I‘m installing new tile in my bathroom and had a few questions.1. I understand that I‘m supposed to remove the toilet prior to laying the tile. So I remove the toilet, lay new tile, and then put the toilet on top of the tile? Does this mean that the toilet will sit on the tile? If so, won‘t there be a very little gap where the tile and toilet meet? Are you supposed to seal this gap? Or, do you cut the tile around the shape of the bottom of the toilet and tile around it?2. Same question with the vanity. I‘m replacing my old vanity. Do I have to remove the old vanity, lay tile in the whole area where the old vanity was, and then install the new vanity on top of the tile? Again, what about the small gap? Does it need to be sealed? What do you seal it with?3. How do you remove the old vanity? Do you simply disconnect the plumbing, remove the screws holding it to the wall, and pry it from the wall?Any comments, suggestions, or advice are appreciated.
As far as the toilet, remove the toilet and tile as close to the flange as possible. You will need to make a few cuts in your tile. When it is time to reinstall the toilet use two wax rings one with the plastic flange and one without. When you are done but a small bead of caulk around the base of the toilet and tile. As for your vanity, you can do it either way. You can install it first and then after tiling install a small shoe molding around the base. If you tile first you will still need a shoe molding. In the bath, it is a good idea to caulk all the baseboards and around cabinets so in the event you ever get water on the floor it doesn't seep under the floor.
I should point out, that it is not recommended to caulk around the base of the toilet. this is because, if the wax seal were ever to start leaking, the caulk would contain it under the toilet and you would never know it was leaking until the floor rotted and you and the toilet fall through into the living room. No body wants to see that!!
True enough, you can tile around your vanity and not under it. However, if you ever want to replace the vanity, or change to a pedestal sink, you will find yourself with a problem. I recommend that you do a complete floor tiling job instead of trying to keep a stack of extra tiles in your garage in case this remodel situation occurs. I removed my old vanity by taking out the contents, removing any doors or drawers to gain access to the area under the sink. You can turn off the water supply valves, disconnect the water from the sink, undo the plumbing drain. If it is a popup sink stopper, you can unscrew the arm at the bottom also. If you are replacing the vanity, I estimate you will also replace the sink faucet set, which is what we are doing, so I was not too concerned about saving all the parts. BUT, put all of them in a bag so you can at least donate a used complete faucet set to Habitat's RESTORE. With the sink out of the way, now disengage the vanity from the wall. There is usually a couple of heavy lag bolts/screws which will require a wrench and not a screw driver to remove. once they are removed, you are almost there. Now take loose the shoe molding which covers the seam where vanity sits on the floor. If there is a backsplash , try to just slide the vanity away from it so it will not be broken. Sometimes all that secures the backsplash to the vanity is some silicone, and it can be cut with a razor knife inserted between the vanity top and the backsplash. I am no way a plumber, but I do very well at demolition of different home features. Take your time, and don't give up. You want to leave the wall intact, and the plumbing connections reusable. I ended up stuffing an old sock in the drain after I removed the P-trap, wrapping the end around the pipe stub. That keeps any stray odors out of the house.
Its best to have the floor go under the vanity, and never tile around a toilet it will look terrible.. 1. Remove toilet by turning off water valve, disconnecting supply line and unscrewing flange bolts. 2. Remove vanity by turning off water valves, disconnecting supply lines and drain. This can be done with a channel lock wrench. Then unscrew any screws that are holding it into wall. 3. Tile the floor. As for the closet flange for the toilet, ideally you want it on top of your floor. You may be able to unscrew it and raise it up a half inch or so. If not, tile around it and use a double wax ring when you reset the toilet. 4. Reset vanity and reconnect supply and drain lines
