How To Install A Handicap Toilet Seat

A simple task such as taking a trip to the toilet can many times be perceived as an ordeal by those who are dealing with limited mobility due to recent surgery, disability, or age. If a loved one is going through such an experience and you also need to know how to choose a good handicap toilet, our recent article on this might come in handy, so don’t hesitate to check it out.

You might find yourself in a situation where you need to install such a toilet seat on your own. If you don’t have experience when it comes to such a task, then the information you’ll find in this article can definitely help you figure out how to get this done. However, before going into further details on how to install a handicap toilet seat, let’s take a look at some other options.

Toilet risers

Depending on the user’s condition, a toilet riser can also be a good solution, since it can add a few inches and therefore allow someone with limited mobility to be able to use the bathroom without help. The good thing about toilet risers is that they can usually fit over an already existing toilet seat.

Another option you can keep in mind is a foam toilet seat cushion that essentially does the same thing, reducing strain for those who are struggling when using a standard toilet, by raising it several inches. Moreover, cushions are generally rather inexpensive, even though high-density foam ones are pricier.

However, the solution you choose depends on the person who is going to use it and on its condition. The first thing you need to do is to talk to a specialist and see what the appropriate course of action is. With this being said, let’s see what you should keep in mind if you do need to install a toilet for people with disabilities.

There are several alternatives you can choose from when it comes to a raised toilet seat, and the three of the most popular ones are raised toilet seats that come with an adjustment knob, a bubble-type one, and the adjustable height raised option. In the following lines, we’ll take a look at what the installation process is for each of these.

Raised toilet seat with an adjustable knob

For this model, the first step you need to take is to lift up the toilet lid, as well as the seat so that they don’t get in your way. Then you need to turn the specially made adjustment knob while having it placed on the new toilet seat and make sure you do this counterclockwise. This will loosen the bracket, therefore reduce the size of the ring insert.

You should continue doing this until the insert ring is of the right size and you can place it into the toilet bowl. After this step, you need to place it within the bowl rim opening and use the rear flange in order to hook it underneath the back edge of the said bowl. The trick here is making sure that the raised toilet sits flat and doesn’t wiggle on the bowl rim.

Also, keep in mind that the adjustment knob should be placed at the front end of the bowl. When this is done, you need to push the toilet seat back as much as possible, so that it stays centered on the bowl’s rim. Once everything is placed the way it needs to be, you can start turning the adjustment knob clockwise and tighten it securely so that it stays in place.

You should do this until you feel resistance and then go for another ¼ turn in order to make sure that it’s tight. One tip you might want to be aware of is that you should use your hands to adjust the knob, not a wrench so that you can easily unhook the installation once it’s no longer needed.

Bubble-type raised seat

If you decide that this is the alternative you’re going to go for, then you’ll be happy to hear that installing it is actually a very easy task. As for pretty much any other case, the first step is to lift up the cover and the toilet seat, so that they stay out of your way. Depending on the model of raised seat you’ve chosen, you might be able to remove them altogether.

Then you need to simply line up the new toilet seat in such a way that the taller end is placed on the rear of the bowl, while the ring stays over the bowl’s opening. Next, you need to simply press it down until it stays securely in place. You could also test it by pulling it around a bit, in order to make sure that it is safe for the user at any given moment.

Raised toilet seat with an adjustable height

In the case of a raised toilet seat that offers the option of adjustable height, the first step is the same one, namely taking the cover and the toilet seat out of the way, before going forward and installing the new one. These particular models come with adjustment clamps that are used to elevate the seat.

For this reason, you need to make sure that all of them are set at the same height, before placing the new toilet seat onto the bowl. Once you do this and you are in the process of positioning it, you should make sure that the said clamps slide over the bowl’s sides and that they are properly aligned with it.

You can do this by either tightening or loosening the bolts onto those places where clamps get attached to the seat. When they are correctly positioned, you can tighten the bolts using a wrench, since you need to make sure that the entire unit remains securely in place.

Some tips and tricks

For those who have difficulty moving around or have lost some mobility due to injury, age, or disability, raised toilet seats can be an extremely effective solution since they tend to make the daily habit a lot more comfortable. Moreover, since the medical equipment industry has many options to offer, the same applies in the case of handicap toilet seats.

Once you start researching this topic, you’ll see that there are multiple alternatives you can go for. There are those with cushioned seats, handles, seats with legs that extend to the floor, or even models that include armrests, just to name a few. Moreover, some of the products are designed to include deeper rear and front cut out areas, in order to facilitate personal hygiene.

In case the person who is going to use the seat also uses a wheelchair, then a model that includes removable armrests can be a very good choice in terms of safety and of making the entire transferring process an easier one.

Furthermore, there are also products on the market that come with antimicrobial properties, which can be a useful addition depending on where it’s going to be used. While we’ve been discussing top toilet seats, there is also the option of purchasing a bottom install seat elevator.

The difference is that instead of adding extra height on the toilet seat’s surface, these models add it on the ground level, using elevators that can blend in with the bathroom environment. However, the installation process, in this case, is rather complex, so you might want to talk to a specialist before getting it done.

Bibliography:

1) Installing a Raised Toilet Seat

2) Working with the disabled homemaker

3) What are Raised Toilet Seats Used For?

4) Ergonomic raised toilet seat assembly