Can you lay laminate without removing toilet?

Author: Webster Torp  |  Last update: Sunday, October 15, 2023

If you aren't too concerned with the finished look, then you might be able to install flooring with the toilet in place, just don't expect a picture-perfect finished look. However, if you want the best final result, take the extra step of removing the toilet first. It's worth it in the end.

Does a toilet sit on top of laminate flooring?

If you're installing a new floor, pedestal sink, and toilet, you should install the laminate flooring first so it's under the sink and toilet. Because laminate flooring floats above the sub-floor on top of underlayment, it will expand and contract slightly with the temperature and humidity of the room.

Do I have to remove the toilet to install vinyl plank flooring?

If you are installing vinyl planks in a bathroom, you may need to temporarily remove the toilet or you can install around it. If the subfloor is unlevel, you can fix low spots with a self-leveling product and sand or grind down high spots. Tip: Do not try to sand down old vinyl flooring, as it may contain asbestos.

Should you remove toilet before flooring?

What this means in practical terms is that you should always remove the toilet if you are renovating it, in order to place tiles beneath the toilet on the new bathroom floor. The toilet flange then goes atop after you install tiles for the bathroom flooring.

Where should you not put laminate flooring?

Don't install your laminate on any floor with a drain. Don't install laminate on any uneven subfloor or outdoors. Don't install your laminate over residential carpet. Don't install a second layer of laminate underlayment.

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Can urine get under laminate flooring?

Unless you are a quick draw on the mop; dog urine will damage laminate flooring, real wood flooring, engineered wood and tile grout. Unfortunately with a lot of flooring the pee will be absorbed into the floor itself or underneath and this is what can make the issue very difficult and expensive.

Can water get under laminate flooring?

Water under your laminate flooring can cause severe damage if not dried quickly.

Does flooring go under or around toilet flange?

A best practice is to install the toilet flange on top of the finished floor. If you install the toilet flange flush with the finished floor, or even below the finished floor, leak paths will form, because the flange won't be at the correct height to accept the horn at the bottom of the toilet.

Does laminate flooring go under toilet flange?

Thus, if your flooring is laminate, your toilet flange should sit a quarter-inch above the flooring to ensure a good seal with varying wax thickness.

Do bathrooms need waterproof laminate flooring?

Bathrooms are humid. In fact, it's the most humid room in our homes. So when you install flooring, you want to choose flooring that is waterproof or at least water-resistant.

What can damage laminate flooring?

Laminate floors are durable, but they can scratch or scuff, so avoid things like steel wool as well. Although laminate is a hard floor, you want to avoid steam cleaning to tackle tough stains as it can loosen that top protective layer and damage the surface.

What are the side effects of laminate flooring?

Formaldehyde exposure may potentially cause a variety of symptoms and adverse health effects, such as eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation, coughing, wheezing, and allergic reactions. Long-term exposure to high levels of formaldehyde has been associated with cancer in humans and laboratory animals.

Do dogs ruin laminate floors?

Can dogs scratch laminate floors? By its very nature and construction, laminate flooring products are durable and able to withstand scratches from even the biggest dogs. Sometimes scratches happen, however, so if and when they do happen you'll want to use a laminate floor repair kit.

Should laminate flooring be cut face up or down?

In fact, you can cut the planks using a table saw, miter saw, circular saw, hand saw or laminate cutter. However, using a diamond blade is recommended as laminate can be tough to cut through and may damage another type of blade. Typically, you will cut with the finished side up.

Do you need padding under laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring can hold up to general wear and tear as long as you take proper precautions. Tightly seaming the boards to protect them from moisture is one such precaution. Installing padding is also necessary for laminate flooring in most cases.

Do you need to leave a gap around laminate flooring?

You should leave a 10mm gap between the laminate flooring and the walls on all sides. The same applies to other solid objects such as doorframes, heating pipes, stoves and radiators that are flush with the floor and furniture.

Which way should flooring run in bathroom?

As a general rule, make sure to lay your floor in the same direction as the main light source in a room and in the same line as the most frequently used entrance. If there are several doors and windows, then opt for the direction that's the easiest to install.

What is best flooring for bathroom?

The most popular choice for bathrooms is tile. Specifically, ceramic and porcelain tiles are great options for bathrooms. Tile flooring is resilient, waterproof, available in a variety of colors and designs, and generally less expensive than other hard surface options.

Should a toilet be glued to the floor?

Yes, the bathroom is a place to get clean, but it can easily be a place to trap some pretty foul smells. If you don't caulk a toilet to the floor, you could find yourself smelling leftover residue from smelly mop water, tub water, or even worse, the remnants of your son's potty training.

What goes between toilet and floor?

Without caulk around the toilet base, water can get under there and sit for a long time. Stagnant water is a breeding ground for bugs and mold. Applying silicone caulk prevents water infiltration and helps you maintain and clean and healthy bathroom.

Do flooring companies remove toilets?

The professional ones do. If the toilet is not removed than the vinyl or tile doesn't go under the toilet. This is an inferior job for many reasons.

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