As a home improvement expert who loves renovating bathrooms, I often get questions about removing toilet seats. One of the trickiest steps can be snapping off those pesky bolts that hold the seat in place. But don‘t worry! With the right approach and tools, you can definitely handle this project yourself.
In this comprehensive DIY guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to successfully remove toilet seat bolts. Whether you‘re replacing the seat or just need to remove it for cleaning, this step-by-step guide will have you covered.
Choosing the Right Tools
Having the proper tools will make your life much easier when tackling this toilet repair. Here are the tools I recommend having on hand:
Locking Pliers
A good pair of locking pliers, also known as vice grips, gives you the tight grip and leverage you need to unscrew bolts that feel stuck. I prefer the 10-inch size – large enough to grab well but still nimble.
Penetrating Oil
Penetrating oils like WD-40 break down rust and corrosion to loosen bolts. Spray or drizzle it generously on the bolts and let it sit 10-15 minutes before trying to remove them.
Dremel Rotary Tool
A Dremel rotary tool fitted with a metal cutoff wheel will slice through toilet bolts with ease. I recommend a variable speed model for control.
Hacksaw
A hacksaw with a fine-toothed metal blade is a handy backup for cutting bolts if you don‘t have a Dremel. I keep one in my toolbox just in case!
Toilet Wrench
A specialized toilet wrench or socket wrench prevents slippage and stripping. The jaw fits right over nuts and bolts for optimal grip.
Safety Glasses
Never cut metal without safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying debris. Prescription glasses don’t provide enough protection on their own.
Okay, with the right gear assembled, you‘re ready to start tackling those toilet seat bolts!
Identifying Your Toilet‘s Bolt Style
Not all toilet seat bolts are created equal. Before taking any removal action, you need to identify what style of bolts you‘re dealing with. There are two main options:
Metal Bolts
The traditional choice is metal bolts, usually made from stainless steel or aluminum. They thread into matching metal nuts below the bowl. With the right penatrating oil and elbow grease, metal bolts generally unscrew pretty easily.
Plastic Bolts
In recent years, plastic bolts have become a popular choice for toilet seats. They are typically paired with plastic nuts and both are molded from nylon or polypropylene. Plastic bolts won‘t corrode, but they can become brittle and prone to cracking. Special care is needed when removing them.
Once you‘ve identified the bolt style, you can move ahead with the appropriate removal method. Let‘s go through both scenarios.
Removing Metal Toilet Seat Bolts
If you‘ve got metal toilet seat bolts, here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Loosen Bolts with Penetrating Oil
Spray or drizzle penetrating oil liberally on the threaded ends of the bolts and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. This gives it time to work its magic dissolving any rust or mineral buildup. WD-40 works well, but a dedicated penetrant like PB Blaster is even better.
Douse the bolts in penetrating spray and let it soak in before trying to remove them.
Step 2: Firmly Grip Bolts with Locking Pliers
After letting the penetrant sit, grab the bolts as close to the base as possible with your locking pliers. Get a tight grip and hold the pliers level to prevent stripping the bolts.
Use locking pliers to tightly grip the bolt for removal.
Step 3. Twist Bolts While Lifting Upward
Here’s where some elbow grease comes in. While tightly gripping the bolt with the pliers, push upward while simultaneously twisting back and forth. The penetrant should allow the bolts to gradually loosen their grip as you work them up and down.
Twist and lift the bolts at the same time to walk them upward out of the nuts.
Step 4. Remove Nuts and Clean Corrosion
Once the bolts detach, remove the metal nuts from below the toilet bowl. A toilet wrench helps provide grip and leverage for unscrewing them. Use a wire brush to scrub away any rust or mineral buildup where the bolts attached.
And that’s it! With some penetrant, elbow grease, and proper tools, those metal toilet seat bolts don‘t stand a chance.
Removing Plastic Toilet Seat Bolts
Plastic toilet seat bolts require a more gentle touch, but can still be removed successfully. Here are some tips:
Use Care Not to Crack Plastic
The main risk is cracking the brittle plastic nuts or bolts. Avoid tools like pliers or wrenches which apply concentrated pressure. Heat and lubricant help loosen things.
Heat to Loosen Bolts
Try heating up the plastic nuts/bolts carefully with a hairdryer to help soften and loosen the plastic so they‘ll twist off easier.
Lubricate with Cooking Spray
Spray cooking oil like PAM on the nuts and bolts and let it sit to penetrate. The oil will help loosen the grip. Wipe off excess oil afterward.
Cut Bolts with Dremel If Needed
If the bolts absolutely won‘t budge after trying the above, carefully slice through them with a Dremel and metal cutoff wheel while avoiding the nuts.
Drill Out Broken Nut Remnants
For any cracked plastic nuts with remnants stuck in place, use a power drill to gently drill them out.
With care and gentleness, those plastic bolts don‘t need to be a headache. Just take it slow and steady.
Installing New Toilet Seat Bolts
Once you’ve successfully removed the old bolts, it’s time to install new ones for your replacement toilet seat. Here are some pro tips:
- Choose bolt lengths 1/4" to 1/2" longer than your bowl thickness. This leaves space for the nuts.
- Tighten plastic nuts by hand only, plus a quarter turn with pliers. Overtightening can crack them.
- Use stainless steel bolts and nuts whenever possible. They resist corrosion much better than chromed brass.
- Apply non-metallic anti-seize lubricant on threads before installing. This prevents future corrosion and sticking.
- A toilet wrench provides great leverage for tightening bolts and nuts without stripping.
There you have it – follow these steps and you can install new toilet seat bolts with confidence.
Common Questions
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about removing toilet seat bolts:
What size are standard toilet seat bolts?
Most residential toilets use 1/4"-20 threaded bolts or 5/16"-18 threaded bolts. Measure yours to be sure.
What should I do if the porcelain cracks during removal?
Stop work immediately! The toilet may need replacement if cracks are large. You can try sealing small cracks with marine epoxy before leaks occur.
Can I cut plastic bolts if the nuts are stuck?
It‘s best to remove intact nuts if possible, as they can be reused. Try lubricating and heating the nuts first. But if all else fails, carefully cut the bolts with a Dremel.
How do I deal with seat fittings instead of nuts/bolts?
Rotate the fittings counterclockwise to release them from the toilet bowl. You may need to grip tightly with pliers.
Help! My seat is caulked to the toilet bowl!
Use a utility knife to gently cut through the caulk around the top of the bowl. Scrape off all residue before installing the new seat.
In Closing
I hope these detailed steps give you confidence to tackle that toilet seat removal project yourself. With the right tools and techniques, you can definitely handle removing those tricky bolts and get your toilet sparkling again. Let me know if you have any other DIY bathroom questions!
