Fix a loose toilet seat

Tighten or replace worn toilet seat fixings so the seat sits stable and stops rocking, in under an hour.

TS-01Work out what type of fixing your seat hasLook underneath the seat where it meets the pan. Top-fix seats have small plastic caps on top of the hinges that lift or twist off to reveal a screw — you never need to reach underneath. Bottom-fix seats have a bolt through the top and a wing nut underneath that you hold still while you turn the bolt. Knowing which type you have decides how you tighten it.

TS-02Get your tools together and protect the floorLay an old towel on the floor in case you drop a screw or nut down the back of the pan. You'll need a flathead or Phillips screwdriver, and an adjustable spanner if your seat is bottom-fix. Have a cloth handy to wipe away any old limescale or grime around the hinges.

1 each · Old towel

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1 each · Screwdriver (flathead and Phillips)

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1 each · Adjustable spanner

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TS-03Tighten the existing fixingsFor a top-fix seat, lift the hinge caps and turn each screw clockwise with your screwdriver until the seat feels firm — stop as soon as it stops rocking. For a bottom-fix seat, hold the nut underneath steady with the spanner and turn the bolt on top clockwise with the screwdriver. Do both hinges evenly so the seat sits level, and don't force it hard — toilet pans are porcelain and crack if you overtighten.

TS-04Check for worn, stripped or cracked fixingsIf a screw or bolt spins without gripping, the plastic thread inside the hinge has likely worn out and tightening alone won't fix it. Check the hinge and cap for hairline cracks too, especially on older seats. If either is worn or cracked, you'll need a replacement fixing kit or a new seat rather than just a tighten.

TS-05Fit a replacement fixing kit if tightening didn't workUniversal toilet seat fixing kits are cheap and fit most pans — they come with new nylon bolts, nuts and washers. Remove the old hinge fixings completely, feed the new bolts through the same holes, and tighten by hand first, then a quarter turn with a screwdriver or spanner to snug up. Nylon fixings strip easily, so stop as soon as the seat feels stable rather than cranking them tight.

1 each · Universal toilet seat fixing kit

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TS-06Test the seat and tidy upSit down gently and shift your weight side to side to check the seat no longer rocks or slides. Wipe down the hinges and pan with your cloth to clear away any dust or old limescale. Bin the old fixings and wash your hands before putting tools away.

1 each · Cleaning cloth

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