Installing a toilet seat, especially a Kohler seat, is fairly easy. With a few basic tools, you can finish the job in a short time. To help you learn how to install a Kohler seat, we researched to guide you step-by-step.
Installing a Kohler toilet seat is very easy. Follow the guide below, and you will be done in a short time:
- Insert tabs into the notches at the back of the seat so that the plus sign is facing the front of the bowl. Insert bolts through the tabs.
- Align the bolts with the holes in the toilet.
- Insert the self-centering nuts onto the bottom of the bolts.
- Tighten the bolts.
- If the seat is longer than the toilet, detach the seat.
- Loosen the bolts and turn the tabs so that the plus sign is facing the toilet bowl.
- Reattach the seat and tighten the bolts.
If you need to learn how to install a Kohler toilet seat, keep reading for a detailed guide. Included are methods of removing toilet bowl stains and signs that it's time to replace your toilet. Also, you'll find out what determines the lifespan of a toilet seat and the reasons you may need to install a slow-close toilet seat.
Guide To Installing A Kohler Toilet Seat
A Kohler toilet seat is easy to install. You will need to use a screwdriver to complete the job. The following detailed guide shows you how to install a quick-release Kohler seat:
- Start by inserting tabs into the notches at the back of the seat.
- Ensure the plus sign on each tab faces the front of the bowl.
- Insert the bolts through the tabs.
- To fix the seat to the toilet, align the bolts with the holes in the toilet.
- Next, firmly hold one bolt in place and push the nut onto the bottom of the bolt.
- While holding the nut, use a screwdriver to tighten the bolt.
- Repeat steps 5 and 6 to fix the other bolt and nut.
- If the seat happens to be longer than the toilet, pull out the seat.
- Loosen each bolt so that you can rotate the tabs to face the toilet tank.
- Reattach the seat and make sure the edge is level with the toilet.
- Hold the nut and hinge assembly and tighten the bolts.
- Attach the cover caps to the seat.
Check out the video below to see a demonstration of the above process.
How To Remove Stains From A Toilet Seat
Urine and hard water can slowly turn your toilet seat yellow. You should clean it often to prevent this from happening. If the seat is already stained, the following methods can help:
Use Baking Soda
Start by cleaning the seat with soap and water. Afterward, mix a half-cup of baking soda with some water to form a paste. Apply this paste on top and under the seat. Allow it to sit for 20 minutes. Use a soft sponge to clean the seat, and then rinse.
Use Vinegar
You can use distilled white vinegar to clean the seat. Due to its acidic properties, vinegar can remove stains. Mix a half-cup of vinegar and two cups of warm water. Dip a sponge into this mixture and wipe the seat.
Use Bleach
Bleach may be your best option if the above methods fail to remove stains. Bleach is a harsh product, but sometimes we need it to remove tough stains.
Before using bleach, wear eye protection and rubber gloves because bleach can irritate your eyes and skin. Add a half-cup of bleach to four cups of hot water.
Soak a sponge in the bleach solution and wash the seat in a circular motion. For stubborn stains, use a brush to scrub. Bleach is beneficial because it doubles up as a germ killer. Finally, rinse the seat and allow it to dry before using the toilet.
Signs That You Should Replace Your Toilet Seat
It’s Broken
A cracked or broken seat can be dangerous to sit on. It can pinch your skin or harm you in some other ways. Also, the cracks in the seat can encourage the growth of germs.
Check out this Kohler toilet seat on Amazon.
Stains
Despite cleaning and scrubbing the toilet seat often, over time, stains can cause permanent discoloration. This can make your bathroom look dull or dirty.
Moving To A New House
For hygiene and aesthetic purposes, you may want to change the toilet seat of a new home you are moving into. Since you might not be able to change the toilet bowl, you can at least change the toilet seat.
Loose Toilet Seat
A loose seat is not stable. You may find it hard to prevent the seat from moving around while seated on it. It can also pose hygiene issues.
Kohler seats have grip tight bumpers to prevent them from moving side to side. Using this type of seat can be a good option.
Check out the video below for a demonstration of how the bumpers keep the seat stable.
What Determines The Lifespan Of A Toilet Seat?
We mentioned earlier that a toilet seat can last between five and seven years. The following factors can determine how long your toilet seat will last:
Hinge Strength
A strong hinge can last for a long time and keep the seat secure. A weak hinge will keep coming off, requiring you to replace the toilet seat.
You can find this Kohler hinge kit on Amazon.
Usage
If you have many occupants in your home, the toilet will get a lot of use. This can cause it to wear out faster.
This is an elongated Kohler toilet that you can find on Amazon.
Type Of Material
The type of material a toilet seat is made from can determine its durability. A seat made from wood will not last as long as a seat made from plastic.
Do You Need A Slow Close Toilet Seat?
Slamming a toilet seat can crack it or break it. This is one of the reasons you may need to replace your current toilet seat with a slow-close toilet seat. This type of seat has hinges with extra tension. By tapping it lightly, the seat will come down slowly without making a sound.
A slow-close seat has a number of benefits.
Safer For Children
A slow-close seat is safer for children. There's no risk that the seat will slam down on their fingers or hands.
Durable
The hinges on a slow-close seat are much stronger than those on an ordinary seat. This means the seat will last longer.
Hygienic
Closing the toilet by tapping it is more hygienic than holding it down until it closes.
Cost Of Repairing A Toilet Seat And Other Parts
Generally, calling a professional to fix a toilet seat, including tightening a seat, costs between $50 and $70. The repair of a handle costs slightly more, between $50 and $80.
To fix a tank can cost up to $250. Repairing a toilet bowl costs between $100 and $300. Other issues, such as a toilet leak, can cost as much as $600 to repair.
In Closing
Installing a toilet seat is easy. In this post, we provided instructions to guide you on how to install a Kohler seat.
If your seat has stains, you can remove them using the remedies mentioned in this post. However, if the stains won’t come off, you may need to buy a new toilet seat.
A slow-close toilet seat can be an excellent option when replacing your seat. It makes using the toilet more hygienic and safer for children.
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