Caroma Toilet Seat Hinges? Best 66 Answer

The simple answer to the question “Are toilet seats a standard size?” is no. Unfortunately, toilet seats are not produced in a standard size, but that doesn’t mean you can’t easily find a replacement for your own toilet.

Like many household items, your toilet will be subject to wear and tear over the course of its lifetime. It’s hardly surprising. After all, it’s something you use every day. And it’s your toilet seat that takes the brunt of that regular use.

If you share your home with someone of the opposite sex or with children, you probably won’t appreciate the number of times your toilet seat gets raised and lowered over the course of a year. However, if you assume it’s around 4 times a day, that’s over 1,400 times your hinges are used over the course of a year. So it’s no surprise that “toilet seats are a standard size?” is one of the most popular toilet search terms on the internet.

Many standard block toilets are fitted with a round pan (as pictured above).

Different toilets require different seats

Of course, there are modern toilets in different styles. Close-coupled designs, where the pan is closely connected to the cistern, are by far the most popular, but you can also gravitate back to wall-hung toilets, wall-hung toilets and the period-style stand-up toilet.

These types of toilets can then vary widely in shape (square, angular, round, D-shaped) and in size, with differences in toilet dimensions (both length and width) ranging anywhere from 350mm to 500mm.

D-shaped pans, like the one pictured above, are becoming increasingly popular in UK bathrooms

So it’s clear why there is no standard size toilet seat, which makes finding the right model for your toilet all the more difficult. However, help is at hand.

Find the right toilet seat sizes

How to find a suitable seat for your toilet:

1. Consider the shape of your toilet bowl

Is it round (curving outwards from the hinges and then inwards again to form a circular edge)? Is it D-shaped (just curved inwards from the hinges to form a continuous arc)? Is it square (both sides perpendicular)? Or is it different than this?

2. Measure your toilet

You need to take 4 measurements from your toilet:

Length – Measure from the holes in your toilet to the front edge of your toilet

Width – Measure the diameter from edge to edge

Height – Measure the distance between the holes to the cistern or wall

Between Holes – Measure the distance between the center of each mounting hole

Watch this hands-on video to see how:

This gives you a shape and a set of toilet dimensions to work with. Now all you have to do is start your search. But what should you look for in a toilet seat?

Toilet Seat Options

Soft closing

Many new toilets these days come standard with a soft-close seat, which uses a spring mechanism to ensure the seat, along with the seat cover, doesn’t fall off with an almighty rattle. It also helps minimize wear and tear on both the toilet bowl and the seat itself.

While a soft close seat is a great option, they must be handled with care to ensure the spring is not damaged. This means do not force the seat down. Easier said than done when you have kids, but a soft-close fit keeps little fingers from getting trapped.

material

When it comes to materials, toilet seats can be divided into two main categories: plastic or wood.

Plastic seats seem to be more popular due to their low price, the many shapes they can be molded into, and high durability. Thermoplastic seats are very light and durable, while thermoset seats offer high scratch resistance.

Wooden seats are more traditional and come in a range of finishes and colors that add real warmth and charm to a bathroom.

Bring natural charm into your bathroom with a solid oak toilet seat

hinges

To help you find the best fit for your toilet, look for adjustable hinges. Some seats also come with top mounting hinges and a convenient “lift-off” mechanism that makes both installation and cleaning a breeze.

toddler seat

If you have young children who are on their way to potty training, you might want to consider an integrated child’s toilet seat. This can be folded down from the main cover when needed, giving your little ones their very own independence.

If you’re still weighing your options, check out our toilet seat buying guide.

When it comes to toilet seats, your best bet is to make sure you buy your toilet from a reputable bathroom retailer who stocks a wide range of toilets and toilet seats. That way, you’re almost certainly getting a replacement that’s specific to your toilet model. It may be worthwhile for you to actually purchase a spare so that when it comes time to replace it you have one on hand.

Frequently asked questions about toilet seats

Do all toilet seats fit the same?

The simple answer is no, there are a number of different toilet seat fittings. Some are bottom mounts (fits below the mounting holes) and some are top mounts (usually required where there is no access to the bottom of the pan, e.g. a fully encased toilet). Each toilet seat comes with its own individual instructions.

