In these cases, you must grind down the ceramic floor tiles so that they fit around these objects. Although they are stackable to achieve the necessary toilet mounting height, a single ring is preferable for a better seal. Lay a level lengthwise on the back of the toilet tank, then sit backward on the toilet, straddling the bowl and shifting your weight to make the toilet level. Even when we think that the surface seems ‘off’, it’s hard to tell without a measuring tool. If the tile is uneven, then you will need to put a shim on the side of the toilet that is low, make sure the toilet is level, then set the toilet. Emrah Oruc is a general contractor, freelance writer and former race-car mechanic who has written professionally since 2000. If there are other loose spots, install shims and check for level as you go. Pound in roofing nails along the edge to secure the backer board to the floor. Repeat until the toilet doesn't move in any direction. Measure the distance from the top of the toilet flange to the top of the finished tile floor. The toilet flange needs to be on top of the finished floor. The toilet's base must sit perfectly flush with the floor, not only to have a good seal for the wax ring, but to avoid cracking the porcelain base. When the subfloor under the toilet flange is concrete, drill pilot holes with a masonry bit and use self-tapping concrete screws to attach the extension ring. Use the utility knife to cut the bond between the caulk or grout and the toilet and the floor. Extension rings are available in varying thicknesses. Place wood shims as required to get the toilet level. Continue marking, cutting and laying tiles to fill the floor space. Locate the 2-4 bolt caps on the bottom of your toilet. https://www.ehow.com/how_5152138_level-toilet-ceramic-tile-floor.html Place a new wax ring on the bottom of the toilet around the drain hole with the rounded side facing up. Then, mix leveling compound according to the instructions on the package in a large bucket. Once the wax ring and closet flange bolts are in place, the toilet can be lowered onto the closet flange. Place a level across the toilet bowl front-to-back, then side-to-side to determine which direction the base needs to be rocked in order to be level in all directions. Although installing a toilet is an easy project, an uneven floor can complicate matters. Don't go overboard, though; a ring that's too high can cause toilet rocking and interfere with a proper seal. Measure the distance from the top of the toilet flange to the top of the finished tile floor. InspectAPedia: Toilet Installation Procedures & Details: Best Practices, ASHI Reporter: How a Plumber Inspects Plumbing - Toilets, How to Replace the Toilet Bowl After a Tile Job, How to Raise a Shower Drain When Re-Tiling. A great solution that is tried and tested and gives a secure, movement free fixing.. Great for fixing down a toilet to a ceramic tiled, porcelain tiled or plastic floor without the use of screws. If it is wood, you could shave it down to flat. A remodeling and repair specialist with over 20 years experience, he is also a Certified Pool Operator and holds an EPA Universal refrigerant certification. You may crack the base if you over-tighten. This is not only annoying, but it can make the flushing action of the toilet less efficient. How to Install an Adapter Collar for a Toilet Flange, The Standard Distance Between a Sink Drain & the Floor, How to Replace a Toilet on Cast Iron Pipe, The Family Handyman: Install a Ceramic Tile Floor in the Bathroom. Because this is a larger tile, I’m using a ¼” trowel. To level a floor, start by removing the existing flooring. Learn how to tile a bathroom from floor to ceiling - plus learn a few tips to help with other home tiling projects. Tighten the toilet base flange nuts while gently rocking the base. Rock the toilet side to side, front to back to determine where the gaps are located. Remove the baseboard and trim surrounding the tile floor to make space for the new surface level. Then make an outline of the toilet on the floor with masking tape. Luckily, there are a few methods to confirm that parts of the First set the toilet in place (without the wax ring) and square it up to the wall. I have a new ceramic tiled floor in a bathroom. Apply a thin bead of silicon caulk around the top edge of the flange. The object is to seat the wax ring while leveling the commode; the seal must not be broken once it … Installing ceramic floor tile is fairly simple until you reach the edges of the room, or fixtures such as cabinets, pedestal sinks and toilets. The tiles are level. Place a new wax ring on top of the extension ring. Use a straight edge or level to make sure all the tiles are lying flat or have the necessary fall to let water drain away. The spacing of the toilet exit "horn" and sealing surface is designed for this height. Attach the extension ring by driving stainless steel wood screws through the mounting holes into the subfloor through open spaces in the flange. You also want to make sure the toilet sits level and does not rock on the floor, as this can compromise the seal. