Toilet Seat Hinge Replacement: A Complete Guide

The toilet is essential in your home. Most people do not want to think about how much time they spend in the bathroom in a day. But a decent amount of time is spent there and mainly sitting on the toilet seat. The simple act of opening and closing the seat is essential, though it may seem like something automatic. The toilet hinges on your toilet should work smoothly and any change in how the hinges move will change your experience in the bathroom. Considering the importance of this room, it's worth looking for a solution to keep your toilet functioning as expected without any problem.

Some of the toilet parts that wear out after sometime include the seat hinges. They are vital and must be functional to prevent unnecessary movements when using the toilet. The hinges are found at the rear part of your toilet and ensure your lid can move up and down smoothly without getting stuck. In case your lid is not functioning properly, consider checking the hinges and change them if necessary. Hinges are easy to change and it's a simple task that doesn't require any skill or much experience. However, the bolts and nuts require you to know how to handle them, as well as basic knowledge on how to use tools such as a wrench and a measuring tape for a successful toilet hinge replacement.

We present you with our Hinge Replacement: A Complete Guide. It will highlight the benefits of replacing your toilet seat hinge and the steps to conduct a hinge replacement without hiring a professional.

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How to Choose the Toilet Seat Hinge

Now you know that your toilet needs hinge replacement. The next step is buying the right pair. It sounds simple, but it's quite involved. When purchasing toilet seat hinges, make sure they can fit perfectly. If possible, have a photo of your toilet seat or the name of the brand to show the spare part supplier. It helps you find the right accessories to fix the seat hinges. Here are simple steps to help you choose the right hinges for your toilet seat.

Start By Determining Your Toilet Seat Hinges

Toilet seat hinges may look like they are the same, but it's not the truth. Hinges come in different sizes, and therefore you must know the best ones for your toilet. You can buy hinges of your seat brand which makes it easier to change them. If the seat is old fashioned and no longer available, you can make a particular order.

If you are not sure about the brand, take the measurements of the old seat hinges.

Seat hinges are not always cheap. Your toilet brand will determine how much the hinges will cost. They are also available in different materials and you choose what you can afford or are most appropriate for your toilet. Seat hinges come in the following materials:

• Plastic: These hinges are affordable and easy to get in local stores. However, they are not durable, though effortless to change.
• Metal: Metallic hinges look great, and they are durable, but cost little more than plastic ones. However, they are affordable and worth every cent as they attach to the seat tightly to last for years.
• Designer: They are known to be expensive and only made for particular toilet brands.
• Pneumatic: These hinges are quite costly, but they ensure that a toilet seat doesn't crash and they are available in different sizes.
• Rod and hinges: They are also costly, but they are made for all toilets regardless of their sizes. They include a long metal arm and some hinges attached.

When choosing the right toilet hinges to buy, always consider what will fit your toilet perfectly before choosing them due to their aesthetic appeal.

Toilet Seat Hinge Replacement: A Complete Guide

Now that you have the right hinges, it's time to install them. Be sure to follow the steps below to replace seat hinges.

7 Steps of Hinge Replacement

Step 1. Remove the toilet seat

The first step is to remove your toilet seat. Lift the toilet seats lid to see the two hinges that need replacing. Loosen the screws; it should be easy because you simply turn them in a counter-clockwise direction. Unscrew the hinges to loosen the lid and remove it.

Step 2. Remove the old hinges

Place your toilet seat on the floor or any firm flat surface and remove the hinges that need replacement. Each hinge has two screws; remove the four of them. And then, you may need the help of a flathead screwdriver, remove the protective caps.

Loosen the bolts

The protective caps have bolts beneath them. Loosen the bolts and remove them with your fingers.

Remove the toilet hinges

The toilet hinges are automatically free once you remove the bolts and nuts.

Step 3. Fix the new hinges

Get your new hinges and attach them onto the toilet seat. Unless you have mixed them, the accessories for each hinge are packed separately and therefore, it's easy to fix them. Tighten the screws properly for a firm toilet seat.

Step 4. Add the protective caps

The protective caps should be inserted into your toilet's base.

Step 5. Tighten the bolts

After inserting the bolt and washer, place them into the base hole and screw them onto the other bolt at the bottom. Tighten with a screwdriver, but keep holding on the nut. Do this to the second bolt and tighten it properly and your toilet seat will be perfectly fixed.

Step 6. Put the protective caps back

Every bolt should have a protective cap. Replace the caps to fix the bolts and hinges tightly.

Step 7. Confirm the functionality of the seat hinges

Lift the toilet seat and then lower it to see if the hinges are functioning correctly. It must move smoothly up and down if you stuck to the steps above precisely. Now your toilet is ready for you. The toilet seat hinges are successfully replaced and safe to use.

