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 common causes of this problem, all of which we’ll discuss how to fix in this article.
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1. Seat 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. Basically, the angle between the seat and the bowl needs to be beyond 90 degrees or it will fall down. Thankfully, you can easily fix this problem if you realize your seat wasn’t installed properly.
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 the screws later, or the material might break. If you have trouble with loosening the screws, you can use a screwdriver or wrench instead of just your hands. Note also that some units have screws under plastic covers, which will automatically snap in and out of place if you need to remove them.
Once you loosen the screws, push the seat to the front as far as possible, making sure it’ll make a 90 degree angle with 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 try below.
2. Toilet Not Level
If you see that your toilet is not level, you can use toilet wedges to fix the problem. Simply slide them below the front of the toilet. The wedges will give you some extra angle and will help even out your toilet.
When inserting, make sure not to push the wedges too hard or fast to prevent any damage to the wax ring. Otherwise, if you do damage the wax ring, it could lead to leaking or other issues. Once you install the wedges, use the level and check again to make sure everything has evened out, and your issue should be resolved.
3. Toilet Lid 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 removing the cover fixes the issue, you should consider using the toilet without the cover or looking for a thinner cover. If the issue is not resolved, or if you don’t have a cover, you might need to get a thinner seat or lid completely. However, before investing any money, try to push the lid back as much as you can. A too thick seat will cause it to not rest at a 90 degree angle or greater, which is why it falls down. If your seat doesn’t go back to 90 degrees, you may need to invest in a thinner one.
4. Wobbly Seat
Sitting on a toilet seat that constantly moves can be annoying. If your toilet seat itself is wobbly, there are a couple different issues to look into, described below.
Loose Screws
First, remove the screws with a screwdriver. If the screws spin, you can also use a wrench and pliers to hold them in place. When you remove the seat, check if the screw locations have any residue and if they do, clean them. If there was some residue, install the seat again and check if the problem persists once you’ve removed the residue.
If the seat is still wobbly, you should buy some rubber toilet seat washers and place them between the screws and the toilet. With these rubbers installed, the screws themselves will be more secure, and the problem should be solved.
Seat is Wrong Size
Note that every toilet seat has spacers on the bottom side that keep the seat from resting directly on the toilet bowl. However, if your toilet seat isn’t the right size, the spacers might slip and cause the seat to move. In particular, it’s important to know that toilets can be either round or elongated. If you bought an elongated seat for a round toilet or vice versa, the spacers won’t line up properly and the seat will definitely move. To fix this issue, you’ll want to buy a completely new seat that fits your toilet seat better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make my seat SoftClose?
While you can’t update your current seat to have SoftClose, you can buy a new SoftClose seat model. These seats feature a specific design that prevents unintentional slamming, which directly increases the lifespan of the seat. You’ll be able to replace your current seat with a SoftClose model to benefit from the easy closing technology.
How do I Adjust a Toilet Seat?
To adjust the toilet seat, simply loosen the two screws and adjust the seat to the desired place. Then, tighten the screws to secure the seat in the preferred location. This process is very straightforward and shouldn’t require a plumber or any specific DIY experience.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are several common reasons why people experience loose toilet seats in their homes. By checking out each of these potential issues, we hope you’ll be able to resolve any loose seat issues in your own home.
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