Home > categories > Construction & Real Estate > Tile > Bathroom needs floor tile.?
Question:

Bathroom needs floor tile.?

MyMy bathroom. which is about 75 square feet has a carpet and I want to change it to tile. The only utility is a toilet.How do I handle the toilet? If I use ceramic tile, does the toilet sit on the ceramic tile and does that cause a problem with breaking the tile?What do you recommend that is practical, easy to install, and still functional?

Answer:

If you are not totally convinced that you want ceramic tile take a look at a flooring called Traffic Master. Last spring we put it in 2 of our bathrooms and it looks great! It is 3 or 4 times thicker than normal vinyl and very durable and quite inexpensive comparatively to tile or other flooring. It comes in 1 foot by 3 foot sections, and is a peel and stick tongue and groove type of installation. You may be set on tile, but do yourself a favor and check it out at Home Depot before you decide. And as an added bonus, you won't need to add the toilet extension but I highly recommend that do put in a new wax ring. Good luck!
Yes you ll have to pull the stool up and depending on what you sub flooring is now will depend how you treat the stool and wax ring and flange later. There isn t a stock answer with the info you gave. Some times the flange is raised enough to accommodate raising the floor with tile and a 1/2 cement board( if needed). If the flooring is on a slab them the tile will go right up to the flange and stool set atop with a normal or extra thick ring. In 20+ years I ve never had a tile crack under a stool. As long as there is the correct amount of thin set under the tile and any subflooring you add is properly put down,it ll be fine. Stools don t have to be tight tight bolted down just firmly snugged up . Almost ( almost ) any tile will work in a bathroom situation , but get a slip resistant type, one with at least a class III rating is my recommendation Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar and check my qualifications there. GL
..before you remove the toilet (after you pull up the carpet) draw a pencil outline around the base of the toilet. Your tile cuts don't have to be exact, as long as you get - pretty close to the drain. fill in the gap between the tile and the closet (toilet) flange with grout. - follow the other advice about getting a new wax seal etc. The people at whatever hardware store you pick can help you get what you need.
First remove the toilet. There is two screws holding it down, remove them. Then remove the toilet and the rug. What is underneath the carpet? If you have cement, you can tile over cement if its not damaged. If your have wood, you can install cement board using the cement screws that id made for this type of installation. Never use sheet rock screws. Use thin-set modified mortar to install floor tiles, do not use adhesive glue. I would recommend 8 x 8 tile but no bigger than 13 x 13 tile. Spread the thin-set onto the floor evenly using a spreader with 3/8 space. Spread an area enough to cover two or three tiles. Install two or three at a time and level them off, then continue the process. Let dry overnight and reinstall toilet, I would change the johnny ring and new screws.
You need to remove the toilet-it will give you a much better job as you will never make good cuts around it..The toilet wont crack your tiles..and a deep wax seal should work fine.After you pull that carpet I strongly suggest putting down wire mesh, or Hardi-Backer,,I dont care what some thin-set makers claim--I dont believe in putting tiles right on the wood.

Share to: