DIY: How to Fix a Wobbly Toilet for Super Cheap!
Everyone goes to the bathroom, but no one really talks about annoying toilet seats! Have you ever had a seat that tried to shift from side to side or was just wobbly? Well, we did and it drove me crazy!
Even though your first thought may be to replace the whole toilet seat, most wobbly toilet seats can be fixed in little time and with little cost. The most common culprit to a wobbly seat is actually the screws that hold the seat on to the toilet!
What is the lifespan of a toilet seat?
Surprisingly the lifespan of a toilet is different than a toilet seat! In general most toilets will last about 15 years, but a toilet seat usually only lasts 5 to 7 years. This means that on average you will need to do some basic repairs to your toilet seat a couple times or replace it before you need a whole new toilet.
A typical toilet seat replacement can be purchased at any home improvement store or big box store like Walmart. These are the same places you can also purchase replacement parts for your toilet seat.
How to Fix a Wobbly Toilet Seat for Cheap!
Since my husband has been home more recently, I have decided to start crossing off projects on our “Honey-Please-Do” list. I am more than capable of fixing small things on my own, but on some repairs, I am just clueless on how to actually repair them.
We recently had a very wobbly toilet seat in one of our bathrooms that tried to sway from side to side when you sat on it. I immediately thought that the best solution for this was to buy a whole new toilet seat. So, while I am pricing out new toilet seats on the internet for this repair and telling my husband that it looks like it will cost about $20 for the repair, he is in disbelief!
“What? $20 for 2 plastic screws?”…….”Um, no that is what it costs for a whole new seat and I’m assuming the screws are included!” (real conversation we had)
This is when my wonderful husband informs me that we don’t have a $20 problem, we have a $2 problem. We don’t need to replace the whole toilet seat, we just need to replace the screws that hold the toilet seat down.
What Causes a Wobbly Toilet Seat?
It turns out that the cause of a wobbly and swaying side to side toilet seat is the screws! The screws are typically made of plastic and overtime they can warp or wear down and it causes the seat to loosen and shift.
A replacement pack of 2 plastic toilet seat bolts was only $1.97 at Walmart. The only tools needed was a slotted screwdriver (flat edge). I was very surprised that what I thought was a cheap $20 fix was actually way cheaper.
Steps to Fix a Wobbly Toilet Seat
This is so simple, and I am kind of kicking myself for not figuring this out by myself.
- Open the plastic screw covers on the back of the toilet seat where it attaches to the toilet.
- Use screw driver to remove old screws.
- Line up the seat to the holes, and insert the new screws.
- Tighten the screws to secure the seat to the toilet.
Overall, this was one of our simplest repairs, but keep in mind you do not want to overtighten the screws. This can cause the screws to warp or strip and the same wobbly seat will be back.
Low-Cost Toilet Seat Repair
On one hand, I am super happy that what I thought was a $20 fix turned out to only be a $2 fix, but I really wished I had figured it out myself. Nothing gives my husband more giggles than when I try to overcomplicate the problem.
Next time you are trying to fix a problem, look for the most direct and simple solution because that is usually the cheapest answer!
Now unfortunately we could not buy just one toilet seat screw, we had to buy them as a set. So, the extra toilet screw will be going in my junk drawer! The next time we have this issue, I will be ready to fix it by myself and I will already have the part that I need.
Yes, I felt like a dummy at first, but I did learn something new! The trick to home repairs is that you don’t know what you don’t know. Another great tip if you have an issue like this and don’t have a husband that knows the answer, just go to your local home improvement store. In most cases, if you describe the problem and show pictures if needed, they can give you the answer!
Now to make sure you save the most money, I would compare prices before purchasing any items that are recommended. Just because that store sells the item for $10, you may be able to find it somewhere else for cheaper.
For example, the same exact plastic toilet seat bolts would have been $3.28 at our local Lowe’s store. I know it only a difference of $1.31 but by consistently price checking, I do save a lot of money on parts for our home improvement projects!
Want to check out more tips and tricks? Check out “What is the difference between thrifty and frugal?” and the answer may make you think differently!
