When renovating your bathroom, one of the most important decisions is tiling around or under the toilet. It might seem like a small detail, but this choice can significantly impact your bathroom floor’s final appearance, functionality, and longevity.
Many DIY renovators and even some professionals grapple with this question. To provide a clear answer, we’ll explore both options, assess their benefits and drawbacks, and give you the guidance you need to make an informed decision for your project.
Let’s get straight to the point
When renovating your bathroom, it’s better to tile under the toilet rather than around it. Tiling around the toilet often leads to uneven edges, unsightly gaps, and potential issues when replacing the toilet.
In contrast, tiling under the toilet offers a cleaner, more professional look and better water protection, making future toilet replacements easier. While it requires removing the toilet temporarily, the benefits far outweigh the effort.
A step-by-step guide is provided to help you tile under the toilet for a seamless and durable bathroom floor.
Why You Should Not Tile Around A Toilet?
Some DIY enthusiasts might think leaving the toilet in place and tile around it is easier. While this may seem like a convenient shortcut, tiling around the toilet is often more complicated than it appears and can lead to several undesirable outcomes.
1. Appearance Issues
The biggest downside of tiling around the toilet is the potential for unsightly gaps and uneven edges. Tiles are difficult to cut perfectly around curved surfaces, especially the toilet base, which often has intricate shapes and rounded edges.
Even experienced tilers find it challenging to achieve a perfect fit when cutting tiles around the toilet base. The result is usually uneven gaps that must be filled with caulk or grout.
While these fillers can hide imperfections to some extent, they rarely blend seamlessly with the rest of the tile work. A thick, uneven layer of caulk around the toilet base will stand out, detracting from the clean, professional appearance you’re aiming for in your bathroom renovation.
Visitors may quickly notice these imperfections, which can make your bathroom look unfinished or poorly executed.
2. Difficulty Of Cutting Tiles
Cutting tiles to fit around the toilet base is difficult and time-consuming. The base of most toilets is not a simple, flat surface; it has multiple curves and angles that need to be accounted for when cutting the tiles.
Even with advanced tile-cutting tools, achieving a snug fit is complex. Sometimes, mistakes are made during cutting, leading to wasted materials and frustration.
Cutting tiles around the toilet can also increase the time required to complete the renovation. What might seem like a shortcut initially becomes time-consuming, making tiling around the toilet less efficient than tiling underneath it.
3. Future Replacement Problems
One of the most significant drawbacks of tiling around the toilet is the potential for problems when replacing it. Manufacturers produce toilets in various shapes and sizes, and it’s highly unlikely that your future toilet will have the same footprint as your current one.
If you tile around the existing toilet, the new toilet might leave exposed gaps around the base, or worse, it may not fit. In the worst-case scenario, you may be forced to redo the entire floor if you cannot find a toilet that fits perfectly into the space left by the previous one.
Tiling under the toilet from the outset avoids this issue, giving you flexibility for future replacements without worrying about mismatched flooring.
Why Tiling Under The Toilet Is The Best Option
Tiling under the toilet is preferred for most professional tilers and bathroom renovators. It offers several distinct advantages that outweigh the extra effort required to temporarily remove the toilet.
Let’s break down the benefits of tiling under the toilet and why it leads to a better outcome in your bathroom renovation.
1. A Clean, Professional Finish
The aesthetic benefit is one of the biggest reasons to tile under the toilet. Removing the toilet before tiling eliminates the need to cut around its base, resulting in a smooth, seamless finish across the entire bathroom floor.
This method ensures that the tiles are laid evenly and the toilet is reinstalled on top of the tile without needing visible caulking or grout to fill in gaps. This clean, professional look is especially important to impress visitors or potential homebuyers.
The floor will look more polished and complete, enhancing the overall appearance of your bathroom renovation.
2. Improved Seal And Water Protection
Tiling under the toilet provides an added layer of protection against moisture damage. Bathrooms are naturally prone to moisture and spills, and a poor seal around the toilet can lead to leaks and long-term water damage.
By tiling under the toilet, you create a continuous barrier of tile that extends beneath the fixture. This barrier helps protect the subfloor from any moisture that may escape from the toilet base, particularly if the sealant around the toilet wears out over time.
In addition, because the tiles extend under the toilet, mould or water damage around the base of the fixture is less likely. This is particularly important for preventing long-term issues that could lead to costly repairs down the line.
