Toilet seat hinges usually come as an integral part of the toilet seat — either as two individual hinges to be fitted separately, or as a single unit comprising two hinges and a supporting bar.

Modern seat hinges for toilets tend either to disguise themselves under nifty little plastic covers or are featured as elegant pieces of metal work in their own right. Toilet seat manufacturers often create a hinge mechanism that is the same color and material as the seat and cover themselves, blending in artfully with the overall outline and design of the unit. But gleaming hinges in polished chrome, brass, steel — even gold plate — are a stylish alternative and can set off a wooden seat to great effect.

Replacement Toilet Seat Hinges

Most people never give their toilet seat hinges a moment’s thought, however — that is, until something goes wrong with them! It may be that the seat starts to wobble or move around against the toilet bowl underneath, or it may be because of corrosion or some sort of breakage of part of the hinge. In a situation like this, it may simply be a case of needing to tighten the bolts. Alternatively, it may be time for replacement seat hinges.

Kohler and Bemis Toilet Seat Hinges

You may also want to see if the seat itself is broken. If you have a toilet from a well-known manufacturer such as Bemis, Kohler or American Standard, the simplest solution may be to purchase a replacement seat with the hinge mechanism included. Depending on whether your toilet is round or elongated, you may find several different styles of seat to match your previous model or go with a new model. Replacement seats can be found with hinges in polished brass, brushed chrome, stainless steel and other types of metal as well as the more discreet plastic hinges that some people prefer.

But what if you want to keep your existing seat, but need to replace hinges that no longer work properly or have become corroded? This is when you need to check out suppliers of toilet seat hinges that can fit a range of different models.

Changing Your Seat Hinges

Changing your toilet seat hinges can be a relatively straightforward job, but it depends on the style of seat bolt and whether the threads of the bolts have been corroded with rust. One problem may be that your toilet is in a confined space and you don’t have very much room to work in. You may be fortunate enough to be able to remove the nuts that fasten the bolts to the bowl with a pair of pliers or a wrench. But if you find you cannot remove the nuts from the bolts, you may need to get professional help.

When you’re putting on a new toilet seat or replacing the hinges, don’t forget the importance of the little plastic washers or pads that are usually supplied to go between the hinge and the ceramic bowl. These items are included to help keep the hinge bolts tight against the bowl and prevent them loosening due to pressure and movement.

If you’ve been having trouble with a wobbly toilet seat, consider replacing the hinges. You may end up with a toilet that feels as good as new!

Featured Video: Fixing Loose Toilet Seat Hinges