How to Replace a Toilet Seat | Ask This Old House

In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows us how to replace a toilet seat, explaining the standard shapes of seats and the potential problems a DIYer might encounter.

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey puts the mystery behind toilet seat replacements to rest. Richard shows host Kevin O’Connor how simple toilet seat replacements have become, with standard sizes and bolt patterns. He even explains how corrosion-free plastic hardware is very easy to work with during installation.

Difficulty: ⅕
Cost: Under $50 in most cases
Time: Under 1 hour

Toilet Seat Standards
Toilet seats come in two standard varieties: oval and round. All oval toilet seats will fit oval toilets, and all round seats fit round toilets. The spacing of the bolts that hold these seats to the toilet are also standard, so the only consideration to think of is the shape of the toilet.

How to Replace a Toilet Seat
1. There are two caps on the back of the toilet seat on either side. Use a flat screwdriver to pop these caps off to gain access to the bolt.
2. Look underneath the toilet seat and find the plastic nuts holding the seat in place. Use the pliers to get a grip on one of the nuts. There’s no need to squeeze too tightly; medium pressure will do.
3. Return to the top of the toilet and use the widest screwdriver possible to loosen the bolt while still holding the nut underneath. The nut will usually loosen easily after the first few turns, so the pliers may become unnecessary.
4. Repeat the process on the other bolt. Pull up on the toilet seat to remove it.
5. Place the new toilet seat on the toilet, and pass the bolts through the holes. Many seats have plastic barbs to help keep the bracket in place. Push them through the bolt holes as well.
6. Place the new plastic nut on the bolt and thread it on by hand. Once snug, tighten the bolt with the screwdriver, but do not over-tighten.
7. Repeat the process on the other side and press the plastic caps down over the bolts.

How to Remove Corroded Toilet Seat Bolts
Older toilet seat bolts and nuts were metal, and they could fuse together due to corrosion from moisture and urine. Here’s how to remove them.

1. Place a piece of duct tape on the toilet to protect it.
2. Lay a putty knife on the tape and hold it flat against the toilet.
3. Pass the hacksaw back and forth to cut through the plastic hinge and eventually through the bolt.
4. Remove the toilet seat and tap the cut bolt through the toilet.

Where to find it?
Richard demonstrates how to replace an old or damaged toilet seat. When installing a new seat the first step is to determine what size toilet seat you need, be sure to use the right size seat to match the existing toilet.

Materials:

Tools:

About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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How to Replace a Toilet Seat | Ask This Old House

[brettking]

I'm thinking about starting a septic tank company...my catchphrase you ask? "YOUR #2 IS OUR #1" 🤣

[LittleBearAndJazzie]

Thank you so much! My general repairs book only covered the plastic hardware… your explanation of older toilet hardware and how to remove it was a lifesaver. Thanks again!

[vickycardenas]

Thank you YouTube dads for helping me change a toilet seat.

[simply_denise]

Dang! I wish I had watched this video before I went to the depot 😊 50/50 chance and of course I chose the wrong one haha

[charlessumner]

Thank you! I’m taking mine off right now. One came off easy and the other one is stuck on so I learned that I need a bigger screwdriver before I strip it and if worse comes to worse, I can sell it off. I’m very grateful for the info.

[likearockcm]

I think the only guy on the planet that can make toilet seats interesting and fun is RICHARD!!!!

[suomynona]

I did not think for a second to look under the toilet 😭 thank you

[BigFatJuicyMonkies]

Thanks for the video. I've been meaning to change out the seats on my toilets soon.

[HAMRADIOJOE]

I THINK RICHARD WANTED TO PUT THE NEW SEAT ON

[LongTimeTTFan]

Thanks. Great video. Indeed, removing the old seat is the toughest part.
When I replaced one of the bathrooms seat of 20+ years, I had to saw the metal screw off. But I had to saw it from the bottom. It was pain in the neck.

[noneyabiz]

The only issue i have with these cheap plasic bolts is they never seem to get tight enough to keep the lid from sliding around after awhile. God forbid you over tighten one! Very annoying.

[lisabeckstrom]

Thanks so much for this video! I found it very helpful.😊 I just moved into my new place and noticed one of the toilet seats needs replacing. I feel I can do this now. So thanks again for the help! 😊😊

[mel]

Another great This Old House demo. My only suggestion is that the bowl should have been covered before sawing, to prevent something from falling in.

[poppetanya]

Well thank yoou. Was gonna call my maintenance man to replace my toilet seat. But i see I can do it on my own

[greenjedi]

What about a video for the toilet seats that can only be accessed from above?

[tretre]

You guys are the only thing I watch on my Roku! Love the show!

[yambo]

He really should have addressed the broken hinges so common on todays seats, He left a WHOLE LOT of important info on how cheap todays hinges are made and how often they break due to light duty construction

[geraldbarney]

Some Toto brand toilets use special hardware - expandable rubber tube that goes into the hole. A long stainless steel screw with a flat washer is screwed into it and tightened, which causes the rubber tube to expand inside the hole and pull tight. Installation is all done topside. Because it is rubber, you can screw it very tight and it won’t harm the porcelain. Much better, more secure fastener then plastic bolts.

[eddieespinosa]

Once I loosen the top I hand turn the nut while holding the slotted part and it comes out easy. It avoids standing there turning the screw driver

[janetlogan]

Thanks so much video. Saved me from calling a plumber tonight. I had to use the saw but it was so easy!