Toilets - Tile underneath or cut round

[GatesheadCol]

Probably a very daft question but I went to quote on a bathroom floor and the customer is insisting that the tiles gop under the toilet with the toilet sitting on top of them.

My question is - is that right.

Im a bit reluctant to sit a solid toilet on top of solid tiles as movement is inevitable when sitting on the toilet. I have fitted toilets before and always screwed them into the wood floor with a cushion of silicone underneath the pan for movement and tiles up to and round the pan.

What do other tilers do?

Can the tiolet sit on top of the tiles (with said cushion of silicone) or is this really not the best way to do it. I can see the toilet or the tiles cracking one day. My thoughts are Porcelain and tiles together do not go, one will have to give at some stage.

Any views greatly appreciated

 

[Fekin]

Its probably always better to lift the toilet and tile under as it will always give a better looking finish to the job, then drill the tiles and screw down the toilet as normal through the tile into the floorboards as standard.
Just make sure you are getting 100% coverage on your adhesive and it won't be a problem.

 

[simonb43]

Do as fekin says. Always looks better with the toilet on top of the tiles

 

[Dan]

To add to this I used to sit the loo on a bed of silicone rather than screwing it, and often cuting the heads off the scres and silicoing those where they would sit normally, giving the screwed down look.

Although I have cut around them too, some are just not worth moving, you can end up with a plumbing job on your hands lol.

 

[devonmark]

if that is what the customer is insisting on, tell them to arrange the plumber, though you may only be lifting the pan a few mill the pipework may still need to altered

 

[GatesheadCol]

Cheers guys, have already said that I can take it off and tile underneth but if the pipework then doesnt fit I cant fit it back.

Its a fixed pipe so no doubt it wont fit bacak again. Had it been one of those flexible pipes it wouldnt be a problem.

Said Im covered for taking off and putting back but not installing new pipework etc, they are ok with that so happy days I have the job.

 

[Fekin]

Nice one.

 

[DHTiling]

As long as tiles are on solid bed of adhesive then should be no probs....dave....

 

[faithhealer]

Doing similar job myself, like the silicon / cut off screw idea dan. Save me drilling porcelain

 

[jamesy07]

I carry flexi pipe around with me for that very reason, cheaper to buy in bulk just add it to the job if you have to use one

 

[Dave-T]

i'd tile under the toilet every time. It takes so long to get perfect cuts around a toilet, its quicker and gives a much better finish to pull it out and tile under. You dont have to be a plumber to rip a bog and basin out and bung em back in.

 

[GazTech]

To add to this I used to sit the loo on a bed of silicone rather than screwing it, and often cuting the heads off the scres and silicoing those where they would sit normally, giving the screwed down look.

Although I have cut around them too, some are just not worth moving, you can end up with a plumbing job on your hands lol.

cutting heads off the screws....its an old navajo trick :wink_smile:

 

[porridge]

I would always take the pan out and tile underneath, then replace the pan, but then I am a plumber....

As for just bedding the pan on silicone... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO don't do it! The pan MUST be screwed to the floor - that is why it has screw holes in it. I've had to sort out too many pans that have moved and are leaking poo all over the floor because the silicone under them has given way. Its not a pleasant job.

If you are worried about moving the loo and the pipework not being long enough then get yourself a flexi connector - you'll probably need to take the end off the original pipework to get it to fit on, but so long as there is a handy isolation valve its not a problem. A push fit flexi hose will make your life even easier if you are not that confident with the pipework side of things. Failing that call a plumber :wink_smile:

 

[Home Tiler]

nice one porridge...i did wonder about the silicone trick and the screws being cut of....but would "no nails" be a stronger fix ..if you did do it that way?....or am i way of the mark....lol

steve

 

[porridge]

steve, sorry for the delay in replying - Screw the pan down to the tiles. otherwise you might as well show up at the job wearing a stetson and spurs. Trying to stick the pan to the tiles is a cowboy job.

 

[CLAYS TILES]

nice thread boys!
if you think its going to be a problem moving the loo, use a Contour Gauge its a great tool when used right!

 

[brian c]

remove toilet and wash basin tile and refit,just make sure you know where to turn water off.McAlpine do a range of wc connectors available ant plumb canters across uk.

 

[Ric]

would you backscim the tile also to compensate for the weight of the loo?

 

[grumpygrouter]

would you backscim the tile also to compensate for the weight of the loo?

Floor tiling should be solid bed anyway.

Grumpy

 

[jimmy495]

hi if you are putting floor tiles on wayrock sheet would you back skim

 

[DHTiling]

hi if you are putting floor tiles on wayrock sheet would you back skim

use bal fast flex and solid bed trowel//back skim if the tiles back is profiled to gain that solid bed......good luck..........dave..

 

[ryanbrown]

Definetely underneath, unless they want a quick cheap job.
Grout lines around toilets look as bad as grout lines around sockets - without a doubt.