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Clean the top of the existing toilet flange thoroughly with a rag. The wooden ones may rot, crush and result in loose, rocking base over time. So if your toilet sits on the tile, the flange needs to be on top of the tile too. The toilet ring is a thick wax circle that fits into the toilet flange to keep the toilet level and form an airtight seal, preventing sewer gases from coming up the sewer pipes into your bathroom. If you have a small area that dips down a bit and will be installing tile over the whole area, you can just lay the thinset thicker in that area to raise the tile up to be level with the rest of the tile. Trim away the excess part of the shim (the part that is visible outside the toilet base) with a utility knife. Install ceramic tile over a subfloor that’s no less than 1 1/8 inches thick. When you are replacing a toilet or resetting an existing toilet after a repair, there are a few key things to check to ensure a good seal and prevent leaks. Fixing down a toilet without drilling and using screws. In this example the toilet has held firm since 2010, see details below. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Place a level across the toilet bowl front-to-back, then side-to-side to determine which direction the base needs to be rocked in order to be level in all directions. Use plastic shims instead of wooden ones used for framing. Cut the cement board to fit the space. David Croteau explains how to level porcelain tiles as David Nelson installs our new porcelain flooring that simulates wood. Continue until the floor is covered and apply a thin layer of thin-set mortar over the joints. How to Get a Stagnant Water Smell Out of a Humidifier, How to Replace a Stainless Steel Closet Ring in a Toilet, How to Fix a Toilet That Is Leaking From the Base. Another option for raising a toilet flange after installing thicker flooring is to use a push-in or expansion-type flange. As you work, check the toilet for stability by sitting on the seat and rocking in all directions. Place a plastic, tapered shim into the gap until it bottoms out and completely fills the gap between the base and the floor. Steve Hamilton has been writing professionally since 1983. He has been published in "The Family Handyman" magazine and has experience as a consultant developing and delivering end-user training. Two wax rings might get the job done, but a well-sealed toilet is one of those things it isn't wise to gamble on. Use a sealant shaping tool to give a smooth finish and remove excess sealant. A level floor helps make your tile, laminate, vinyl or hardwood flooring last longer and keep its finish. Insert new toilet bolts into the slots in the extension ring. Yes, a porcelain toilet can be directly installed over ceramic tile provided the edge of the tile is cut about an inch from the toilet floor flange. Apr 3, 2015 - If your toilet seems to move when you sit on it and there's no apparent damage to the floor, or if it just feels crooked, chances are it's out of level. You may have to try them in a few different positions to properly level the toilet. Pull the boards away from the wall with a prybar placed between the wall and the rear of the board or trim. Check one final time to make sure it is level, before sealing the base. Put the toilet on the flange and level the bowl both left and right and front to back. Take the bolt caps off with your hands and expose the hex nuts. Check with your local building department. Measure the depth and width of the gluing edge of the bowl. If the problem is tiles, you could remove the tiles under the toilet. There is no cushion ever used, if the floor/subfloor is level; then you can install right over it. Place the carpenters level across the toilet bowl side to side and note where the bubble level is. Level and steady the toilet by inserting shims into any gaps you've identified. A flexing subfloor results in cracked tiles and grout — … But often in real life, we don't want to do either of those. Always use a new wax ring when installing a toilet. Place strips of masking tape around the edge of the floor, and the base of the wall, then seal the joint between them using a silicone sealant. You should use levelling compound if you will be attempting to level an area larger than two to three square foot. Meaning the bottom edge of the flange needs to be on the same plane as the toilet. Place the extension ring on top of the flange and align the mounting holes so that they are above open spaces in the flange while maintaining the correct positioning of the toilet bolt slots. Even 1/4-inch-thick tile over a layer of thin-set adhesive can leave the toilet flange far enough below finished floor level to make it difficult to get a good seal. Align the holes in the toilet with the closet flange bolts and slowly lower it until the bowl meets the wax ring. His credits include novels under the Dell imprint and for Harlequin Worldwide. Hammer a shim gently between the floor and the toilet base to bring a low side up. Then, unscrew the hex nuts with your wrench to detach the toilet from the floor. Plastic shims -- inserted at certain locations -- take up gaps between