In addition to the fittings, there is a choice of different hinges for toilet seats, from standard designs to soft-close, which lower the toilet seat slowly and minimize noise. To help with cleaning, you can simply lift some toilet seats right off their faucets. Most toilet seat hinges are made of nylon or stainless steel as this offers good durability. Lower quality steel or other metals may be prone to rust.

How do I know if my toilet seat is round or oblong?

While “round” and “oblong” are terms more commonly used to describe the shapes of American toilets, British toilets tend to fall into the following types of shapes:

Round

D shaped

square

You must use your own judgment to determine the shape of your toilet. The image below may help.

Are there different toilet sizes?

Yes, toilets come in different sizes, so it’s important to measure your existing toilet seat before purchasing.

For example, our direct coupled toilets are available in the following size ranges:

Depth—between 600mm and 720mm

Width—Between 350mm and 500mm

They are also available in standard height (between 400mm and 410mm) or comfort height (460mm) for people with reduced mobility.

How to assemble a toilet seat

Installing a new toilet seat is easy as our handy video shows.

Discover step-by-step instructions and pictures showing how to assemble a toilet seat.

Buy toilet seats

At VictoriaPlum.com you will find a wide range of toilet seats in different designs to suit all types of toilets. Just click on the image below to start browsing.

materials for toilet seats

Toilet seats are generally available in two materials, plastic or wood.

Plastic toilet seats

Plastic seats are more common. They are cheaper, more malleable and easy to clean. The primary types of plastic used are thermoplastic and thermoset, although resin is another option. Thermoset is slightly more expensive as it is more scratch resistant, but all three types are durable. Resin toilet seats can be made in any color, and objects or images can be embedded in the surface of the seat. This makes them great in a child’s bathroom. The main problem with plastic seats is that they can get cold in the winter – not something you have to endure first thing in the morning!

Wooden toilet seats

Wooden toilet seats are less wear-resistant, but offer you a warmer seat in winter! Natural wood toilet seats have a more traditional look and can be purchased in a range of finishes to suit your bathroom. The two most commonly used types of wood are MDF or engineered wood and solid wood.

MDF wooden seats are made of pressed wood fibers. This makes them hygienic, comfortable and easy to clean. Solid wood seats are often made from oak, pine or mahogany. While solid wood seats look fantastic, their durability can vary widely – so it’s worth doing your research before you buy.

Types of toilet seats

Soft close seats

Soft-close hinges are one of the best inventions of all, in our opinion, because there’s nothing more infuriating than the sound of a lid slamming in the morning. Soft-close seats are easy to use and can now be purchased very cheaply.

Ultra flat seats

Ultra-flat seats are modern and minimalist, fit in almost any bathroom and are often available with soft-close hinges. While not specifically designed for smaller bathrooms, they will certainly help your bathroom look larger – while bulkier seats won’t do you much in terms of space savings. Although ultra-flat seats do not take up much space, they are impressive in terms of design. When you combine them with other modern features like smart technology or heating pads, you can be proud on the toilet – and not many people can say that!

Bidet Seats/Smart Seats

Technology is everywhere and now it’s in our toilet seats too! Japanese-style toilet seats are gaining popularity in the western world thanks to their tremendous comfort. These smart toilet seats have everything you could ever ask for in a toilet seat. Some are available with a wide range of features, including adjustable heated seats, LED lighting (both day and night), deodorization function, air dryer temperature levels, automatic cleaning, energy saving mode, and adjustable water and temperature levels.

Toilet seat sizes in the UK

There is no single universal toilet seat size in the UK. There are many different toilet seat sizes available, but the most common sizes tend to be between 350mm and 500mm. Toilet seats vary in size and shape, so it’s important to know what size you need before investing in a new one.

What size toilet seat do I need?

To figure out what size toilet seat you need, you need to measure your pan in three places. First remove your current toilet seat.

Measure from post hole to post hole on the back of the seating area. Calculate the width of the bowl where it is widest. Measure from the front of the toilet seat to the post holes.

These measurements tell you what size you need. Toilet seats indicate the width and depth in millimeters.

