A toilet seat that won’t stay up is a more common problem than you might think. However, it can be very annoying. There are a few possible causes of the problem, and in this article, we will talk about how to fix them.
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The Seat is Too Far Back
The most common reason for a seat that won’t stay up is that it’s installed too far back, especially if it’s not installed by a professional plumber. The angle between the seat and the bowl needs to be beyond 90 degrees or it will fall down. However, you can easily fix that problem.
First, loosen the lid by loosening the screws that connect the lid and the seat to the bowl. They are probably not too tight, but you might still need to use a wrench. Also, make sure not to over-tighten them later, or the material might break. If you have trouble with loosening the screws, you can use a screwdriver to keep it from spinning. Note also that some units have screws under the plastic covers, which will automatically snap back in place.
Once you loosen the screws, push the seat to the front as far as possible, and it will give you more angle between the bowl. Then, simply tighten the screws and that’s it – the toilet seat should stay up now. However, if it still won’t stay up, don’t worry – we have a few more solutions to the problem.
Toilet Not Level
If your toilet is not level, there are high chances that the seat won’t stay up. To be completely sure, find a level and put it on a closed lid. If you don’t own a level, you can download a level application on your phone. If it’s not level, you will need some toilet wedges to fix the problem. Simply slide them below the toilet, but make sure to do it in the front of the unit. It will give you some extra angle and will probably fix the problem.
However, make sure not to push wedges too hard or fast to prevent damage to the wax ring. If you damage it, don’t be surprised by the potential leakage. Once you install the wedges, use the level and check again. If it’s still not working, we have another possible solution to the problem.
Toilet Lid is Too Thick
If the combination of your lid and seat is too thick, it might cause the seat to fall back, especially if you have a cover on your seat or lid. You should first try to remove the cover and see if the problem is solved. If it’s not, or if you don’t have a cover, you might need to get a new seat or a thinner lid. However, before investing any money, try to push the lid back as much as you can.
How to Fix a Wobbly Toilet Seat
Loose Screws
Sitting on a toilet seat that constantly moves can be annoying. To fix it, you should start by checking if the screws are loose. It might be caused by wearing due to everyday use, or due to residue build-up.
First, remove the screws with a screwdriver, but if the screws spin, you should use a wrench and pliers to hold them in place. When you remove the seat, check if screw locations have any residue and clean them. If there was some residue, install the seat again and check if the problem persists.
If the seat is still wobbly, you should buy some rubber toilet seat washers and place them between screws and the toilet. Once the seat is secured, the problem should be solved.
The Seat is the Wrong Size
Note that every unit has spacers on the bottom side that keep the seat from resting directly on the unit. If the size is not correct, the spacers might slip and cause the seat to move. Note that toilets can be either round or elongated. If you bought an elongated seat for a round toilet or vice versa, it will definitely move. In that case, you can only try buying a completely new seat.
Toilet Seat Won’t Stay Up: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make my seat SoftClose?
You can’t, but you can buy a SoftClose seat model. They feature a specific design that prevents unintentional slamming, which directly increases the lifespan of the seat.
How to Adjust a Toilet Seat?
To adjust the toilet seat, simply loosen the two screws and put the seat in the desired place. Then, tighten the screws, and the problem is solved.
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