Whether you are installing vinyl, laminate, or any other type of flooring, it is advisable to install it under the toilet. This makes installation easy, as you will not go through the hassle of cutting the edges of your flooring to fit around your toilet.
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.
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.
We recommend that the toilet bowl be placed on top of the tiles on a finished floor. That's the long and short of it, unless you used a thin material for your tile, like vinyl.
There's no reason you can't install vinyl plank under a toilet. The only thing to keep in mind is that if a toilet isn't perfectly flush (see what we did there?) with the surrounding floor, it could wobble.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Traditional Laminate Flooring Is Not Water Proof
Water resistance should not be confused with waterproof. Waterproof means water will not be able to permeate the surface of the object. While water resistant means the object will resist, though does not entirely prevent the penetration of water.
Wax ring: Also known as the toilet bowl gasket or toilet seal, the wax ring secures the base of the toilet to the flange. Toilet bolts and covers: Bolts joined to the flange help keep the toilet securely attached to the floor. The bolts usually have a cover that matches the toilet.
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.
Underlayment does two things that are critical to a successful laminate flooring installation:1. Underlayment takes out any minor deviations in the subfloor. 2. Underlayment delivers superior acoustical performance.
Laminate underlayment is a soft pad that is installed under laminate flooring. The underlayment helps the laminate planks lay smoother, connect better, and for the flooring to feel slightly softer underfoot.
They often ask if they should remove the toilet before installing a new bathroom floor. While it is possible to install a new linoleum or ceramic tile floor without removing the toilet, it is not recommended and actually can increase the labor involved in the project.
While costs are similar, the value of premium vinyl far exceeds that of laminate based on quality and value. Unlike laminate, premium vinyl is durable and stable, resistant to moisture and climate, and is easy to install and maintain. Laminate is restricted to light traffic and low moisture applications.
The best way to run flooring in your bathroom can depend on the size and shape of the space. For narrow or smaller bathrooms, you could benefit from placements like diagonal or horizontal to open up the space and make it feel larger and airier.