Types of toilet seat fittings

There are two types of toilet seat attachments: bottom attachments and top attachments. Top mount toilet seats work by inserting two screws into the pan, which are then tightened from the top. Lower toilet seat fasteners are fitted from above and then tightened from below, often with wing nuts.

The majority of modern toilets now have a top mount seat assembly as they are easier to install and remove for cleaning. The toilet seat attachments you need for your toilet will largely depend on the type of toilet seat you want to fit or the attachments you are replacing on your current seat.

How much are toilet seats?

As with most household products, the price of toilet seats can vary significantly. Inexpensive and cheerful seats are available for those of you on a budget, while quirky, high-tech, high-end and consequently high-priced seats are also proving popular. It’s important to realize that your toilet seat will get a lot of use. Opening and closing the lid multiple times a day puts stress on the hinges, so it’s best to invest in something quality.

When it comes to bathroom styling, the small parts make a big difference—and toilet seats certainly can make a difference. Whether you’re inspired by the high tech and comfort of Japanese designs, or opting for a simple wooden seat to create that traditional feel, you’ll be spoiled for choice with Drench’s selection of styles.

Have you recently gone to the toilet and felt like you were sitting on a loose toilet seat? You probably thought it was an easy fix to do yourself as all you have to do is tighten the screws. But when you accessed them under the toilet where you thought they were supposed to be, you couldn’t find these studs at all! You are probably wondering how to tighten the toilet seat without an access bottom?

If you need guidance, read on for our guide.

Can you learn how to tighten the toilet seat without access to the underside?

You absolutely can! You may feel better knowing that tightening the toilet seat without an access base is not difficult, although the screws may not be in an intuitive place. Often many toilet seats have small holes for access from the bottom that have just been hidden from your view.

There are other types of toilet seats that may have slightly different holes and fittings, but with a little guidance you can certainly figure those out too!

Before we get to our step by step guide on how to put on the no access bottom toilet set, let’s consider what types of tools are required for this project.

Read on for valuable information!

Is there a tool to tighten toilet seats?

Luckily, you don’t need any special tools to tighten toilet seats. In fact, you may already have them around the house or in the garage.

To create your own toilet seat fastener kit, get an adjustable wrench or socket, a flat head screwdriver and pliers as that should be all you need to tighten these toilet seat hardware.

And while it’s not necessary, you can consider wearing protective gear like gloves and goggles so your hands and eyes don’t encounter any fragments of anything coming off your toilet in the process.

How do you attach a toilet seat with concealed hardware?

Step 1: Check the toilet again

Since most regular toilets have holes somewhere for access from below, the first thing you should do again is to look for them around your toilet. A common place to look is on the seat hinges, where there may be hidden buttons you can press to dislodge the lid and reveal the mounting studs and screws.

In some cases, there are toilet seats with special covers that you may have to slide to the side or simply pry up to access the fittings below. These covers protect the mounting bolts from anything that could damage the locks. In this situation, carefully look for a round-cut piece to locate the covers.

The instructions above work well for most floor-installed toilets, but if yours is in-wall installed, you may need to remove the toilet from its mounting base. The holes for tightening your wobbly toilet seat should be on the screws that attach the toilet to the wall.

Step 2: Readjust the seat

Now that you’ve found the bottom access to the toilet seat screws, you can adjust the seat before tightening everything back up. If you find that your seat is not aligned properly, you probably want to true it. You can use clamps to hold it in place.

Step 3: Tighten the screws

Once you have the toilet seat centered, you can start tightening the screws. A flathead screwdriver would be best here, but if you find that a different screwdriver head works better, go for it as you don’t want to damage the screws and shorten their lifespan. Tighten the screw until it can no longer be screwed in.

In the lower entrance of some toilets, e.g. B. Soft close toilets, a special wing nut can be adjusted to get a more secure fit for your toilet seat. In these situations, you can use pliers to hold the nut while you use the screwdriver to tighten the screws. The wing on the nut prevents the bolt from turning back on itself by locking it in place. Re-tighten the screw until the fit feels secure.

Step 4: Check the tension

By now your toilet seat should be secure again. But before you pack your tools, check the tension by banging on the screws to see if anything moves. If this is the case, retighten the screws as much as possible. When everything seems secure, close the lid, making sure nothing is preventing it from closing properly. Then you are done!