3. Easier Toilet Replacement In The Future
Tiling under the toilet simplifies any future replacement of the fixture. If your toilet ever needs to be replaced due to malfunction, wear and tear, or a desire to upgrade, you can do so without worrying about whether the new toilet will fit properly on the floor.
The tiles will already be in place, providing a solid foundation for any toilet you choose. This also means that you can replace the toilet without redoing the flooring, saving time and money in the future.
How To Tile Under A Toilet: Step-By-Step Guide
If you’ve decided to tile under your toilet, follow these simple steps to ensure a smooth process and a professional result.
Step 1: Shut Off The Water Supply
Turn off the water supply before you start any work on the toilet. Most toilets have a shut-off valve located near the base. Turn this valve off and flush the toilet to drain any water remaining in the tank and bowl. This prevents leaks and makes the removal process much easier.
Step 2: Remove The Toilet
First, to remove the toilet, unscrew the retaining bolts that secure it to the floor. Once the bolts are removed, disconnect the water supply line.
Carefully lift the toilet off the floor and set it aside. Be cautious, as there may still be some residual water in the toilet, so placing it on a towel or in a safe area like the bathtub is best.
Step 3: Remove The Wax Sealing Ring
Beneath the toilet, you’ll find a wax ring that seals the toilet to the drainpipe. This wax ring should be removed and discarded, as you must replace it with a new one when reinstalling the toilet.
Removing the wax ring is straightforward – simply use a scraper to lift it off the floor.
Step 4: Clean The Floor
Before laying any tiles, ensure the floor is clean and debris-free. Sweep or vacuum the area; if necessary, use a damp cloth to wipe away any dust.
This ensures that the tile adhesive will bond properly to the subfloor.
Step 5: Lay The Tile
Begin laying the tiles across the bathroom floor, ensuring they extend up to the toilet flange (the pipe fitting connecting the toilet to the drainage system). Use a tile cutter to create precise cuts around the flange, leaving no more than a quarter-inch gap.
Dry-fit the tiles before applying adhesive to ensure they align correctly.
Step 6: Apply Adhesive And Grout
Once you’re satisfied with the tile arrangement, apply adhesive and secure the tiles. Allow the adhesive to dry fully before proceeding to the next step.
After the tiles have set, apply grout between them, but leave the gap around the flange free of grout to allow for proper toilet installation.
Step 7: Replace The Wax Ring And Reinstall The Toilet
With the tiles in place, it’s time to reinstall the toilet. Start by placing a new wax ring around the toilet’s flange to ensure a tight seal.
Then, carefully lower the toilet onto the flange, ensuring it sits evenly on the newly tiled floor. Secure the toilet with the retaining bolts.
Step 8: Reconnect The Water Supply
Finally, reconnect the water supply line to the toilet and turn the valve back on. Test the toilet by flushing it a few times to ensure everything is working correctly and there are no leaks.
Conclusion
Tiling under the toilet is the clear winner when deciding whether to tile around or under a toilet. While it may require more effort upfront, the long-term benefits outweigh the inconvenience of temporarily removing the toilet.
Tiling under the toilet provides a clean, professional finish, offers better protection against moisture, and makes future replacements significantly easier. By following the best practices for tiling under a toilet, you’ll achieve a bathroom renovation that looks great and stands the test of time.
Always use tile under the toilet for the best results – it’s the key to a flawless and long-lasting bathroom floor.
FAQs
Should I Tile Around Or Under A Toilet?
It’s generally recommended to tile under the toilet for a cleaner finish, better stability, and easier future maintenance or toilet replacement.
What Are The Benefits Of Tiling Under The Toilet?
Tiling under the toilet ensures a seamless look, prevents water from seeping into the subfloor, and avoids the need for cutting tiles to fit around the toilet base.
Can I Tile Around The Toilet Instead Of Under It?
While tiling around the toilet is possible, it requires precise cuts and may leave gaps or an uneven finish. It’s often chosen in retrofitting projects to save time.
How Do I Prepare The Area If Tiling Under The Toilet?
Remove the toilet and properly prepare the subfloor. Lay the tiles evenly, ensuring the flange remains at the right height for a secure and watertight seal.
What If My Toilet Is Already Installed And I Don’t Want To Remove It?
You can tile around the toilet, but use a template for precise cuts and seal the gaps with caulk to prevent water infiltration and maintain a polished look.
