Did this ever happen to you? You go to the bathroom and as soon as you’re done and stand up, the toilet seat falls down. It’s quite a nuisance when the toilet seat won’t stay up to allow you to finish your toilet business.
Luckily, this problem is not unique and there are several ways you can fix it.
In this article, we shall provide a few tips to help you adjust the toilet seat and ensure it stays up. But first, let’s see why the toilet seat keeps falling down so that you can identify the cause on your end and fix it accordingly.
Reasons why your toilet seat won’t stay up
There are a few reasons why your toilet seat might not stay up. The most common reason is that the hinges are loose. Another possibility is that the seat is not level or if the toilet is old or has been used a lot; the plastic may be warped or worn out, causing it to sag.
1. Seat pushed too far back on the bowl
One of the most common causes of the toilet seat failing to stay up is when it is pushed too far back on the bowl.
This causes the front of the toilet seat to be raised, which in turn makes it unable to stay up while someone sits down or stands up from sitting down on it.
2. The toilet seat is not level
The level of the toilet seat is really important in ensuring it stays in place. If the seat is not level, it will rock back and forth and eventually fall down.
This means that you have to use your hand to keep the seat propped open, which is pretty disgusting.No one wants to keep touching the toilet seat every time they use the bathroom.
The best solution to this is by reinstalling the seat the right way.
3. Loose or broken toilet hinges
If your toilet seat won’t stay up, it’s likely due to some loose or broken hinges.
This can be fixed easily by tightening the nuts on either side of the hinge with a wrench and then checking that they’re tight enough before you put the seat back down.
This should help make sure that everything stays in place so you can enjoy using your bathroom without having to worry about things falling off.
See also: Best toilet seats that don’t move
4. Warped or worn-out toilet seat
Your plastic toilet seat may not be staying up because it is warped or worn out.
The plastic toilet seats tend to warp over time, especially in warm environments. This can cause the toilet seat to become unleveled, which will make it difficult for the seat to stay up.
Worn-out toilet seats are more common in homes that have children.
Young children often stand on the toilet seat to reach things on the wall or over the top of the tank, and this can cause the bolts that hold the seat in place to loosen over time.
If your toilet seat is loose, it will be more likely to fall down when you sit on it. It is not much you can do about a warped and worn-out toilet seat except to replace it with a new one.
See also: Best stain resistant toilet seatsÂ
5. Something blocking the seat from staying up
Make sure there is nothing on around the base of the toilet seat and hinges that could be keeping it from staying up
How to fix a toilet seat that keeps falling down
1. Reinstall the toilet seat
You will need to reinstall the seat if it was placed too far back or at the wrong angle during the initial installation.
Simply remove the seat and install it again taking into account the angle at which it leans against the water tank. It should be at least more than 90 degrees.
You will achieve this by ensuring the seat is not placed too far back on the toilet bowl.
2. Fix the hinges
If loose or broken hinges are the cause of your toilet seat not staying up, follow the steps below to solve this frustrating issue.
The first thing you’ll want to do is to make sure the hinges are tight and there aren’t any screws or bolts missing from either side of it.
Next step? Try tightening them by turning on each hinge in opposite directions using a screwdriver until they’re as tight as possible without breaking anything.
See also: How to remove toilet seat with hidden fixings and hingesÂ
3. Replace old-style hardware with newer parts
You may also need to replace your old-style hardware with newer parts, which will make them less likely to break down and stop working properly.
Newer parts are likely to be more durable and function better than older parts.
Additionally, new hardware can give your toilet seat a fresh look.
4. Clean around the base of the toilet seat
Give the base of the toilet seat a good cleaning by wiping away any corrosion buildup, mildew, mold growth, and dust bunnies to ensure that it has a clean surface for contact.
Cleaning around the base of the toilet seat can be tricky, but there are a few easy tips to follow.
First, use a putty knife or other thin tool to scrape any debris or grime from the area.
Next, use a clean cloth or sponge to wipe down the area, using either water or a mild cleaning solution.
Be sure to dry the area thoroughly afterward so that no moisture is left behind where mold could grow.
See also: How to fix common macerating toilet problemsÂ
5. Toilet seat holder
Another solution is to get a toilet seat holder. This is a device that helps to keep the toilet seat in place.
It is usually made of plastic or metal and has suction cups that attach to the bottom of the toilet seat.
This can be helpful for preventing the seat from moving around, as well as keeping it clean and sanitary.
Other ways to hold a wobbly toilet seat
If none of the above ways work for you, here are some temporary alternatives you can try before seeking professional help.
1. Place a rubber band or hair tie over one end of the hinge so that it catches and holds in place when you close the lid.
2. If your toilet seat still won’t stay up, try adding some weight at either side (such as an old phone book) until you find something heavy enough to do the trick.
See also: Pros and cons of elongated toilets
Conclusion
If you’ve noticed that your toilet seat won’t stay up, there are a few things to check before buying a new one or calling in an expensive plumber.
We have provided a few tips that will help solve most of these pesky problems with ease. For instance, make sure it’s not just loose bolts or screws–tighten them and see if that does the trick.
Also, try tightening the hinges on either side of your toilet lid or replace the old hardware with newer parts.
Sometimes all you need to do is give the seat a good cleaning to get rid of any corrosion buildup, mildew, mold growth that might be making it hard for the seat to stay in place.
