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Toilet seats are not just for sitting. They can also add a touch of beauty to any bathroom. A toilet seat is a functional accessory that helps to protect the toilet bowl and keeps it in good shape. However, you must understand how to measure toilet seats before buying one. This way, you will buy the right size that fits perfectly with the bathroom!
This post will look at how to measure a toilet seat. We’ll also learn how to install a new toilet seat hassle-free. Keep on reading!
Standard Vs. Elongated Toilet Seats
Elongated toilet seats have a length of about 18 inches and are designed for people who need additional space to sit down. If you or your family are over 5 feet tall, consider installing an elongated toilet seat in the bathroom.
Standard toilet seats have a length of about 16 inches. They’re most commonly found in standard bathrooms and homes because they fit comfortably on all types of toilets, including older models that don’t allow elongation.
Manufacturers don’t standardize toilet seat sizes, so it can be difficult to determine whether the seat is standard or elongated without measuring it yourself.
Step by step process of measuring a toilet seat
1. Step 1
Measure the height of the toilet seat. You should measure from the top of the toilet seat to the floor.
2. Step 2
Remove the base plate of the toilet by unscrewing it with a Phillips screwdriver. If you have an older model toilet, there may be nuts holding down the base plate instead of screws.
3. Step 3
Take measurements from the inside of the toilet bowl. Measure from one side of the bowl to another side and again from back to front. Write these measurements down on paper before removing any parts from the toilet.
This will help you during installation when you need to know where everything goes back together again.
Indicators that It’s Time to Replace the toilet seat
When it comes to toilet seats, there are various signs that you need to replace your current seat. These include:
Leaking
A leaking toilet seat can be caused by a cracked or damaged seal that allows water to escape through the cracks. This can cause damage to the flooring and other areas around the toilet and cause mold and mildew to grow in those areas.
Cracks and chips
When you have a crack or chip in the toilet seat, it can cause bacteria to grow and spread through the cracks. This can lead to health issues such as UTIs or urinary tract infections along with other complications such as bladder infections or kidney infections, as well as bacterial infections in other areas of the body such as the bloodstream or lungs (in some cases).
Scratches
Scratches on the toilet seat can also indicate that it’s time for a replacement since they provide a place for bacteria to breed and multiply in those areas, making them more susceptible to infection than if they were smooth surfaces without any flaws.
How To Install A Toilet Seat?
Here is our step-by-step tutorial on installing a new bathroom seat effectively:
1. Measure The Existing Toilet Seat
To ensure your replacement seat will fit, you’ll need to measure the dimensions of the existing toilet seat. These include width and depth, also the distance between the back of the toilet and where it meets the wall.
If you are replacing a wooden seat cut down to accommodate a smaller person, you will need to know its thickness.
2. Raise And Tilt The Lid Off The Toilet Tank
With a few simple steps, you can remove the toilet tank lid.
- The first step is to lift and tilt the tank’s lid by hand. Never use tools to raise or lower the lid; this will damage both tools and the toilet.
- Do not use a hammer or wrench when removing bolts that hold down the toilet tank’s lid. These tools may cause damage to both surfaces being struck and any nearby objects such as walls, cabinets, or molding around them.
- Also, avoid using screwdrivers for this task; screws make it easy for you to scratch surfaces without realizing it.
3. Apply Penetrating Oil Such As WD-40
If a bolt does not come loose, do not force it. Instead, apply penetrating oil such as WD-40, let it sit for a few hours, and then try again. If you are still unable to loosen the bolt after letting the penetrating oil sit for several hours or overnight, do not continue to attempt removal yourself. Instead, call a plumber who will have specialized tools and training to remove stubborn bolts from the toilet seat.
4. Carefully Remove The Old Seat
- Carefully remove the old seat so you can transfer bolts and washers (if included) to your new seat.
- Use a screwdriver to loosen the bolts, or if the toilet has a plastic seat, pry it off with a flathead screwdriver.
- Use a towel or rag to protect the toilet seat from scratches as you remove it.
- Remove any bolts and washers holding the old seat; make sure you transfer all these parts to your new toilet seat!
5. Install The New One And Lower The Lid
- Take a look at the lid of the tank. It’s important to ensure that it is level with the new seat and that they are both in line with each other.
- Check the height of the toilet seat and the tank against the new one. This will give you an idea of how much adjustment needs to be made when installing your new toilet seat.
- Check where on the underside of the tank there are screws holding it into place so that you know where to screw in any brackets or latches for attaching it back onto its hinges when attaching a new toilet seat.
FAQs
What is an ADA-compliant toilet seat?
An ADA-compliant toilet seat has been tested and meets specific requirements for ease of use for people with disabilities. It also allows easy transfer from a wheelchair or walker and provides extra stability and comfort for those who need it.
What’s the best way to clean my toilet seat?
To clean a wooden toilet seat, use warm water and mild soap, then rinse with clean water. Use a mild cleaning solution for plastic or vinyl seats to avoid scratching or removing any coating on the surface. If you have a leather or vinyl cover on the wooden toilet seat, remove it before cleaning, so it does not get damaged by water or bleach.
Conclusion
In conclusion, measuring a toilet seat is not as straightforward as one would think. The most important thing to remember when measuring a toilet seat is that it needs to be measured from the center of the bowl’s drain hole. Also, measuring all three dimensions of a toilet seat is necessary to get an accurate measurement.