Chloe Zhang
Plastic toilet seat bolts can be a pain to remove. They can become old, brittle, and rusty, and sometimes a simple hack saw won't do the trick. One way to remove them is to use a dremel tool or a single hacksaw blade to cut through half of the nut, and then split it off with a screwdriver or pliers. You can also use brute force and crack them with a wire cutter or linemans pliers. If you have access to a drill, you can drill straight into the bolt. If you're looking to loosen a Bemis seat featuring the TOP-TITE ® STAY-TITE® Seat Fastening System™, open the hinge caps and use a wrench to loosen the bolts.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Lineman's pliers, wire cutter, chisel, drill, dremel tool, hacksaw, screwdriver, socket wrench, basin wrench, power driver |
| Techniques | Brute force, cutting, melting, drilling, unscrewing |
| Obstacles | Rust, old/brittle plastic, tight spaces |
| Solutions | Use rust penetrant, putty knife to protect porcelain |
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What You'll Learn
Use a wrench to loosen bolts
To loosen plastic toilet seat bolts with a wrench, first locate the bolts. Plastic bolts are usually hidden under a small plastic housing at the top of the seat. Use your fingers or a screwdriver to pry up the plastic housing to uncover the bolt.
If your toilet seat has a wingnut, reach below the bowl and hold it in place with a wrench while you unscrew the bolt. Turn the bolt counterclockwise to unscrew it. If the bolt is too tight, spray it with a rust penetrant and wait five to ten minutes for the spray to work before trying again.
If your toilet seat does not have a wingnut, you can still use a wrench to hold the nut in place while you unscrew the bolt. A basin wrench is ideal for working in tight spaces, but tongue-and-groove pliers or a crescent wrench will also work. Once the bolts are fully detached, the toilet seat should come off easily.
If the bolts are corroded or will not budge, you may need to cut them off. To avoid damaging the porcelain, place a putty knife between the bolt and the toilet bowl before cutting.
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Employ a hacksaw or dremel tool to cut bolts
If your plastic toilet seat bolts are stuck, one method to remove them is to cut through them using a hacksaw or a dremel tool.
Using a Hacksaw
- Fully secure the bolt with clamp vice grip pliers on the head of the bolt.
- Hold the pliers with one hand and use the other hand to operate the saw.
- Ensure that the teeth of the saw are pointing away from you and use the saw at a downward angle.
- Use short strokes and be patient.
Using a Dremel Tool
- Put on safety goggles.
- Use a light touch and let the dremel do the cutting. Do not apply too much force as this may break the cutting wheel.
- Use a cutting wheel to cut a line down the middle of the bolt.
- Twist off the bolt with a screwdriver or remove the head and twist out with pliers.
It is important to note that using a hacksaw or dremel tool to cut through the bolts will require some physical effort and patience. These tools may not be able to fit into tight spaces, and there is a risk of breaking the cutting wheel if too much force is applied.
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Try lubricating bolts with a spray or soap solution
If your toilet seat bolts are stuck, try lubricating them with a spray or soap solution. This can help to loosen the bolts, especially if they are rusted or corroded. First, apply a few drops of a penetrating oil, such as WD-40, around the base of each bolt. If you don't have any penetrating oil, you can try using white vinegar or olive oil instead. Let the oil sit for a few minutes to allow it to penetrate the bolts.
Once the oil has had time to work, you can try to loosen the bolts using an adjustable wrench or pliers. Carefully grip the head of each bolt with the wrench or pliers and turn it counterclockwise. If the bolts are still difficult to turn, you may need to use a spray lubricant. Apply the spray lubricant to the bolts and wait about five minutes. Then, use locking pliers to grip one of the bolts and find the longest screwdriver that fits the slots in the bolt head. Put your effort into turning the bolt counterclockwise with the screwdriver to loosen it.
