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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Generally, flooring contractors prefer that the cabinets go in first so that there is less possibility of the floor getting scratched. Cabinet installers like the floor to be in place so that the cutting and dust from the floor installation will not damage the vanity.
Porcelain tile
'The “best” flooring material for bathrooms and wet areas is porcelain,' says Jules Archard, London showroom manager for Domus. 'Hardwearing, non-porous and available in any color, pattern and material imitation, porcelain provides an incredible level of design detail.
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.
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.
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 terms of withstanding moisture and humidity, luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), vinyl roll, and porcelain or ceramic tile are the best bathroom flooring options. Each of these flooring options is water-resistant and able to withstand humidity and temperature changes in a bathroom.
Completely Waterproof - A must for almost any space, bathroom and wet room vinyl flooring is completely waterproof and, if installed professionally, will easily cope with moist environments and won't deteriorate if exposed to water regularly.
Heavy cabinets, vanities, islands, and such, should never be installed on top of LooseLay flooring with limited adhesive. Instead, we recommend you install vinyl flooring next to cabinets. Pro Tip: Install the cabinets first if you believe the cabinets will remain a fixture for years longer than the flooring.
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.
Protect against floor scratches, cracks, stains and damage
If the flooring is placed before the bathtub, it can lead to scratching or damaging the floor with trying to position a heavy object like a bathtub, so you can simply place it first and add the flooring and walling to make it more convenient.
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.
Caulk prevents water from seeping under the toilet.
Water splashed out of a shower or bathtub, for example, is unable to seep under the toilet if it is properly sealed to the floor. If there is no caulk, any water that creeps underneath the toilet can remain undisturbed for some time.
While there are several luxury vinyl flooring patterns to choose from, offset, diagonal, and herringbone are some of the most popular pattern options. Offset, or running bond, is the most common universal plank tile pattern where the pattern is staggered or offset by half of the plank's width.
Keeping the direction of the vinyl perpendicular to stairsteps and other features can help bring the room together in a cohesive design. It can also make fitting and cuts easier to achieve. On the other hand, pointing the direction of the vinyl planks toward room features like a fireplace can focus attention on it.