How do I stop my toilet seat from moving sideways?

As an additional accessory you only need two adhesive disks. First, locate the screws that attach the toilet seat to the bowl. Then use your flathead screwdriver to hold the screw in place while you remove the nut underneath.

If it’s just a plastic nut, you can probably remove it by hand, but if it’s particularly tight or metal, use your pliers to twist it. Now remove the lid, clean the ceramic thoroughly and put the seat back in place. Put the screws back in the holes and then take your washers.

Peel off the pad, then slide each screw down until it reaches the bowl. Finally, simply tighten the nut as tight as you can, which will secure the bolt and prevent the seat from slipping.

How do you fix a toilet seat that keeps falling off?

The most common reason a toilet seat keeps falling off is that the seat was placed too far back on the tank. All you have to do is unscrew the seat, pull it forward as far as you can, then tighten securely.

How to replace a toilet seat

Installing or replacing a toilet seat is a fairly simple task. Whether you are replacing your toilet seat because it is old or damaged, or you want a new style; All you need are some basic tools.

Installing a toilet seat is often one of the easier and quicker DIY jobs to do in your bathroom and can be completed in minutes.

Read on for our full guide explaining the steps of the process…

Why should I replace my toilet seat?

Toilet seats can be replaced for a number of reasons. These may include the seat being broken or cracked, the fasteners may have disappeared causing it to wobble and move when you sit on it, or you want a new style.

Read more: Update your bathroom on a budget

If you’ve had a new bathroom installed the seat will likely be made for you, but if not this is another reason to install a seat in your loo.

Do all toilet seats fit the same?

No, not all toilet seats fit the same as toilets come in different shapes so you need to check yours before buying.

Read more: What types of toilets are there? Buying advice for toilets

There are three types of toilet shapes commonly found in UK homes. These are round, D-shaped and square seats. Another popular feature is a soft-close seat. So if you prefer this, you need to measure correctly to ensure this type of seat fits your toilet.

Replacement toilet seats can usually be fitted to older or non-standard toilets. However, the seat must be supported at the contact points or hinges.

Most toilet seats are oval in shape, although some have a more contemporary square or D-shape. So it’s important to keep this in mind when looking for a replacement in a store or from the original manufacturer.

Before you buy a seat, there is something important to do…

How to measure a toilet seat

This is arguably the most important part of replacing your toilet seat – you don’t want to buy one that doesn’t fit.

Are toilet seats a standard size?

No, due to different toilet styles, there is no standard size for all toilet seats. To find the best seat for your toilet, you need to measure your toilet. Read how to do this below.

There are important measurements you need, although most seats are adjustable to accommodate most common toilet bowl shapes. The measurements are:

The distance between the mounting holes – where the screws are located. This is often a standard 155mm measurement, but it’s worth checking

The width of the toilet bowl at its widest point

The length from the front of the shell back to the two seat mounting holes

With these measurements you can be sure that you are buying the right size toilet seat.

Do I need to take any safety precautions before changing my toilet seat?

Toilets are an obvious place for harmful germs to grow and can be a source of potential infection, so you should take precautions before you begin.

Always wear rubber cleaning gloves when changing a toilet seat. Ideally, clean it before removing it. After removing the seat, thoroughly clean your entire toilet. Use an antibacterial spray that you can buy at most stores.

Use an antibacterial hand wash after replacing your toilet seat to ensure you’ve removed any harmful bacteria.

What tools do I need to change a toilet seat?

You’ll need pliers or an adjustable wrench to remove the nuts that attach the seat to the toilet—these are often wing nuts.

You may also need a flathead screwdriver to remove any plastic caps covering the nuts. Most of these tools can be found in a garden shed or bought for little money at most stores.

Depending on the seat you buy, it may come with a kit to attach it. If you’re just replacing the hardware like the nuts and not the whole seat, you’ll probably have to buy the parts yourself.

Some newer toilets may not have traditional screw-on seats, but instead have a push-in seat. So it’s best to check before you buy a replacement.

How to remove an old toilet seat

Most toilet seats attach to the toilet with hardware. These are held together by two bolts, usually hidden behind plastic caps on the back of the seat.