If the bolts are still not loosening, you may need to try a different strategy, such as using a socket wrench or drill. However, keep in mind that even these tools may not always work. With some patience and persistence, you should eventually be able to loosen those stubborn toilet seat bolts.
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Drill a hole through the nut
Drilling a hole through the nut is a potential solution to removing a stuck plastic toilet seat bolt. This method can be effective, but it is important to exercise caution to avoid damaging the toilet or injuring yourself.
To begin, select an appropriate drill bit size that will create a hole large enough to accommodate a screwdriver or other tool to remove the nut. Place the drill bit at the centre of the nut and apply gentle pressure while activating the drill. It is important to maintain control of the drill to avoid slipping and causing accidental damage.
During the drilling process, the friction between the drill bit and the nut may generate heat. This can cause the nut and bolt to smoke, which is why it is important to work in a well-ventilated area. Continue drilling until you have created a hole that is deep enough to access the bolt with a suitable tool.
Once the hole is drilled, you can use a screwdriver or similar tool to grip the bolt and attempt to unscrew it. If the bolt is still difficult to turn, you may need to apply a rust penetrant to loosen it further. Allow the penetrant to work for several minutes before attempting to turn the bolt again.
If the bolt still does not budge, you may need to apply more force. One option is to use a pair of pliers to gain additional leverage. Carefully grip the bolt with the pliers and turn it counterclockwise. With the added force, you should be able to loosen and remove the bolt.
Drilling through the nut is a destructive method, so it is important to be prepared to replace the bolt and nut after successfully removing the toilet seat.
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Use brute force with pliers or wire cutters
If you're dealing with old, brittle plastic bolts that just won't budge, applying some brute force with a pair of pliers or wire cutters can be an effective solution. Here's how you can tackle the task:
First, assess the type of bolts you're dealing with. If they are the old, brittle kind, then applying force with the right tools can crack them open, making it easier to remove them. It's important to note that this approach may not work for all types of bolts and should be reserved for stubborn, old bolts that are difficult to remove by other means.
Now, let's talk about the tools. Lineman's pliers or wire cutters are recommended for this task. These tools are designed to handle tough jobs and can provide the necessary leverage to crack open the bolts. Make sure you have a firm grip on the pliers or wire cutters before applying force.
When using pliers, grasp the bolt firmly with the pliers and apply force in a counter-clockwise direction to unscrew it. You may need to use both hands to get a good grip and exert enough force. If the bolt is particularly stubborn, you might need to use a larger set of pliers to gain more leverage.
Similarly, with wire cutters, you can use the cutting jaws to grip the bolt tightly. Again, apply force in a counter-clockwise direction to unscrew it. The sharp edges of the wire cutters can help bite into the plastic, providing additional grip and torque to loosen the bolt. As with pliers, you may need to use both hands to apply sufficient force.
It's important to exercise caution when using brute force with these tools, as excessive force can damage the toilet seat or the surrounding area. Always wear protective gear, such as gloves and eye protection, to safeguard yourself from any debris or sharp edges. Additionally, have a helper hold the bolt on top with a pair of pliers while you work on the bottom portion with another set of pliers or wire cutters. This coordinated effort can help distribute the force evenly and prevent any unintended damage.
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Frequently asked questions
First, use your fingers or a screwdriver to pry up the plastic housing at the top of the seat to uncover the bolt. Then, hold the nut with a wrench or pliers while unscrewing the bolt. If the bolts are corroded or rusted, you may need to cut them off with a hacksaw or dremel tool.
You can use a hacksaw, dremel tool, wire cutter, or a drill to cut through the bolts.
If you don't have access to a hacksaw or dremel tool, you can try using brute force to crack the bolts with a pair of pliers or wrench.
Place a putty knife between the hacksaw and the porcelain surface of your toilet to prevent any damage.
Make sure to use a screwdriver that is large enough to fit into the bolt groove. A small screwdriver will not be able to grab the bolt groove and will strip the bolt.
