screw fitting, then tighten it with a screwdriver or Allen key. To finish, add the hinge cover and do a sit-down test.
FAQs
Are toilet seats a standard size?
No, toilet dimensions vary. Jamie Heath, plumbing specialist at Build & Plumb, says “Toilet seats are not typically produced in a standard size, as toilet bowls vary in shape from D-shape, round and square. When choosing a toilet seat, measure your toilet bowl's length and width accurately to ensure it fits correctly.
Roberts adds, "For many branded toilets, the seats are designed in a shape and size to match the toilet pan. As such, it is always worth considering options that match the toilet's brand in the first instance.”
If not buying a matching brand, Roberts says, “You will need to find a toilet seat that has the required distance between bolt holes, and is in the same shape and size as the pan.”
Jamie has over 24 years of expertise in the Plumbing & Heating sector, having worked for both national and regional merchants. He now brings his knowledge to Build & Plumb, an online retailer, supplying top-quality products for DIYers, renovators, and trade professionals alike.
Do all toilet seats have the same fittings?
No, they don't, whether fitting a new toilet or replacing an old seat, there are two common types of fitting: bottom fixing and top fixing.
Roberts shares the differences: “Fittings may vary slightly for installation, with toilet seats being fitted in a choice of bottom-fixing or top fixing.” He adds, “In which case, installation and removal will vary. Consumers can tell the difference by observing whether nuts are visible on the underside. If not, it is a top-fixed toilet seat.”
How do you tighten a toilet seat with concealed fittings?
Concealed fittings or top fixings hinges are easy to tighten. These typically have a screw that will be hidden under a hinge cover. Get a small screwdriver to lift the hinge cover to reveal the screw. Get a larger screwdriver and tighten. If the screw won’t tighten the fitting might need to be replaced.
How much does it cost to replace a toilet seat?
If you are putting together a bathroom on a budget, your toilet may come with a cheap toilet seat, which you want to replace. The cheapest (and free) way to replace it is to fit it yourself.
But if you don't have the time and want to pay someone else to do the job for you can call out a professional. Heath shares how much you can expect to pay. “For a professional to replace a toilet seat, they will typically charge for both labour and materials. This generally ranges from £60 to £110 depending on the type of toilet seat, the complexity of the replacement and your location.”
If you already purchased a toilet seat, labour charges will be less shares Heath, “Typically, for an hour you’re looking to pay £30 to £60 for a plumber.” Alternatively, you can look for a local handyman who will probably charge slightly less.
A new toilet seat is a quick upgrade for any bathroom. If you want to update your bathroom at the same time, make sure to check out our bathroom design ideas, small bathroom remodel suggestions and bathroom colour ideas for inspiration.
