How to Remove Toilet Seat with Hidden Bolts, Fixings, Metal Hinges & No Screws

Whether you’re cleaning the toilet and seat thoroughly or repairing it, removing the toilet seat is usually the first step. Others may be as simple as unscrewing a bolt, while others may require hidden fastenings that make them more difficult to remove. Others don’t even have screws in the first place.

To remove the toilet seat, start by looking for the connection where the toilet and seat meet. Check below if you can’t see any bolts or screws on top of the seat. The ends of a screw or a mounting nut should be visible. Unscrew the toilet seat with a wrench, screwdriver, or locking pliers.

The bolts on most toilets are made of metal or plastic, with or without bolt caps. Regardless, the procedure is similar. Take a look at our step-by-step instructions for removing a toilet seat.

How to Remove the Seat for a Typical Toilet

Because the seats are linked differently, we’ll start with the basic instructions and go into more depth regarding concealed fasteners and metal bolts.

Supplies and Tools Needed

• A screwdriver is required.
• Locking pliers
• An adjustable wrench
• Vice grips
• Plastic bag
• Piece of cloth/ paper towel

Method

1. Remove the seat fastener bolt caps. They should be located at the rear of the seat, where the hinges are. Use a screwdriver to pry up the bolts cap protectors as you lift them with your hands.
2. Underneath the seat, you should see a mounting nut that secures the screw and seat together. Grasp the nut with a wrench and turn it completely free. If the nut is a wing type, grip it manually; if it’s not, use pliers or vice grips to support it. Don’t apply too much force when using materials such
3. Remove the four bolts and remove the nut with a screwdriver. Unwind the screw with a large driver for better results and efficiency.
4. Remove the nuts and screws. After you’ve replaced them, store them in a plastic container to prevent rust.
5. Remove the toilet seat and clean it with a cloth or paper towel.

Removing Seat with Hidden Fixings

Materials and Tools Needed

• Protective hand gloves
• Penetrating oil
• Drill with bits
• Hacksaw
• Masking or duct tape
• Putty knife
• Socket wrench
• Pliers
• Flathead Screwdriver

Method

Modern toilets have concealed fixings due to people’s dislike of seeing bolts on their toilets, as well as the fact that they prevent harm.

1. Take a look at the toilet’s underside and see if you can find screws. They might be metal or plastic, depending on the manufacturer.
2. Relax and remove your gloves. Touch the back of the chair with your hand as you look for the ends of the screws. They should be obvious.
3. Remove any caps or other obstructions from the toilet’s upper section in order to expose the bolts.
4. If you find socket wrenches, turn them counterclockwise to get access to the bolt securing the seat. Continue applying slight pressure until the nut loosens.
5. If the nut won’t budge, you’ll need to employ penetrating oil or WD40 on both bolts. Penetrating oil is designed for rusted bolts and nuts.
6. Wait for about five to ten minutes for the oil to seep fully into the hardware’s tight spots after applying this oil. The bolts will then be simple to remove. Alternatively, use vegetable oil and acetone to make a solution; the acetone will loosen the grip as the oil loosens the rust. 
7. Remove the screwdriver from the handle, then use it to open the bolt. Check beneath the seat for any protruding bolts. Unwind the nut with your hand by taking up some slack. Keep the bolt steady with your pliers as you remove the nut.
8. You could utilize a hacksaw to remove the bolts if all of these measures fail. To protect yourself from scratches, cover the porcelain with your knife as you saw through it. 
9. As a result, secure the rest of the toilet with masking or duct tape to avoid hacking through any other sections of the toilet.
10. Remove the bolts that are used to connect the toilet seat hinges with the toilet.
11. The most common method is to cut the nuts off. Pliers are an effective tool for this, but if the bolts are too tight, try using a tiny drill with a diameter of roughly 1/16 inch.
12. When drilling, keep the bit steady and apply some pressure to break the bolt and nut. Drilling with too much power might cause damage.

Removing a Seat with Metal Hinges

If the bolts are made of metal, you may use pliers to remove them. One disadvantage of metal hinges is that they rust. Even if the pliers can’t unscrew the bolt, it’s still possible that they’ll become rusted.

You may pick the lock with a socket wrench and then grip the metal hinges more firmly by removing the wingnut underneath the toilet. The socket should be around half an inch wide to accommodate the bolts without difficulty.

To soften the grip on the nut, use a lubricant to counteract the rust on the brass or steel hinges. If you don’t have a badge, this might be necessary.

WD40 or penetrating oil should be used as it has lubricating properties. Allow for an hour before attempting to open the bolt again using oil as a lubricant and then

If the bolt spins but does not unwind, it indicates that the rust is too deep and the oil can’t assist. The last possibility is to break or cut through the hinges. You may attempt two techniques;

• Use a drill to break the metal hinges. The high-powered tool will apply a lot of force, shattering the metal hinge.
• Remove the old lock with a propane torch and break down the pieces of metal to remove them. Set it on a low flame and be careful not to get burned. Heat the bolts for a few seconds, then take them out.

Both of these techniques require safety, so put on your protective gear and wrap the rest of the toilet with duct tape to prevent damage. Consider hiring a professional if this is difficult for you.

Removing a Seat that Doesn’t have any Screws

If there are no screws or bolts on the toilet seat, cut it out with a hacksaw to remove it from the toilet. The procedure is as follows:

1. Gather the materials you’ll need: a hacksaw, safety glasses, duct tape, carpets, and any knives you may have.
2. Cover the remaining portion of the toilet with duct tape after opening the lid. Make sure you cover every square inch of the toilet from front to back.
3. Mark the sites where you’ll be cutting and put the knife beneath the toilet seat to assist you as you cut.
4. Begin by carefully cutting on one side of the toilet seat. Cut through the top of the toilet seat to the other side.
5. Scrape off any areas you didn’t cut well with the knife.
6. Remove any remaining offer pieces using the rug. That’s all there is to it!