Toilet Seat Hinges

A loose toilet seat or broken hinge doesn't always call for a whole new seat. Here's how to find the part that fits and does the job.

 

Will replacement toilet seat hinges fit my seat?

It depends on the seat. Some toilet seat hinges are made for a particular model, while others fit a wider range. The size of the hinges and the position of the screw holes matter; for seats that clip onto hinge pins, the pin size matters too. If your seat has a hinge bar, its length also needs to match.

 

Do I need top fixing or bottom fixing hinges?

That depends on how you can reach the toilet seat fixings. Top fixing hinges are tightened from above the toilet, making them suitable where you can't reach underneath. Bottom fixing hinges are tightened from below. Your current fittings will show which method your toilet uses, while the hinge details will show whether the replacement fits your seat.

 

Will new hinges make my seat soft close again?

They can if the soft close mechanism is part of the hinges and the replacements suit your seat. The hinges need to work with the seat's design and weight, particularly if it's solid wood. A general fixing kit can hold a seat in place, but it won't necessarily bring back its soft close action.

 

Does a loose toilet seat need new hinges?

Not always. The existing toilet seat fittings may simply need tightening. If the seat keeps moving or a fitting is damaged, replacement parts may be needed. Our article on how to tighten a toilet seat shows how to find the fixings and work out what's causing the movement.

 

Can I replace just the hinge covers?

Yes, if the toilet seat hinges still work and you only need to replace a missing cover or change the visible finish. However, they won't fix a loose or broken hinge. Hinge covers come in different diameters and may be made for particular toilet seat ranges, so the new covers need to fit over your existing hinges.