Why is the screw so long on toilet seats?
By rosegardens
@rosegardens (3032)
United States
July 28, 2011 1:28am CST
Hello fellow mylotters. I had to change my toilet seat tonight. The old one was driving me crazy. It was one of those soft seats, very nice except in this weather it gets mildew! EWE!! Got tired of cleaning it, so I put on the hard seat. The thing that struck me was the turning of the screw, it seemed I was at it for at least 1/4 an hour. My question is, why do they make the screws so long on the toilet seats? 
I think I have developed carpel tunnel from all the work. To top it off, my left hand was getting really tired so I switched to my right. I ended up turning the screw the wrong way, so it took me at least thrice as long. I quit doing that side and did the other a little bit, then when I got that one done, I began to realize the other side was taking too long and I realized what I did. After the third switch. 
I liked the cover on my old seat better, the leopard pattern matched my shower curtain a little bit better than this one does. But, the seat is also a spotted cat pattern on the new one. 
That beats a plain old black or white seat anyday!
Does anyone actually have a toilet that doesn't need someone to keep turning a screw for an eternity? One that actually fits the toilet? Or did the toilet people think it would be fun to mess with us?
I think I have developed carpel tunnel from all the work. To top it off, my left hand was getting really tired so I switched to my right. I ended up turning the screw the wrong way, so it took me at least thrice as long. I quit doing that side and did the other a little bit, then when I got that one done, I began to realize the other side was taking too long and I realized what I did. After the third switch.
I liked the cover on my old seat better, the leopard pattern matched my shower curtain a little bit better than this one does. But, the seat is also a spotted cat pattern on the new one. That beats a plain old black or white seat anyday!
Does anyone actually have a toilet that doesn't need someone to keep turning a screw for an eternity? One that actually fits the toilet? Or did the toilet people think it would be fun to mess with us?2 people like this
5 responses
@manleyjoe (1597)
• United States
28 Jul 11
They make the "screws" Bolts so long because they are designed to fit several models of toilets. The plastic nuts do not rust to the bolts as the metal ones do when the stools are cleaned regular.
@manleyjoe (1597)
• United States
29 Jul 11
Are you sure that you are not just upset with Wal-Mart for selling the el-cheapo seat to you.
1 person likes this
@rosegardens (3032)
• United States
28 Jul 11
Do you have a toilet the screws actually fit nicely on? I don't believe in all my years I have seen a toilet that could use up that much screw.
I told my friend of my experience this morning, and she told me when she was younger she used to change her toilet seat for her dad, but they had 'normal' screws. Huh? 
The screws on her toilet fit much better and it did not take forever to put the thing on. I am amazed! Maybe when I was growing up we had one of those too, but we had the seat forever and I think it got changed after I moved out. Back then, they made things to last. But I never had to change it, screw it or otherwise, so I do not know anything about older toilets.
Manleyjoe, I do still believe it is a conspiracy by the toilet seat makers to mess with our heads. 
The screws on her toilet fit much better and it did not take forever to put the thing on. I am amazed! Maybe when I was growing up we had one of those too, but we had the seat forever and I think it got changed after I moved out. Back then, they made things to last. But I never had to change it, screw it or otherwise, so I do not know anything about older toilets.
Manleyjoe, I do still believe it is a conspiracy by the toilet seat makers to mess with our heads. 1 person likes this
@rosegardens (3032)
• United States
30 Jul 11
El-cheapo? lolol! It cost enough and I hope to get at least a good ten years out of it for what I paid. About every year I have to replace the cushie ones because they split and get to be a pain to clean. even at the discount store they are a bit high for a throw-away necessary item. I think the cheapest one I got was $8.00.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Designer-Toilet-Seat-Leopard-Skin-Print/15196388
There is a photo of my new seat. 
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
28 Jul 11
I have often wondered the same, a hacksaw usually resolves the conundrum
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@rosegardens (3032)
• United States
28 Jul 11
lol! Yes, I would think a hacksaw would work fabulously on getting the screw off. Hmmmm.......I guess one could cut the length of the screw down to put it on the toilet as well. You have a terrific idea there. Have you ever cut the screw so you did not spend so long screwing on the nut?
Hmmmm.......I guess one could cut the length of the screw down to put it on the toilet as well. You have a terrific idea there. Have you ever cut the screw so you did not spend so long screwing on the nut?@rosegardens (3032)
• United States
19 Sep 12
It is a metal screw, so no I did not try to cut it. I don't have anything to cut metal with. thanks for the idea though, but I did think of it. If it were a cheapo plastic screw, I could have cut it no problem.
@rosegardens (3032)
• United States
30 Jul 11
The cheap ones don't last long at all, trust me. I kept getting the soft ones because they are inexpensive, but they need to be replaced all the time because they tear. A hard seat may be a bit more uncomfortable in the winter, but hopefully it is worth the money and will not break within a year. I'm hoping to get 10 years out of it. If I don't put on any more weight, it may last that long.
@ckdbandara (236)
• Sri Lanka
28 Jul 11
I also having a thought of changing my toilet seat and buy the best in the market because it is a thing I have to use everyday so I am looking for the best.
1 person likes this
@Triapod (18)
• United States
28 Jul 11
My toilet seat has long screws too. Not only are they long but they are in such a hard to reach place. I also had to change my toilet seat lately and the nut for the screw was in such a hard to reach location that it took ages to get a grip on it. I was flopping around on the floor trying to open it.
My old toilet seat had plastic screws and nuts which was a nightmare. When trying to get it out I used pliers to try and turn the nut. It got crushed. I had to crush it all the more so it would come out.
1 person likes this
@rosegardens (3032)
• United States
28 Jul 11
I hate those plastic screws and nuts. My new seat has metal screws and plastic nuts, not quite so bad but even so, I would have liked all metal.
It is fun to change these things isn't it? My shoulder is beginning to hurt because of the angle I had to twist into in order to get the screw in. Getting them out seemed easier, but trying to put them in was really a challenge because the screws were sideways against the bowl, and I had to straighten them. I really hope not to have to do this again for a very, very long time! When I was growing up, we had the same seat for most of my life!
Love it when the nuts end up getting squished like that. 
At least a set of bolt cutters will get it loose if that happens, it is easy to break through the plastic.
Isn't it funny how a project that should take a few minutes at best ends up taking soooo much longer because of these little complications?
My shoulder is beginning to hurt because of the angle I had to twist into in order to get the screw in. Getting them out seemed easier, but trying to put them in was really a challenge because the screws were sideways against the bowl, and I had to straighten them. I really hope not to have to do this again for a very, very long time! When I was growing up, we had the same seat for most of my life!
Love it when the nuts end up getting squished like that. At least a set of bolt cutters will get it loose if that happens, it is easy to break through the plastic.
Isn't it funny how a project that should take a few minutes at best ends up taking soooo much longer because of these little complications?