Solana Beach, CA Plumbers Share Some Tips on How to Fix a Loose Toilet Seat

Is your toilet seat loose, wobbling from the left to the right? A loose toilet seat can be a really annoying problem. The good news is, a loose toilet seat is a problem that’s pretty easy to fix.

What Causes a Toilet Seat to Become Loose?

There can be a lot of reasons why your toilet seat is loose. In most cases, wear and tear loosen the bolts that hold the seat secure. While not an emergency, it’s a problem you don’t want to put off. Not only can your toilet seat become damaged beyond repair, it could also damage the toilet itself – and that would be an emergency.

Fixing a Loose Toilet Seat

Most toilet seats are connected to the toilet by two long bolts. You’re going to have to tighten these bolts to stop the wobbling.

First, lower the toilet seat. You’ll notice two plastic hinge caps on either side of the seat. Use a screwdriver to open the caps.

Before you tighten the bolts, make sure the seat is in proper alignment with the rim of the toilet bowl. It should rest evenly along the top of the bowl. Make a few sit-down tests to ensure the seat is lined up the way it ought to be.

Once the seat is in proper alignment, you can tighten the screws. Keep screwing until the seat is secured in place. Be careful not to overtighten the bolts – you could damage the surrounding porcelain.

In most cases, the bolts are held in place by wing nuts. If the bolts spin or don’t tighten you may have to hold the wing nut in place with a wrench while you tighten the bolt.

If the bolts are attached by wing nuts, you may have to use a screwdriver to hold the bolt in place while you tighten the wing nut.

Replacing a Loose Toilet Seat Isn’t That Difficult

If the seat is no longer usable you can replace it much the same way you tighten the seat. Simply loosen and remove the bolts, remove the old seat, install the new seat, ensure that it’s properly aligned, and then replace the bolts, tightening them until the seat is securely held in place.

A loose toilet seat is a minor inconvenience most homeowners can handle on their own. Unfortunately, not all toilet problems are so easy to fix. If your toilet is leaking at the base or it’s clogging and backing up on a regular basis, you need to call a professional.

The  First Choice for Toilet Repairs in Solana Beach, CA

1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration has been providing outstanding plumbing services to home and business owners in Solana Beach and surrounding communities since 2012. Our team of licensed Solana Beach, CA plumbers have the tools and experience to tackle just about any plumbing problem – usually in one visit. We can even install a new toilet if necessary.

If you’re dealing with a problem toilet in Solana Beach, CA, contact 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration through our website or call us at 866-437-0205. We’re available 24/7 to fix whatever plumbing emergency you’re facing.