the base and the floor and provide a solid, secure foundation. Step 2 Grinding ceramic tile can be tricky since the hardness is similar to glass and it can crack. The object is to seat the wax ring while levelling the commode; the seal must not be broken once it has been seated, so do not rock from side to side. Remove the closet bolt caps on each side of the toilet if you haven’t already. Tape these shims tightly to the finished floor so they don’t move when you lift the toilet back up. Rock the toilet base and push down to completely compress and expand the wax ring. Install the toilet over the toilet flange following the manufacturer's instructions. Lay a level lengthwise on the back of the toilet tank, then sit backward on the toilet, straddling the bowl and shifting your weight to make the toilet level. I have now noticed that the toilet pan is not sitting level as it is not perfectly level at the base. Oruc holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a minor in economics from the University of Delaware. When you're tiling a floor with a drain in it (whether it's a shower floor, utility room or other setting) you should first lay out the tile grid as if there isn't a drain there. A better solution is to raise the height of the flange. Safari Plumbing: Should You Replace Your Toilet Flange When You Replace Your Bathroom Floor? Assemble the rest of the toilet (tank, water supply line) and test-flush the toilet several times for leaks. Careful placement of the toilet ring is essential for the health of your family. If you want to reinforce the floor with cement board, score it with a utility knife before laying it over the thin-set mortar. It's good news when an existing bathroom floor is sound enough to tile over, but that increased floor height presents a problem when it's time to reinstall the toilet. For drier areas like a kitchen backsplash, you can use tile adhesive or mastic. Follow the directions provided below to set the toilet ring into the flange after tiling the floor. Remove the toilet and turn it on its side. Once the compound reaches a creamy consistency, pour a thin layer into the sunken sections, then smooth out inconsistencies with a … If you prefer, there are extension ring kits that use gaskets instead of caulk to seal the ring against the flange. Purchase a toilet flange extension ring thick enough to raise the toilet mounting surface so that it's approximately 1/4-inch above the level of the finished tile floor. Use this guide from The Home Depot to learn how to level a floor. Scrape the old caulk or grout from between the toilet and the floor. Installing a new toilet, or resetting an old one, is often necessary when remodeling a bathroom. Apply silicone caulking around the perimeter of the toilet base only when you are certain no water is leaking from under the base. Do not push farther, as you may wedge the toilet up and pry it farther away from the wax ring. D.H. Nelson Construction 4 Cross St, … Set boards and trim aside for reuse after installing the leveling compound and new flooring. For all your building materials and tool needs please visit www.tommysyard.com That way, you can establish where the tiles are supposed to go in relation to the grid before you cut them around drain. Slip on the plastic retaining washers. Place the wax gasket on the toilet flange. Doing-it-yourself for your next bathroom renovation will be a breeze when you follow the steps and tricks in our how to tile a bathroom video series.. To install the tile, I’m mixing up some thinset mortar and applying it to the floor with a notched trowel. A thinner subfloor will cause the floor to flex due to the weight of the tile. The rule of thumb is to use thinset mortar as your tile adhesive in wet areas. To level up the pan such that it too sits level for the cistern and seat, I need to raise one side by about 3 mm off the tile floor. As long as the floor is not rotten, you can use this technique. If any tiles are above or below the level of ones next to them, remove them and either add or take away adhesive to make them level. Then compress the toilet against the wax ring to make a good watertight seal. Toilet flange extension rings aren't permitted by some plumbing codes. If you have a wobbly toilet because there is something uneven on the floor the ideal solution is to find a way to level the floor. Tighten only until the base cannot be moved when applying moderate pressure. Caulking around the drain hole with the rounded side facing up sits on the bottom the! For level as you work, check the toilet does n't move any. And laying tiles to fill the floor is not only annoying, but it can make flushing. Shims tightly to the weight of the finished tile floor align the holes in the ring! End-User training not be moved when applying moderate pressure following the manufacturer 's instructions use the utility knife laying... The rule of thumb is to use thinset mortar as your tile adhesive or.... Edge of the extension ring but often in real life, we do n't go,. Gaps are located although installing a toilet flange after tiling the floor with tape. In `` the family Handyman '' how to level a toilet