You may have to crouch or stand on the ground to access it properly.

If there are plastic caps over the nuts, use your flat head screwdriver to remove them. This can be more difficult with older seats if they have been there for a long time. Working your way around the cap, without being too rough to damage the toilet itself, carefully remove the caps.

Once you remove the caps you will see the top of the screws with wing nuts holding your seat in place. These nuts are often made of plastic, but can also be made of metal – depending on the age of the seat. Use your pliers to loosen the nuts, then remove them by hand.

The seat should then lift off, but depending on the brand you may need to unscrew it with your screwdriver. If it’s stiff or too rusted to lift off on its own, spray some WD-40 to lubricate it and wait up to 10 minutes before lifting the seat off.

If they’re still stuck, you may need to carefully saw them off with a small hacksaw.

Some toilet seats vary in how they are held in place, but most work in a similar way. If your seat is different, take a look at the hardware and you should be able to figure out how to remove it.

It can be difficult and not the most pleasant work, but it shouldn’t take long. Just remember the process for next time.

As mentioned above, after removing your old toilet seat, give the entire toilet a thorough cleaning with antibacterial spray.

How to install a new toilet seat

Once you’ve removed your old seat, it’s time to install the new one. With the new seat you will receive hardware, including manufacturer’s instructions for installation.

Essentially, installing a new toilet seat is the reverse of the removal process.

First, line up and attach the new fittings – by inserting the screws through the toilet’s mounting holes. Make sure your seat sits evenly on the perimeter of your toilet bowl and center it. Use your hands or pliers to secure the wing nuts once you are happy with the position of the seat.

Be careful not to over tighten them as you may want to adjust them once the new toilet seat is in place. Additionally, plastic bolts – if they are – don’t need to punish much before either yielding or breaking.

You can also have rubber washers that you can place between the nut and the toilet to act as a cushion.

You will do this on both sides of the seat as there are two bolts so two wing nuts that need to be tightened altogether.

If plastic caps were included with the new toilet seat, snap them into place by pressing down on the screws onto the wing nuts.

By following these steps you should be able to replace your toilet seat quickly and easily.

toilet seat designs

No matter the size or style of your bathroom, you’re guaranteed to find the right toilet seat for your home. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes and a range of colours, from classic white to bright pink to a seat with a beautiful animal design, there is a toilet seat for every taste.

Olli Lyon

Ollie is a self-trained handyman who has a particular love for kitchen and bathroom renovations. In his free time, Ollie enjoys biking and hiking.

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Toilet seats are the most commonly used pieces of furniture in your home. They might not notice, but they certainly do. As a result, after years or even decades of use, most toilet seats tend to become a little wobbly. But thanks to a few tools and DIY tricks, almost everyone can get back on their feet.

What Causes a Wobbly Toilet Seat?

Usually, toilet seats are fixed with fastening bolts. But after some wear and tear, these screws tend to either break or just work loose. The result is a wobbly, moving toilet seat.

Another common cause of a toilet seat moving is damage to the hinges. Depending on the type of material used (metal being the most common), hinges can rust. Household cleaners can also speed up the process, as most contain bleach, which is a no-no for metal.

Last but not least, slamming the toilet seat can damage it fairly easily. Not only can it damage the plastic cover, but it can also tear off the bumpers under the seat. Although sometimes nature is the culprit, it’s better not to leave a toilet seat to gravity.

Time for a closer look

Before you begin any type of repair, it’s important to know what you’re dealing with. First, inspect the seat for obvious damage. Look for broken plastic or lift the seat and check the bumper pads are all good.

Next, you should check what type of toilet seat you have. Most seats use metal screws that must first be removed before you can look at them. You can also have plastic screws that have a nut that keeps the screw from moving.

Lastly, you should look under the toilet bowl to check the screws. Move them around a bit, see if they seem loose. Watch out for broken or crushed washers as these can also be to blame. And don’t forget to check the hinges for rust or cracks.

Fix a wobbly toilet seat

Depending on the type of damage you’ve taken, there are a few ways to fix a wobbly toilet seat. First, however, you should have at least a screwdriver and some WD40 on hand to help remove any broken or loose screws. You can also bring a wrench as you may need to tighten some bolts.

