How To Remove A Stripped Screw From Toilet Seat?

Have you ever tried to remove a screw from your toilet seat yourself? It might strip it out somehow, and you couldn’t get it extracted. Fixing this may seem a bit hard. We’re here to let you know how to remove a stripped screw from toilet seat without any hassle.

Displacing the toilet seat while fixing it can save a lot of time and inconvenience, especially when it gets stuck. In this article, we will be sharing a few simple tricks which will make your task much more manageable. Without further delay, let’s get started! 

Table of Contents

• How To Remove A Stripped Screw From Toilet Seat?
  • Step 1- Get The Required Instruments
  • Step 2- Remove The Old Toilet Seat From The Base
  • Step 3- Use Wood Over The Base To Avoid Damage
  • Step 4- Use A Screwdriver Or Vice Grips
  • Step 5- Squeeze The Stuck Bolt Out With A Hammer
  • Step 6 – Pull Until The Screw Comes Off
  • Why Do Screws Get Rusted & How To Handle Them If It’s Stuck?
  • Toilet Seat Plastic Screw Stripped: What To Do?
  • FAQs
  • In Conclusion

How To Remove A Stripped Screw From Toilet Seat?

Depending on the condition of your toilet, the removal procedure might be a little bit different. The metal screws can turn rusted more rapidly, which can be more challenging to clean than a plastic screw.

By following the steps below, you will easily get to know the entire process.

Step 1- Get The Required Instruments

Before you start the process of removing the stripped screw from the seat you have to get the necessary tools. Such as 

• Rubber Gloves
• Mask
• Vice grips or regular pliers
• Piece of wood or cardboard or plastic sheet
• Claw hammer
• Screwdriver 
• Wrench
• Lubricant or soap water
• Tape or towel 

Step 2- Remove The Old Toilet Seat From The Base

Displacing the toilet seat and the lid is a key point that makes your work much easier before you start. It’s better to remove the seat rather than replace it, right?

Basically, all you need is a few instruments and stamina. You should use vice grips pliers as the toilet seat removal tool. However, initially, it takes a bit of energy, but you will get used to it within a while.

Take a vice grip plier or regular wrench and remove the parts one by one until all the pieces are out, and you’ll reach close enough to the screw. Removing the seat from the bowl can cut off half of your time, whether the seat is broken or not. 

Step 3- Use Wood Over The Base To Avoid Damage

If you’re concerned about putting that much stress on the ceramic, using wooden piles or cardboard over the base after the removal of the seat might be a great solution.  

Before removing the screw, place a piece of the wooden board near the screw to protect the base from further damage from the next procedures. Thick plastic boards or cardboards will also go if the wooden board is unavailable.

Step 4- Use A Screwdriver Or Vice Grips

After breaking off all the portions of the seat, still, some plastic or ceramic coverings may remain around the screw surface and underneath the expansion bolt. 

In this situation, take a needle head vice grip or a screwdriver and pull out the extra piece from the area to place the wooden board under the expansion bolt. It will give you additional support to the base under compression and pressure. 

Step 5- Squeeze The Stuck Bolt Out With A Hammer

As the wooden board is supporting the bolt, place a hammer underneath it to loosen it up. Now, you can pry it out easily with a little amount of pressure. 

If it’s not working, squeeze and pull a bit harder. It may seem scary at first, but there are no chances to crack the bowl at all as we have the wooden piece as support. 

For an extra precaution, make sure to lay a towel over the bowl or tape it. So that you do not drop parts, broken pieces or any necessary tools into the toilet.

Step 6 – Pull Until The Screw Comes Off

If you are still unable to get it out, try to work smarter, not harder. Press the hammer against the wooden board. The cracking sound indicates how stronger it’s joined. It may take some time but it’s totally worthwhile.

Use medium size claw hammers to get a good grip. The squeezing process also becomes easier while you are using this hammer, and the screw comes off easily. 

