In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and host Kevin O'Connor share tips for removing rusted, stubborn toilet seats.
Steps for changing a toilet seat
- Snap open the protective covers concealing the screws that secure the seat to the toilet.
- Use a wide-blade screwdriver to loosen the screws. Remove the nuts and lift the seat from the toilet.
- If necessary, reach underneath the toilet and prevent the nuts from spinning by holding them by hand or with a wrench or pliers.
- For a toilet seat that's secured with brass bolts, loosen the nuts from below using a ratchet wrench fitted with a deep socket.
- If the nuts are rusted onto the bolts, squirt penetrating oil onto the bolt threads and wait 10 minutes. Then, try loosening the nut with the ratchet wrench.
- When all else fails, cut the toilet seat free using a close-quarter hacksaw.
- Protect toilet's porcelain surface with a wide putty knife, and carefully saw through the two bolts.