So, does flooring go under the toilet? 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.
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.
Having the tiles go under the toilet, makes it much easier to do repairs or removals. In the event that you choose to replace your toilet, you also wouldn't face the issue of a mismatched tile and toilet bottom.
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.
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.
For floating floors, like loose-lay vinyl sheet or rigid vinyl planks, a vinyl flooring underlayment may be required as a vapor barrier and can also add much-needed cushion and warmth underfoot. You may also want to look for an underlayment designed for moisture mitigation and insulation.
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.
Porcelain tile
If you're looking at bathroom floor tile ideas and you want a wide choice of finishes that are tough, too, you'll likely start with porcelain. 'The “best” flooring material for bathrooms and wet areas is porcelain,' says Jules Archard, London showroom manager for Domus.
Most codes require at least 15 inches (measured from the center of the toilet) from any side wall or obstruction and not closer than 30 inches center to center to any other sanitary fixture. (The NKBA actually recommends 32 inches.) There should be at least 24 inches of clear space in front of a toilet or bidet.
Vinyl tiles do not absorb spills or pet mishaps because they are non-porous. However, in the event of a severe flooding incident, water will seep through the joints or the points where the planks connect as a result of the continuous pressure.
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.
If components require waterproof protection, and the selected vinyl is only water resistant, then a compatible waterproofing system needs to be installed.
Objectively, the answer's “no.” You can have waterproof vinyl without underlayment. But our two cents is to get it anyways. It may be a higher cost, but the benefits of extra moisture protection, sound dampening, and increased flooring longevity will certainly outweigh the cons in the long term.
However, we'd like to offer you the following tips to help you figure out what to do on the renovation day. Normally, luxury vinyl planks should run lengthwise in narrow spaces, such as corridors and hallways. Also, installers usually lay them down parallel to the longest wall.
No. Rigid vinyl planks like Sound-Tec, Studio 12, and Foundations float over minor subfloor imperfections. They mask slight subfloor unevenness. However, because of the precisely milled clip system, a flat substrate is recommended for support.
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.