Replacing Toilet Seat Hinges Is Way Easier Than You Probably Think

When your toilet seat hinges are broken, it's obvious. The toilet lid slams down hard instead of gently easing closed, the seat won't stay up or slides underneath you, and sometimes, the seat sits crooked on the toilet, giving the whole room a shabby air. Most homeowners think the solution is to replace the entire toilet seat, but just swapping out the toilet seat hinges is quick, inexpensive, and a lot simpler than most people think. All you need to do is remove any screws, nuts, and bolts from the seat, and then replace with your new hardware. 

While toilet seats average around $30, the toilet seat hinge replacements are usually half the cost or less. The rest of the tools — a flathead screwdriver and gloves, if you want them — are likely already in your toolbox. Of course, if your toilet seat hasn't been replaced in a while, it may be time to get a new one, but if yours is relatively new and still comfortable, consider picking up replacement hinges and setting aside a little time this weekend to complete this quick project!

First, open your toilet seat's lid and unscrew the screws on the hinges holding it in place so the lid can be completely removed. If there are protective coverings on the hinges themselves, remove those so you can access the bolts and nuts holding the hinges to the toilet base. Remove the nuts, and carefully lift the hinges and bolts off the toilet base. Be careful that nothing falls into the toilet bowl by accident!

Next, place the toilet lid and seat face down on the floor so you have a steady surface, then attach your new hinges. Line the bolts of the new hinge up with the toilet base and carefully insert the bolts according to the seat type until the toilet seat and lid are flush with the base. Screw the nuts around the hinge bolts, making sure they are as tight as possible to prevent the toilet seat from sliding. Test it out by moving the lid and seat up and down. If you have a full range of motion, your toilet seat hinge replacement was a success!

Finding the right hinges to fit your toilet seat is as easy as replacing them. If you kept the toilet seat's box or wrote down the model number, you're in luck! Look up your seat to figure out what size you need. If you didn't, don't worry. Typically, the universal toilet seat hinge replacements will fit most toilets unless you have a designer seat and lid. It's still worth double checking the measurements of your hinge and seat before you head to the hardware store.

It's also important to understand what type of toilet seat you have. Toilet seats are either top fixing or bottom fixing. Top fixing means the toilet seat's bolts slide into the toilet base (also known as the toilet pan) from below and are secured from above. Bottom fixing, on the other hand, indicates the bolts are tightened from below the toilet pan. A quick glance at your toilet should tell you what yours is. If you want to make sure to get an exact match, bring your broken or faulty hinges with you to the hardware store. Having concrete examples to measure against never hurts.