How to Tighten Toilet Seat? Necessary to Tighten It?

how to tighten toilet seat feature
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A loose toilet is not a new problem. Caused of the constant opening, closing, and sitting, a toilet seat with loose or kissing bolts is not that surprising anymore. While others decide to just disregard it or simply get rid of it, you should not be. Getting rid of it means sitting on the toilet bare, and that could be uncomfortable. On the other hand, letting it the way it is can spell potential danger as the loose toilet seat might slide, which may cause you and any member of your family to fall and ultimately hurt themselves.  Given these reasons, fixing that loose toilet seat of yours is necessary. And if you are asking how to repair loose toilet seats, then this is the answer you are looking for. Continue reading below to learn the easy-to-follow guide for tightening toilet seats.

how to tighten toilet seat

Types of Toilet Seats

Toilet seats are attached to the toilet bowl using bolts, wingnuts, and washers that are usually made of steel, brass, and plastic. These bolts, wingnuts, and washers can be loose over time. And while fixing a toilet seat is straightforward, it is still not the same for all types making it a tiny bit complicated. Different toilet type spell different repair methods. So, if you want to learn how to fix loose toilet seats, it is imperative that you first know their types.

  • Top-fixing toilet seats
  • Top-fixing toilet seats are one of the basic types of toilet seats. It is similar to bottom-fixing toilet seats while different only in the direction they are tightened. In the case of top-fixing toilet seats, the toilet seat hardware is tightened totally from the top rather than leaning over to access the wingnuts under the bowl. They are more frequent in restrooms with skirts.
  • Bottom-fixing toilet seats
  • Unlike top-fixing toilet seats, bottom-fixing ones are tightened in the opposite direction. Bottom-fixing toilet seats are tightened by tightening a wingnut and washer onto a bolt from the toilet bowl’s underside while twisting the bolt with a screwdriver from the bowl’s top.
  • Quick-release toilet seat
  • Quick-release toilet seats are those that can be quickly discharged. It just requires one to press a button or slide a thing. Afterward, you just need to screw the toilet seat mounting hardware, and you are good to go.
  • Toilet seats with metallic bolts
  • Toilet seats with metallic bolts operate like normal toilet seats; the only difference is that it uses metallic bolts for attachment.
  • Toilet seats with plastic bolts
  • There is barely any difference between a toilet seat with plastic bolts and a regular toilet seat. It is just that the former uses plastic bolts for installation.

Tools You Will Need to Tighten Toilet Seats

stop toilet seat sliding

Tightening your toilet seat requires some tools you can easily find at home. Some of these are the following:

  • Adjustable wrench (optional)
  • Nuts
  • Pliers (optional)
  • Ratchet wrench with a deep socket (optional)
  • Screwdriver
  • Toilet seat tightening kit (optional)
  • Hacksaw blade (optional)

How to Tighten Toilet Seats (Clear and Easy-to-follow Steps)

how to fix loose toilet seat

Here are four easy steps that you can follow to make your loose toilet seat snug fit.

  • Locate the Bolts

Some toilet seat bolts are visible, but how to tighten toilet seat with concealed fixings? Most toilet seats have inconspicuous fixings; hence, most bolts are concealed by a plastic flap that snaps closed. In these cases, you can use the screwdriver to push these plastic covers apart and reveal the bolts (do not break them off).

  • Tighten the Bolts

Lose toilet seats are caused by loose bolts. So, once revealed, you can start tightening them. If they have slotted heads, use the screwdriver to turn them counterclockwise. Make sure that the tightness of the bolts is the same on both sides so that the toilet seat is level. In the case that the bolt does not tighten, using a plier, grip a nut and thread it to the bolt from below. This will reinforce the bolt so it will no longer be lost. But the question “how to tighten toilet seat with no access underside?” In this instance, you just have to be extra patient, as most toilet seats have access space that is only hard to notice since they are hidden from plain view. Likewise, remember to not over-tighten things to not break the toilet, and be extra careful if the bolt is made of plastic, as it might break.

  • Tighten it further

If you think the bolt is not secured enough, you can tighten the nut from below. To do this, you can use a ratchet wrench or an adjustable wrench. Use these tools to turn the nuts clockwise and tighten them. Do not overdo this as well.  

  • Replace the bolts

If the toilet seat screw won’t tighten or breaks, the frozen bolt may have to be cut off with a hacksaw blade, or you can just buy new ones to replace them, but you’ll want to make sure the screws are the correct length.

Conclusion

If you plan to stop toilet seat sliding, then doing it immediately is better. Aside from avoiding due inconvenience, you are preventing harm that might hurt you and your family. But loose screws are not everything. Sometimes, the toilet seat is no longer suitable and beyond “repair.” In these cases, stop asking, “how to tighten toilet lid?” but instead, “where to buy the best toilet seat?” And what could be a better answer than the quality toilet suites or toilet accessories available in MyHomeware?

FAQs about Toilet Seat Tightening

Is There a Special Tool for Toilet Seat Tightening?

There is no definite special tool for toilet tightening. The toilet seat tightening kit is probably the closest to this kind of tool. They usually include some screws, bolts and rubber washers for replacement and fitting under the bolt, solving the extra space problem. Besides, you can also use a ratchet wrench with a deep socket to tighten the loose bolts on the toilet seat.

Why Does My Toilet Keep Loosening?

First, check if the bolts are too short or broken. Replace them if they have any problems.
If the bolts are in good condition, then check the hole in the toilet bowl rim which may be too large. If it’s indeed too large, the bolts that hold the toilet seat will not be able to fit snuggly. To solve this, you can use inexpensive rubber bushings to help stabilize the seat.

How Often Do I Need to Replace the Toilet Seat?

Toilet seats typically last for five to ten years, but their lifespan is still subject to the way they are being used and the material they are made of. For example, padded ones may be faster to break and more susceptible to discoloration than those made from wood and plastic. So check your toilet seat regularly and replace them with quality ones when necessary.

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