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Plumbing

How do I remove toilet seat cover plates that are stuck?

Anonymous user 28/02/2024 - 3.46 PM

I have a loose fitting on my top fixing slow release toilet seat. I removed the seat to reveal the two cover plates. Problem is, I cannot prise off the cover plate, no matter ho hard I try and now the whole fixing has become so loose it swivels around and I can lift up the whole fixing exposing a 3mm gap between the pan and cover plate. Unfortunately when I swivel the fixing it doesn’t unscrew anything. Therefore I now have a fixing that cannot be tightened nor removed conventionally. Any ideas? Thanks for answers so far. So why would an installer silicone the cover to the base when he would know that in a few years time there would be a good chance of the seat needing replaced ? Using a hacksaw to cut through will cause the bolt and fixings to drop down. Is that okay? Can I just get a new fixing set? The other fixing and cover plate are okay and solid: in fact I can’t even move them to get a gap so I guess that “side” could remain so long as I get a suitable fixing for the bad side?

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4 Answers

photofinish contracts

Rating: 5 out of 5

Calne

If it’s a top fixing seat probably what has happened is the person that fitted the seat siliconed the cover to it’s plastic base to stop it moving. Force the plug upwards ( like you have done ) and get a hacksaw and cut through the bolt. When you have done both, push the plastic bits down and you have clean holes.it doesn’t really matter what happens to the bits that fall down, if you can see them fine pick them up, if they are hidden by the ceramic sides of the loo, leave them. If you Have a problem getting the chrome tops off just get a chisel with a metal bolt under them to form a fulcrum and force them off. That will allow you to get to the tightening screw. You can buy new units but as they cost about half as much as a new seat it might be worth considering a new fresh little number. ( Around £20 ) Guy

Answered6 November 2019

Martin House Plumbing Services

Rating: 4.8 out of 5

Lymington

Hi. It is unlikely that silicone has been used, some of them are just a pig to remove. Because it is loose makes this more difficult of course. Underneath you may have 1 of s variety of fixings but it's a fair bet it'll be 1 of the expanding type & so you won't loose anything in the holes. You can try wedging something under the mounting to firm it up, then get a flat screwdriver under the lip of the cover & ease it up all the way around squarely bit by bit. They can be very tight so persevere. Also be carefull not to scratch the china, use something to protect it & possibly a small bit of wood or something as a fulcrum. Hope that helps.

Answered20 November 2019

Anonymous user

Cover plates normally slide off the base or lift off to reveal top fixing screw.

Answered5 November 2019

Anonymous user

You have to use a hacksaw blade which will go through the 3 mm gap and cut it off....

Answered5 November 2019