How to replace a toilet seat
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Replacing a toilet seat is one of the easiest plumbing jobs — most modern toilet seats clip or bolt on without any specialist tools. The main requirement is measuring your toilet pan correctly to buy a compatible seat.
Measure your toilet pan: the fixing hole spacing (the distance between the two bolt holes at the back of the pan), and whether the pan shape is round or elongated (D-shaped). Standard UK hole spacing is typically 155mm centre-to-centre, but older or designer pans vary. Some manufacturers offer adjustable hinge positions.
Remove the old seat: look underneath the rear of the pan for two plastic caps covering the hinge bolts. Flip the caps up, unscrew the bolts (usually a flat-head), and lift the seat off. Some older seats have wing nuts under the pan — reach under from the front to unscrew.
Fit the new seat: insert the hinge bolts through the pan holes, position the seat over the hinges, and tighten the nuts from below until snug (hand-tight plus a quarter turn with a spanner — do not overtighten, ceramic can crack). Clip any plastic covers over the bolt heads.
Soft-close seats have a damped hinge mechanism and should be positioned so the damper engages correctly — usually the seat should rest flat on the pan rim without any gap at the hinge end.
Quick-release seats (a Grohe, Roca, or similar feature) click onto a hinge base that stays fixed to the pan. These are much easier to clean and are worth the small premium for bathrooms with children.
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