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.
If you are installing luxury vinyl planks in wet areas such as laundry rooms, bathrooms, or kitchens, installing a waterproof underlayment can give you extra peace of mind. If there should be a spill or a plumbing leak, you can be assured that the water will not penetrate into the subfloor and cause structural damage.
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.
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.
You should always install the floor before the toilet if you want a high-quality finish. This installation will ensure proper coverage by protecting your flooring against water damage. Installing your flooring first means that you will not have to cut your flooring in awkward shapes to fit around the toilet base.
For the Best Look, Remove the Toilet First
Here's the truth: you're going to want to remove the toilet first and then install the flooring in order to get the best look. Getting a perfectly rounded cut around the edges of a toilet can be incredibly challenging. It's nearly impossible to make the edges disappear.
The bathroom fitters are unanimous—if you're looking for a high quality finish, with a better seal against water damage, then always tile the floor first.
In short, vinyl flooring itself can be completely self sustainable and does not require an underlayment to function properly. Another reason underlayments may be suggested for vinyl flooring is if the vinyl flooring type is thin. When the vinyl flooring is thin, it becomes a lot easier to flex and bend.
Vinyl plank flooring provides an amazing water resistance ability. You can shower comfortably without having to worry about damaging the floor with water. One thing to note, however, is that most homeowners prefer luxury vinyl tiles when it comes to the water resistance capability.
Foam: Being one of the least expensive underlayments you can buy, foam fits as the perfect choice to be put under your vinyl floor, especially if your subfloor is made of plywood. However, make sure that you have no moisture issues as foam and water aren't a good combination when it comes to flooring.
Some toilet installations require moving or replacing flooring or drywall, particularly if you're switching to a model with a different size or shape. Any water damage from previous leaks must also be fixed. Replacing flooring typically costs $8 to $24 per square foot.
Generally speaking waste pipes can be run in between floor joists (as above) but not through them (mainly due to the affect that drilling large (40mm+) holes into floor joists has on their ability to support the floor.
Replacing a bathroom subfloor around the toilet area costs between $150 and $200 since the replacement is for a small section of the room. Also, these rooms tend to need subfloor replacement mostly due to water damage, requiring additional labor.
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.
Toilets are attached to a metal or plastic collar known as a toilet floor flange. The flange itself is attached to the floor with screws. The flange leads to the soil stack, a large drain pipe designed to carry a large volume of liquid, etc. at high speeds.
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.
So, yes, you can replace a toilet without replacing the floor, assuming the original toilet was properly fitted and sanitary.
Place the first plank with the tongue side towards the wall, being sure to allow 1/8" for expansion. We recommend cutting off the tongue on this first row to avoid any problem with the expansion gap. Insert the second plank into the first at an angle pressing the short ends together; then press it down.