Soft-close Seat
Soft-close Seat | Toilet Upgrades and Replacements | Plumbing | Cowan
Tired of the midnight lid-slam or a wobbly old pan spoiling your bathroom vibe? HEP’s licensed plumbers in Cowan specialise in soft-close seat installations that glide silently into place, delivering instant luxury without the hefty price tag. From modern water-saving cisterns to sleek, compact bowls that free up valuable space, we source premium fixtures that fit flawlessly with your décor and your budget.
Whether you’re refreshing a single ensuite or renovating every bathroom in the house, our end-to-end service for toilet upgrades and replacements keeps everything hassle-free. We arrive on time, dispose of the old unit responsibly, test every seal and flush, and leave the room spotless—so the only thing you’ll notice is a quieter, cleaner, more efficient throne. Book your upgrade today and feel the HEP difference every time you press the button.
FAQs
What is a soft-close toilet seat and how does it work?
A soft-close seat looks like a regular toilet seat but has specially tensioned hinges with built-in dampers. When you push the lid or seat down they release slowly, so it closes in 5–10 seconds instead of slamming shut. The mechanism is completely mechanical—no electricity or batteries—so there is very little to maintain, and the hinges are corrosion-resistant to cope with bathroom moisture.
Why should I upgrade to a soft-close seat when replacing my toilet in Cowan?
Upgrading while the plumber is already on site saves you a second call-out fee and makes sure the new seat is matched perfectly to the pan. Soft-close seats prevent damaging impacts that can crack porcelain, reduce noise in the middle of the night, and are safer for children’s fingers. Many modern soft-close models also have quick-release buttons that let you lift the whole seat off for thorough cleaning—ideal for the Hawkesbury sandstone dust that finds its way into homes around Cowan.
Can a soft-close seat be fitted to my existing toilet or do I need a full replacement?
In most cases a retrofit is possible. Soft-close seats come in both top-fix and bottom-fix styles and usually suit fixing-hole spacings between 155 mm and 230 mm—the range that covers more than 90 % of pans sold in Australia. If your bowl is an unusual shape or has inset metal posts that cannot be removed, replacement may be more economical. Our plumber carries a measuring jig and several seat options to confirm compatibility during the initial visit.
How long does a toilet upgrade or full replacement take, and will my water be off for long?
A straightforward seat swap is done in about 20 minutes. A full toilet replacement—including isolating the water, draining the cistern, removing the old pan, checking the pan collar, installing a new water-efficient suite, and fitting the soft-close seat—usually takes 2–3 hours. Your property’s water is normally off for 30–60 minutes while we disconnect and reconnect the supply, so plan any washing or showering around that window.
Are soft-close seats more hygienic and easier to clean than standard seats?
Yes. Most premium soft-close seats are made from duroplast or high-density polypropylene that is non-porous and treated with an antimicrobial additive. The gentle closing action keeps liquids from splashing up, and the quick-release hinges let you remove the seat completely in seconds, so you can wipe the ceramic area that normally hides under the hinges—a common breeding ground for bacteria on older seats.
What warranties and after-sales support do you provide with a toilet replacement in Cowan?
All new toilets we install carry the manufacturer’s warranty—typically 5–10 years on ceramic components and 12–24 months on internal valves and the soft-close seat. On top of that, our Cowan plumbing team gives you a 6-year labour guarantee: if any part we fitted leaks or fails due to workmanship, we fix it free of charge. We also lodge the Compliance Certificate with NSW Fair Trading, dispose of the old suite responsibly, and offer an optional annual inspection service to keep your cistern seals, inlet valves, and seat hinges in top condition.