# What to do about unstable toilet seats? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 7, 2018, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-unstable-toilet-seats/813772 "2018-05-07T18:42:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-unstable-toilet-seats/813772/1 "2018-05-07T18:42:32Z")
One of my clients is a big lady – maybe 300 pounds? I have had to replace her toilet seat twice in the last few months. The last time was only a week ago, and the new seat has already come detached on one side. The problem is that the way they are made now, the bolts go through the toilet itself but not the seat. The seat then snaps onto the bolts and is held there by the tension of a flimsy plastic arrangement inside. Any lateral motion then results in the seat un-snapping from the bolt, and after that the tension is pretty much lost. It won’t snap back on again securely and is loose ever after. The packaging on this seat even specifically said it wouldn’t do this, but it did. What can I do? Does anyone make the old-fashioned, much more secure kind of attachment? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-unstable-toilet-seats/813772/2 "2018-05-07T18:52:48Z")
Replace it with a seat with metal hinges. Wood toilet seats usually have metal hinges/hardware. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-unstable-toilet-seats/813772/3 "2018-05-07T19:03:44Z")
I have seen stainless steel seats in hospitals. I am sure they must be available somewhere. I suspect they are sturdier. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-unstable-toilet-seats/813772/4 "2018-05-07T19:43:22Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Replace it with a seat with metal hinges. Wood toilet seats usually have metal hinges/hardware. This was my solution. Expect to pay more, but it will be worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-unstable-toilet-seats/813772/5 "2018-05-07T19:58:12Z")
Also, are there grab bars (reachable while sitting) in her bathroom? If not. add some – that will reduce the stress put on the toilet seat when rising. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-unstable-toilet-seats/813772/6 "2018-05-07T20:00:25Z")
> **[Toilet Seats](https://www.globalindustrial.com/c/plumbing/toilets_urinals/toilet_seats)** > > Shop for Toilet Seats in Toilets & Urinals. Global Industrial is a Leading Distributor of Plumbing & Pumps supplies. I purchased one of these and it supports my substantial self. ---
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-unstable-toilet-seats/813772/7 "2018-05-07T20:11:40Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > Also, are there grab bars (reachable while sitting) in her bathroom? > If not. add some – that will reduce the stress put on the toilet seat when rising. You’re absolutely right, and I have plans to do just that. However, I think the lateral motion occurs when she twists to one side to wipe. Still, I suppose the bar could help with that too. I know, sorry, TMI. The seats I’ve gotten her actually were wood. **Alpha Twit,** I can’t tell from the picture – how does that seat attach? Didn’t the bolts use to go through **matching holes** on the back of toilet seats, so they literally **could not come off?** ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-unstable-toilet-seats/813772/8 "2018-05-07T20:35:10Z")
> [@brujaja](#): > > The seats I’ve gotten her actually were wood. **Alpha Twit,** I can’t tell from the picture – how does that seat attach? > > \*\* Apparently like this. I don’t have first hand knowledge, but it does look pretty sturdy. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/RSaxW-uMRpY/hqdefault.jpg "STA-TITE® Commercial Fastening System™ Installation") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSaxW-uMRpY) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-unstable-toilet-seats/813772/9 "2018-05-07T20:44:56Z")
If the seat just snaps on to the bolts, you’ve got one of the seats designed to make it easy to clean. They’re designed so you can remove the seat, clean behind it and snap it back on. Next time you replace it, get a ‘regular’ one. Also, I suspect she’s landing on the seat at an angle. If she was just sitting straight down and standing straight back up, the seat wouldn’t move. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-unstable-toilet-seats/813772/10 "2018-05-07T22:35:30Z")
Plenty of seats don’t have the quick release. Get a Toto SS114 in white for elongated toilets. SS113 if it’s round. Very secure and as a 300 pound guy I can’t attest to its durability. Plastic is better than wood, it will flex instead of cracking. ---
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-unstable-toilet-seats/813772/11 "2018-05-07T23:15:10Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > Apparently like this. I don’t have first hand knowledge, but it does look pretty sturdy. > > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSaxW-uMRpY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSaxW-uMRpY) Oh, that is **wonderful**! Thank you, **Folly**! ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2018, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-unstable-toilet-seats/813772/12 "2018-05-08T03:36:55Z")
The Big John Company specializes in just this topic with numerous models to choose from: [http://www.bigjohnproducts.com/seats.htm](http://www.bigjohnproducts.com/seats.htm) Dennis ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2018, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-unstable-toilet-seats/813772/13 "2018-05-08T04:29:17Z")
That should have been “can attest” in my post. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2018, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-unstable-toilet-seats/813772/14 "2018-05-08T04:37:46Z")
> [@brujaja](#): > > Oh, that is **wonderful**! Thank you, **Folly**! And they have them in stock at my local Home Despot. I see a purchase in my near future because those awful wobbly plastic nut not very attached seats are a menace to people with a dodgy knee. Ouch. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2018, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-unstable-toilet-seats/813772/15 "2018-05-08T04:51:04Z")
> [@mixdenny](#): > > The Big John Company specializes in just this topic with numerous models to choose from: > > [http://www.bigjohnproducts.com/seats.htm](http://www.bigjohnproducts.com/seats.htm) > > Dennis For $168 it would have to teach my dog to use the toilet.