Fixes and proactive measures to help you, well, sit tight
Fixing a wobbly toilet seat is one of the most common bathroom issues homeowners run into. Fortunately, learning how to tighten a toilet seat is easy; there are a handful of DIY methods to fix it and plenty of preventative measures you can take to keep your toilet seat in place. From the tools you do and don’t need to when it might be worth calling in a pro, here’s how to fix a toilet seat no matter the circumstance.
Why Is My Toilet Seat Loose?
There are a handful of reasons why your toilet seat may no longer be as stable as it once was. If you noticed shifting early on, odds are the seat wasn’t installed properly to begin with. Either the bolts were screwed in too tight or not enough, or they weren’t the right size for the holes in your toilet. You can find out quickly by taking a closer look at the state of your loose toilet seat. You’ll be able to tell right away if the bolts are the root of the issue.
Another likely possibility is that your toilet seat is simply showing wear and tear from regular use. Repeated openings and closings can loosen bolts over time, and letting the lid slam shut can cause cracking, which may eventually lead to the toilet seat hinges snapping right off.
You might also have a broken toilet seat. If you’re thinking that would be obvious, remember that some toilet seat fractures aren’t in easily visible places. Check the parts of your toilet seat that aren’t normally in your line of vision to make sure damages or other toilet issues aren’t the culprit behind all the wobbling.
Preparing to Fix a Loose Toilet Seat
As with any home repair project, there are a few things you can do ahead of time to ensure smooth sailing and great results. Start by cleaning your toilet completely.
Use cleaning wipes or quickly wipe the toilet down with disinfectant spray and paper towels before you start fixing your loose toilet seat. Fun fact: Your toilet is not the dirtiest or most bacteria-ridden area in your bathroom—it's almost always the toothbrush holder, according to the NSF). However, you’ll still want to give it a good antibacterial wipe-down before starting your repairs.
Next, inspect your toilet seat to discover the issue and ensure you have the right tools to fix it. In most cases, all you need is a screwdriver, but new bolts or toilet seat repair kits may be necessary, depending on the problem. Once you’ve deduced why your toilet seat is loose, gather the necessary supplies to fix it and remove any obstacles from your workspace. Now, you’re ready to get started.
How to Tighten Your Toilet Seat
Because several different things can cause a loose toilet seat, there are also a handful of ways to repair it. Here’s how to fix a toilet seat depending on the issue you’re experiencing.
1. Use a Screwdriver
If loose bolts are why your toilet seat is wobbling, grab a screwdriver and get ready for an arm workout. First, determine which bolts are loose. Your toilet seat connects to the back of the bowl's base with one or two long screws or bolts.
Once you’ve located the loose bolts, remove anything covering them (like plastic caps). If you can’t undo these by hand because they’re old or jammed, lift them up from underneath with a flathead screwdriver or even a butter knife if that’s all you have.
Working one at a time, place the screwdriver in the bolts and turn clockwise to tighten them. Make sure to tighten them all the same amount to ensure your toilet seat is balanced.
2. Use a Wrench
Look for your toilet seat nuts underneath the bowl on either side. Use an adjustable wrench to tighten the nuts. If space is tight, you may need to use a ratchet or socket wrench.
3. Replace the Bolts
If tightening both bolts doesn't help—or the bolts aren't turnable—you may need to invest in new bolts altogether. You’ll know this is your problem if the bolts won’t come out easily or they’re quite old and tarnished. The standard size for toilet seat bolts is 2 1/4 inches, and the nuts are 3/8 inches. Find out which size you need by looking at the product specifications or asking a plumber.
4. Use a Toilet Seat Repair Kit
Toilet seat repair kits include all the tools you need to make your toilet seat as stable as it once was, so they’re great for home repair beginners who might not have all the right gadgets at the ready. We’re talking about new bolts, nuts, and everything in between. Each kit's contents vary, and some are brand specific, so double-check that it has everything you need and is adaptable to your toilet model before making any purchases.
5. Replace the Toilet Seat
If all else fails, or you’ve found a crack or damage on your toilet seat, it’s probably time to buy a new one. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a pro to know how to replace a toilet seat.
Before you can get started, take measurements of your toilet, so you know which toilet seat size to buy. Gather your tools, including a screwdriver, wrench, and new nuts and bolts if necessary.
Begin by removing the nuts and bolts from your toilet. Then, detach your current toilet seat and set it aside. Set the new one in place, and use a screwdriver to reinsert the bolts in the same spots, one at a time. Seal each bolt with a nut and firmly secure it with a wrench.
How to Prevent a Loose Toilet Seat
Now that you know how to fix a toilet seat, here’s how to prevent it from becoming loose in the first place.
Balance Your Toilet With Shims
If you know the floor is a little uneven, that could be another reason you have a loosened toilet seat. If this is the case, installing shims underneath can help. Shims are tapered wedges that help balance any uneven home elements, from a slanted table to a lopsided toilet.
Shims come in many different materials, from metal to wood, but plastic shims are the best options for humid spaces like bathrooms because they’re moisture resistant. A pack of four toilet shims costs around $4 on average.
Place the shims at the base of your toilet on the uneven side. Gently push them in without too much force. Stop pushing when the shims begin to push your toilet upwards. Take care since lifting your toilet too high may break the protective wax ring that connects your toilet to the floor and cause leaking at the toilet base.
Install Seat Stabilizers
Once you’ve fixed a loose toilet seat, keep it intact by installing seat stabilizers underneath the bowl. You can install these with adhesive or screws directly on the underside of your toilet seat, and they prevent it from wobbling while you sit on it. Less day-to-day wobbling also means that the nuts and bolts won’t loosen as quickly as they otherwise might.
A toilet-seat stabilizer kit costs under $5 at home improvement stores. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines. Start by drilling a small starter hole, then secure the rubber strips onto both sides of the toilet.
Switch to a Slow-Close Toilet Seat
Regularly slamming the toilet lid shut is the number one cause of loose toilet seats. Over time, this force loosens the nuts and screws. You might choose to install a slow-close toilet seat to reduce impact. These types of toilet seats come in various design styles and price points. You can generally find them for anywhere from $20 to $50 at home improvement stores.
Ask a Plumber for Guidance
If all else fails, a local plumber can inspect your toilet's situation and give additional guidance. This pro visit may include recommendations for installing the best toilet seat for your home, such as a low-flow, energy-saving toilet or adjusting the toilet height for your needs. For example, some smart toilet seats are customizable and include features like a bidet.
How Often Should You Replace a Toilet Seat?
Toilet seats can last between five and seven years, depending on the material and how they are installed and cared for. Taking preventative measures, like installing seat stabilizers, will increase the lifespan of your toilet seats. So will buying one made of a more durable substance, like wood instead of plastic. Ultimately, you only really need to replace your toilet seat when it’s visibly broken or if it doesn’t function as it should, no matter how many repairs you attempt.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
The cost to hire a toilet repair person to tighten a loose toilet seat ranges from $50 to $70, according to HomeAdvisor. On the flip side, doing it yourself may cost nothing, depending on which materials you need. However, you may want to turn to a pro if you’ve tried every fix in the book.