Importance of Replacing Toilet Hinges

Replacing your toilet hinges does not have to wait until you are ready to remodel the bathroom. If you have discovered a loose movement around the toilet seat, especially when seated on it, it means some damages need to be repaired. Here are some benefits of replacing your toilet hinges before they get out of hand.

Improved appearance

If your toilets hinges are loose, your whole bathroom will look disorganized. The entire bathroom area looks hopelessly out of style and old. If you check carefully, you will realize that the hinges are worn out and no longer holding the toilet seat. It takes a hinge replacement to improve the appearance of your bathroom space.

Comfort

Nothing makes the seat most uncomfortable like the wobbly movement that occurs while you are in the middle of your business. The toilet seat must be tight to allow silence all throughout. A very loose toilet sounds like you are fighting someone as some of the pieces may fall. It can make bathroom time a nightmare for your family. Avoid any mishaps that might occur due to malfunctioning hinges. It can be risky for kids and seniors.

It is cheaper than repairing the hinges

When you buy new hinges, they come as a set. You will find new seat bolts, protective caps, and other parts instead of trying to repair what you think could be worn out. Replace the hinges wholly. It will save you money and give you peace of mind.

Simplified Cleaning

Another great benefit of replacing faulty toilet hinges is that cleaning the toilet is simplified. You can move the seat easily and can clean the hidden areas without fear of the whole seat crumbling into pieces. If you care about your home's hygiene, you will not want to deal with old hinges. Replacing them will do a lot more than just increase convenience when using the toilet.

Makes Closing the Toilet Lid Easy

Most families will argue about closing the toilet lid. A smoothly functioning toilet lid is easy to close and so there will be no more arguments in your home.

When to Replace Your Toilet Seats Hinges

• The toilet seat starts sliding from one side to another. And it becomes worse when you try to sit on it.
• The lid falls far too fast and hard when you try to close it.
• The seat appears cracked due to the pressure. This can also make the enamel look worn out. As the seat causes unwanted movement, the enamel can become bruised and eventually may lose its shine around where the seat covers.
• Stains will not clear even after vigorous cleaning.

Basics of a Toilet Seat Installation

Replacing toilet hinges doesn't always require you to hire a plumber. You can do it if you are keen to follow the simple steps on how to do it. Removing the old hinges takes a few minutes and the new ones are packaged with all the required parts. Always be sure to know the type of toilet seats you have before you purchase the hinges. The process of removing the hinges defines the installation process; all you need to do is the opposite, where you loosened, tighten, but put back the pieces as they were. Here are some tips that come in handy:

• When buying toilet hinges, always make sure they match with the toilet seat. A little difference in size and dimensions can mess the replacement process.
• Get the right tools in advance. Unless the installation instructions for your specific toilet seat hinges specifies anything else, what you need is a wrench that will fit the nuts, a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. Tools required for the installation process are determined by your seat hardware.
• Clean the toilet thoroughly before you start the replacement. You do not want to come across something gross.
• Remember to remove plastic caps, screws, and bolts before you start using the screwdriver.
• Avoid using any short cuts or skipping any of the installation steps. It can lead to a malfunctioning seat, which beats the logic of replacing your hinges. However, always feel free to call a plumber if this replacement proves too tricky for you.

How to Maintain Toilet Seat Hinges

• Always check and examine the nuts, hinges, and bolts of your toilet to ensure they are in good condition. Tighten them with a wrench as soon as you notice they are loose. Also, if they look worn out, replace them.
• Check the bumpers of the toilet seats and replace them if you need to.
• Clean the hinges regularly; they tend to be the worst place on the toilet that holds dirt. You will still see some dirt, dust, and hair around the hinges despite scrubbing the toilet regularly. The covers on the bolts holding the toilet seat cover hide a lot of dirt. You only need the right tools to clean this hidden area, and your toilet will always be appealing.

How To Clean Hinges

• Lower the toilet seat along with its cover. Open the cover of the plastic hinges using your fingers and the flat-head screwdriver.
• Use a combination of vinegar and baking soda made into a paste. Rub the paste on the hinges using a soft piece of cloth.
• Scrub the area around the hinge or use a brush with soft bristles to avoid scratching the hinge and the porcelain. A toothbrush works fine and can be easily maneuvered.
• Rinse the hinge with clean water and wipe the inside part of the hinge before putting the hinge back.
• Cleaning the area around the hinges and rinse clean before drying.

Things you need

• Vinegar
• An old toothbrush
• Friendly scouring liquid
• Flathead screwdriver
• Rags
• Baking soda

Tips

• When cleaning your toilet hinges consider the material of the screws. Some can rust, especially those made of metal. Plastic screws attract the most dirt and require deep cleaning compared to others.
• Avoid using harsh products or stiff brushes. They can ruin your hinges, the toilet seat, and the whole outlook of the toilet.

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