If you don’t have the right tools, you can always get a screwdriver set. The CREMAX Professional Magnetic Screwdriver Set, for example, is one of the best choices for any household need. With a whole range of tips, the CREMAX set offers all kinds of screwdrivers you need for toilet seat repair.

1. Tightening the screws

If you’re lucky, attaching your toilet seat is as easy as tightening a few screws. Simply remove the cover protecting the screws and tighten. However, you may have to remove the toilet cover yourself to access it. Sometimes you may also need to grab the nuts that hold the bolts in place to tighten them more securely.

Bolt Clamping Sets

Even though using a screwdriver is the first choice, locking assemblies are becoming increasingly popular. For example, the easy-to-use Ginsley All-in-One Kit contains everything you could need at an affordable price. It even comes with a pair of new screws in case the old ones break beyond repair. If you want hassle-free tightening, you can always opt for the Ginsley All-in-One Kit.

2. Screw repair

Sometimes the screws just turn pointlessly, no matter how tight or how much pressure you apply while screwing. This can be a sign of a worn screw. The solution is to buy a different set of screws, but if that’s not possible there’s always a DIY trick you can try. All you need is some tape, preferably plumbing tape.

Just wrap the tape around the screw, but don’t go all the way. You don’t need to wrap the bolt all the way down, just the part that will hook into the nuts. You can follow this tutorial as it goes into detail on how to repair a broken screw.

Toilet seat screw recommendations

Although a broken bolt can be fixed, there are times when it’s too broken to fix. When choosing replacement screws, the FOCCTS 4-pack toilet screws are your best option. Durable and strong, FOCCTS screws fit most toilet seats thanks to their expanding rubber cover.

3. Change hinge

While fiddling with the screws can usually fix most issues, sometimes the hinges are to blame. If the hinges are cracked or broken, there is no other option but to replace them. Remove the old ones by unscrewing the screws from both the toilet seat and the toilet itself. Most toilet seat models allow for a hinge change, but other models may need a complete replacement.

Recommendation for toilet seat hinges

The type of hinge you need depends on the material used in the toilet seat. If you use an ordinary plastic seat, Qualihome offers some of the most durable hinges available on the market. Easy to assemble and easy to clean, choosing Qualihome hinges means choosing quality.

4. Toilet Seat Bumpers

The next common problem that toilet seats can face is broken or damaged bumpers. If you’ve checked the toilet seat before, you may have already noticed if everything is ok below. If not, now is a good time to see if a bumper looks like it’s going to fall or has already fallen.

Fixing bumpers is easy as you just unscrew and replace the old ones. You can also opt for T-shaped bumpers that add more stability to your toilet seat. Another option is to use toilet seat stoppers, which are similar to bumpers but much easier to install.

Toilet seat stoppers

If you want to take the easier route and stop fiddling with screws, you can choose the SteadySeat Stoppers. Thanks to the durable adhesive pads, this product requires no tools or screws. You also don’t need to replace the old bumpers as the SteadySeat Stoppers can be placed in between.

5. Replacement of the toilet seat

Seats that are broken, cracked or just too old are far better replaced than repaired. Before deciding on a replacement, you need to think about what type of seat you prefer – wood or plastic. Luckily, you don’t have to make this choice alone as you can follow our plastic vs wood guide.

Toilet seat recommendation

No matter what type of seat you prefer, the Kohler K-4636-0 toilet seat is one of the best choices. Grip-resistant bumpers are specially designed to eliminate future wobble. Utilize the quick-attach feature for easy installation, fitting almost any toilet type. As far as reviews go, it’s clear that the K in K-4636-0 stands for king of the bathroom.

Let’s have a seat

Overall, dealing with a wobbly toilet seat isn’t as hard as it might seem. While most people have never changed or repaired a toilet seat, it’s never too late to learn. Thanks to a plethora of online tutorials and tips, anyone can become their own fixer.

However, without proper care, the problems will return sooner or later. Cleaning and not slamming a toilet seat goes a long way in reducing the likelihood of future wobbles. Treat your toilet seat like a throne and you will feel like a true king every time you use it.