The trials and tribulations of new home ownership always turn up something you don’t see coming. Our black and white bathroom had a yellow-ed up, gross toilet seat, so I ordered a black seat (because I like the look of a black seat on a white toilet) from Target and was going to make the quick switch today.
I started with side that was most accessible, and the plastic nut unscrewed easily by hand. I reached over to the other side, nestled closely to the wall and radiator cover, and felt a shredded up plastic nut with my fingertips. I looked under there, and sure enough, the metal bolt was rusted over and the nut practically dissolved. I got vice grips and gave it all of my strength for a collective 30 minutes split up into ten-minute efforts. My hands are shredded now, too. I don’t know why I didn’t immediately consult the Family Handyman or YouTube, but I know now what I will have to do:
If you ever find yourself in this predicament, it all depends on your toilet arrangement. I used the trick in the video above although I didn’t have a blow torch or a sturdy metal tool. I also sprayed the bolt from above with WD-40 which I believe loosened up some of the “rust”.
I did break down the nut well enough to help shimmy free the bolt with vice grips. Phew! The Family Handyman link below offers a few other options for different toilet equipment. Hopefully one of these ideas works for you! It sure as hell better work for me tomorrow!