As soon as the screw comes off, wipe the area, and push the rubber gasket inside. Now you are done and ready to install a brand new seat!

Why Do Screws Get Rusted & How To Handle Them If It’s Stuck?

Rusted screws are one of the common problems. You need to imply more tasks to remove toilet seat metal fixings than plastics or any other varieties. Humidity, hypoventilation and environmental change cause metal decay, and that’s how corrosion occurs.

So, how to remove a rusted screw from a toilet seat? Well, you have to follow the same procedure we have mentioned earlier. But what if it doesn’t work? Is there any other way? These questions may arise. We are here to help.

To remove a rusted screw

• Remove the toilet seat with pliers. 
• Use gel or spray lubricant into the rusted area. Wait for 5-10 minutes, and let it sit for a while. It will soften up the rust as well as loosen up the screw.
• Use a wrench or screwdriver counterclockwise to remove the screw.
• If it’s not working well, use a claw hammer and pull the screw out of the hole.
• You can also try out the hot blade or knife method to melt the rust, and unscrew it if needed.

Toilet Seat Plastic Screw Stripped: What To Do?

Plastic screws are not prone to corrosion, so it’s much easier to handle than metal ones. Are your toilet seat plastic screws stuck? 

• Using a good amount of lubricant may come in handy. 
• Soap water can also be used if lubricants are not available. 
• Then you have to use pliers to unscrew it whenever it loosens up.

FAQs

Why can’t I unscrew my toilet seat?

Toilet seats can get stuck for different reasons. For example, if the screw was extremely tight while installing or it’s rusted for changes in the atmosphere. Uses lubricants directly on the screw to loosen up the use pliers or a wrench to unscrew it. Liquid soap water may also be used, but lubricants work much better.

Will heating up a bolt will loosen it?

Yes, heat can soften and melt the screw if it’s rusted for a while. Use flame form 30-40 seconds. Then, it’ll easily come off. After that, you will be able to pull it off with a hammer or pliers. Putty hot knives or blades can also be used directly on the screw in this situation. But personal safety is a must while using hot instruments.

How to remove a toilet seat?

You can remove toilet seats with a vice grip pliers. Take off the pieces one by one until it is removed totally. Place a towel to block the bowl; otherwise, the removed components might get stuck on the pipe. You can also use drill machines if you’re comfortable with them. But don’t forget to wear safety goggles and a mask to avoid unwanted situations during the procedure.

What is a stripped screw?

A stripped screw is one where the head has been damaged or worn away, making it difficult or impossible to turn with a screwdriver.

Why do toilet seat screws become stripped?

Toilet seat screws can become stripped over time due to wear and tear, or if they are overtightened or tightened at an angle.

What tools do I need to remove a stripped screw from a toilet seat?

You will need pliers, a flat-head screwdriver, a rubber band, or a drill with a screw extractor bit.

How do I remove a stripped screw from a toilet seat with pliers?

Use the pliers to grip the head of the screw and turn it counterclockwise. If the screw is still stuck, use a flat-head screwdriver to push down on the screw while turning it with the pliers.

How do I remove a stripped screw from a toilet seat with a rubber band?

Place a rubber band over the head of the screw, then press the screwdriver into the head and turn it counterclockwise. The rubber band will help provide extra grip and traction to turn the screw.

How do I remove a stripped screw from a toilet seat with a screw extractor bit?

Drill a small hole into the center of the screw head, then insert the screw extractor bit and turn it counterclockwise until the screw comes out.

What if I can’t remove the stripped screw from my toilet seat?

If you are unable to remove the stripped screw using any of the methods above, you may need to purchase a new toilet seat.

In Conclusion

Now you know how to remove a stripped screw from toilet seat and we hope you can do it yourself. This is not going to take a bunch of time. Totally a lifesaver, isn’t it!

Try to follow all the steps properly, and let’s see how it goes. Hopefully, these methods will be helpful.

Thanks for being with us!