Is it better to tile under or around a toilet?

Author: Kelli Mante  |  Last update: Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Unless you are in a situation where it is impossible to redo the floor tile due to the flange already being put in, never put the tiles below the existing toilet and the flange. Having the tiles go under the toilet makes it much easier to do repairs or removals.

Should I tile under or around the toilet?

Always tile under the wc, if in the furture it needs replacing you will not have a problem replacing the tiles if the wc is a different shape,any plumber should get over this problem,but it should have been pointed out in the first place,this is one thing I always check before starting any work.

Should flooring go under or around toilet?

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.

What is the 3/4/5 rule for tiling?

To get a perfectly square corner, you want to aim for a measurement ratio of 3:4:5. In other words, you want a three-foot length on your straight line, a four-foot length on your perpendicular line, and a five-foot length across. If all three measurements are correct, you'll have a perfectly square corner.

What do you put between a toilet and a tile floor?

I would agree with caulking with silicon around the base to the tile. It secures the base of the toilet to the tile. Lots of toilet flanges are not strong enough to prevent rocking from a heavy user. Silicon is a little bit harder to remove, but well worth having a toilet not rock and breaking its wax ring seal.

How to Tile Around a Toilet with Wickes

Should a toilet be caulked or grouted?

Toilets should be caulked at the floor.

What are the golden rules of tiling?

The golden rule when installing tiles is install on a concrete floor where possible and always ensure it's level by applying a levelling compound beforehand – watch this video to find out exactly how.

What is the easiest tile to install in a bathroom?

Vinyl is the easiest flooring to install in a bathroom. It is budget-friendly, durable and low maintenance. It comes in a variety of colors and designs. Ceramic tiles are budget-friendly and easy to install.

Should you put flooring down before a toilet?

Professional contractors generally recommend installing new flooring before placing the toilet. This approach creates a cleaner, more polished look and helps prevent future maintenance issues.

What goes between toilet and floor?

The toilet flange or toilet floor flange is located between the floor and the bottom of the toilet. Also known as a closet flange, this fitting connects to the house drain pipe and allows you to secure the toilet to the floor with bolts and nuts.

Which way should I lay my bathroom floor tiles?

Guided by light. The direction of your floor plays a huge role in its appearance. As a rule of thumb lay your floor in the same direction as the main light source, and in the same line as its main entrances. If there are multiple doors and windows pick what is easiest to install.

Should you caulk around a toilet flange?

According to the International Plumbing Code (2012 edition) and the Uniform Plumbing Code (2009 edition), sealing the joint where fixtures meet the floor is required. Failing to caulk your toilet could result in noncompliance with these codes, which may lead to issues during home inspections or resale.

What is the 3/4/5 squaring method?

The perfect square! If you want to check or lay out the squarity (tm) of something, measure 3' along one length, measure 4' along the (hopefully square) perpendicular line length, and if if those two points are 5' from each other, its square!

What is the 10 8 10 rule?

The principle suggests that the top 10% are inherently motivated and must be empowered to role model top behaviors, while the bottom 10% should be neutralized—and then the majority 80% can follow the top leads.

What is the rule of 10 8 6 4 2?

This is an arithmetic sequence since there is a common difference between each term. In this case, adding −2 to the previous term in the sequence gives the next term.

What is the 3 4 5 method for tile?

Starting at one point on the baseline, measure and mark 3 feet (or another unit) along it. From that same starting point, measure 4 feet perpendicular to the baseline and mark this point as well. Measure between the two points you just marked. If the distance is 5 feet, your lines form a perfect 90-degree angle.

What is the blank tile rule?

Blanks: The two blank tiles may be used as any letters. When playing a blank, you must state which letter it represents. It remains that letter for the rest of the game.

How do you avoid common mistakes in tile?

Whether you're tiling a floor, shower, or fireplace, not preparing the surface is one of the quickest ways to doom the final product. You could end up with crooked tiles, cracks, and lippage. Always make sure that the surface is level and smooth. If necessary, fill in any gaps and sand down bumps or ridges.

Should I tile under my toilet?

Toilet manufacturers have weighed in on this discussion to recommend that you place tiles beneath the toilet flange. What they recommend is to put the flange on top of the tile, ensuring that the bottom of the flange touches the surface of the tile.

Does a toilet need to be screwed to the floor?

Your toilet should be fixed to the floor using several bolts.

What do you put under a toilet to level it?

Add stainless steel washers or shims to the bottom of your toilet. Wedge a few shims or washers in between the floor and bottom of the toilet to make your toilet even and prevent rocking. Try adding 1 or 2 first, then add more later on if the ones you've added don't do the trick.

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