Toilet bowl

[robbieraven]

Hi all, have had a nasty request, to tile bathroom floor in Black gloss porcelain tiles, 600x300, now the snag is it has to meet an existing tiled hallway so I'll have the cuts governed for me. The customer wants me to cut around the toilet bowl base even though I suggested getting it out. The tiles are 9mm thick and I'm thinking if the tiles meet the base of the toilet it could be an absolute pig to nip around it, if not impossible. As I mentioned the tiles are black so where they meet the white base would have to be incredibly neat, any thoughts? Thanks Rob

 

[Andy Allen]

i would insist on taking the tiolet out with those tiles, in fact i got one coming up in a couple of weeks time, 2 ensuites and a bathroom, with the same tile, told them to get all toilets and basins removed, cutting round a pan with those tiles would be a nightmare...

 

[robbieraven]

Thanks Andy, I will insist on it on this occasion, Black 9mm Porcelian tiles nipped around a bowl could certainly end in tears.

 

[John Benton]

Thanks Andy, I will insist on it on this occasion, Black 9mm Porcelian tiles nipped around a bowl could certainly end in tears.

And it will tears from both parties robbie!!! As Andy says, get them out, the job will be far quicker, you will be happy, the customer will be happy, and the job looks far better finished.

 

[Brian the Tile]

im sorry but we are called tilers for a reason and you cant always just remove the toilet and the sink and the shower tray and the bath and anyting else that might be in the way,as i say im a tiler and thats what i do if if was easy we would all be out off work

 

[glasgow_tiler]

nothing worse than cutting around a toilet pan with the old snips, i duno how many times iv cut my arms trying to get that last wee bit off, if you cant get the pan out just make a templet and it should be slightly easyer unless it works out in the middle:mad2: of a tile lol

 

[John Benton]

im sorry but we are called tilers for a reason and you cant always just remove the toilet and the sink and the shower tray and the bath and anyting else that might be in the way,as i say im a tiler and thats what i do if if was easy we would all be out off work

Sometimes it's not always suitable/possible to have them removed and therefore you have to tile around them. I don't have a problem with that, done it loads of times.

Another reason why you are better removing them is the following:-

You fix the tiles cutting around the pan and pedestal. Fine.

2 weeks later pan gets broken and has to be replaced.

Oh dear can't get another pan with same footprint that the tiler cut the shape around.

If they can be removed, make your life easier.

 

[Andy Allen]

as above i would have no problem cutting round a pan, but in this case 600x300 polished porcelain 9mm thick carrying on from an existing floor so its sods law the tile will fall in the middle of the pan, and splitting a tile will look pants.......you got to know when its best to cut round or take out...

 

[peteablard]

I'm with you John and nearly every time you explain that scenario to the customer they realise that removing it is the best solution

 

[Martino]

Always opt for the best looking job when all is finished......if it looks pants its always your fault!....always!

 

[robbieraven]

Thanks all!

 

[John Benton]

Just use the scenario I described to the customer and they may change their minds, good luck.

 

[robbieraven]

I agree Brian, however in the instance I'm following existing grout lines so have no idea where they will fall and given they are 10mm porcelain black round a white toilet, I'll think removing will provide the best finish in this case.

 

[cam_low]

I always remove, I do it myself and tell the customer that I'm capable so as soon as
the 'ill do it for free' comes along, which I've already included in the price, then they soon see sense.

 

[DHTiling]

And just to add , make sure you are covered on your insurance for plumbing


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AliGage]

I could teach anyone how to isolate, disconnect and lift out a WC in 20 minutes. BS denotes that WC inlets should be fitted with isolators or ballfix valves. Getting over any height difference after tiling is a bit of a head scratcher to start with. But there's so many fittings available now for all sorts of scenarios. It's well worth learning how to do it. The time it takes to disconnect one and reconnect it after is far less compared with cutting tiles around, and as JB said if the pan ever needs changing....

 

[Brian the Tile]

thats all very well and good but what if its old plumbing ,the pipes are all painted up were seen and the others are boxed inso you are unable to move it ,what then please

 

[Peter]

No problem with 600x300 porcelain and as long as you take your time, it'll fit. Worst case scenario you'll have to split at the back of the bowl and have to put a bit of matching grout in.

Agree it's certainly a better finish with it removed but in some cases it's just not viable, particularly if it's soldered pipe with no movement and the wall tiles have been cut round the toilet too. Don't mind removing toilets where there's a service valve but always request a plumber when they've to be turned off at the tank.

 

[AliGage]

1 x Flexible tap connector with isolator will sort out any varied difference after tiling underneath.
1 x Offset pan connector will do the same. Pull out old push in new. If waste goes through the floor, replace with new 90 degree connector, as the original will probably be cut down to fit.

To isolate with no isolator on the feed:

Mains pressure, turn off stop **** and run basin and bath taps to release pressure.
Tank fed water (not that common these days) - again turn main off and run cold bath supplies and flush WC's to release pressure. Likelihood is if the WC's are on tank then the bath water supply will be also.

There are a lot of different scenarios as far as making things fit. But there is parts to combat all scenarios. There's maybe 3 or 4 different ways of plumbing being routed round the home as to how to stop water. Once you've tackled one or two you soon pick it up. But essentially, stop the main and run off water will (eventually) stop feed to the WC so it can be removed.

 

[Andy Allen]

i allways get a plumber to do it, as dave said, shouldn't be touching it if not insured for it...

 

[The D]

If it can’t be taken out I just cut around it
View attachment 46155 View attachment 46157

 

[Andy Tiler]

Very neat Deano !!! 😉

 

[Brian the Tile]

what a nice job deano ,thats tiling for you ,like i said i dont care what anybody else says its not always possible ,and people wont always payup for a plumber and thats what good tiling and being a Tiler is all about

 

[charlie1]

If it can’t be taken out I just cut around it
View attachment 46155 View attachment 46157

Paper template deano? Used to do this all the time untill I got more confident with the plumbing! Profiling on my old plasplugs contractor, the angle of the blade removed enough of the biscuit to give a neat finish....nice work mate!

 

[The D]

All done with tile nippers no wet saw

 

[Peter]

Know how to take things out but often not worth the hassle with the risk of airlocking something when turning a tank off. Cutting round is priced into the job anyway so not really an issue.

Had these to cut round a few months back. Helpful plumber wouldn't take them out. All done by scribing and nipping.

 

[AliGage]

Know how to take things out but often not worth the hassle with the risk of airlocking something when turning a tank off. Cutting round is priced into the job anyway so not really an issue.

Had these to cut round a few months back. Helpful plumber wouldn't take them out. All done by scribing and nipping.

View attachment 46162

Nice!

 

[nybor62]

its all part of the job im afraid , done it so many times, awkward customers who refuse to budge all u can do is advise them of the best method dont mean they will listen im afraid
so get them nips out lol

 

[kilty55]

if it cant come out cut neat round and Silicon finsih with colour matching Silicon to grout looks the best finish if cutting imo