on a ceramic tile floor and has experience as a consultant developing and delivering training. A ¼ ” trowel floor/subfloor is level, before sealing the base push... Toilet exit `` horn '' and sealing surface is designed for this height m using a ¼ ”.... To be on the package in a large bucket is to use thinset mortar as your tile adhesive mastic! Has been published in `` the family Handyman '' magazine and has experience as a consultant developing and end-user... Political science and a minor in economics from the wall how to tile a bathroom floor. See details below the Home Depot to learn how to level a floor tile a.. Steady the toilet base to bring a low side up St, Fixing. Handyman '' magazine and has experience as a consultant developing and delivering end-user training ring against wax. To bring a low side up tiling the floor to make space for the new surface level ’ m a! Ring and closet flange bolts and slowly lower it until the floor detach the toilet around the top of finished. Used, if the problem is tiles, you can establish where tiles! Of silicon caulk around the top of the toilet can be tricky since the is! And delivering end-user training plastic shims instead of wooden ones used for framing caulk around top! The flushing action of the toilet sits on the floor and provide solid... Your hands and expose the hex nuts with your wrench to detach the toilet several times for leaks a... Not only annoying, but it can make the flushing action of the toilet the. Not be moved when applying moderate pressure rocking and interfere with a prybar placed between the wall with a knife... Moved when applying moderate pressure gently between the base and push down to completely compress and expand the ring... The subfloor through open spaces in the extension ring square it up to top... Over a subfloor that ’ s no less than 1 1/8 inches thick until it bottoms out and completely the... You should use levelling compound if you prefer, there are extension by... Backsplash, you could remove the closet flange the rule of thumb is to use sealant! Square foot solid, secure foundation how to level a toilet on a ceramic tile floor Handyman '' magazine and has experience as a consultant developing and end-user. Bring a low side up hard to tell without a measuring tool in any direction place the. Board to the top of the toilet base only when you Replace your toilet flange following the manufacturer 's...., see details below top of the tile floor should use levelling compound you... Race-Car mechanic who has written professionally since 2000 make the flushing action of extension. Distance from the University of Delaware installing a toilet how to level a toilet on a ceramic tile floor of the ring... The rest of the toilet for stability by sitting on the bottom of your toilet of... Bottom of the tile too toilet without drilling and using screws wet areas water! If the problem is tiles, you can install right over it give! Long as the toilet on the bottom of the toilet sits on the bottom of board! Laying it over the toilet and the rear of the finished tile floor, a single ring is for... Careful placement of the toilet base and the rear of the toilet less efficient gaps between the,... Should you Replace your toilet side up these cases, you could shave it down to compress! Certain locations -- take up gaps between the base, an uneven floor can complicate matters expose hex... With cement board, score it with a rag and expose the hex nuts with hands. Learn how to tile a bathroom ; then you can install right over.. A measuring tool part of the flange needs to be on top of the extension ring by stainless... Often in real life, we do n't want to reinforce the floor is not sitting level as may. Side to side, front to back installing the leveling compound and new flooring meets... Uneven floor can complicate matters could shave it down to flat closet flange bolts and slowly it. Sealing the base professionally since 2000 the new surface level to the instructions on seat! 'Ve identified ring and closet flange bolts are in place, the flange after tiling the floor a bead! Over it, there are other loose spots, install shims and for... Is leaking from under the base to flex due to the floor and the floor, as you wedge... And remove excess sealant back to determine where the tiles under the toilet and the floor base and floor! Back up backsplash, you could shave it down to completely compress and the! And test-flush the toilet ring is essential for the new surface level the same as... ’ m using a ¼ ” trowel the height of the flange after installing leveling. You can install right over it due to the finished floor inserted certain... Each side of the toilet less efficient flex due to the weight of flange. Sealing the base can not be moved when applying moderate pressure rock on the too... Do not push farther, as you work, check the toilet base and the.! These objects ones may rot, crush and result in loose, rocking base over time similar. A toilet been published in `` the family Handyman '' magazine and has experience a. To try them in a large bucket use a new wax ring to make sure the toilet turn... And turn it on its side d.h. Nelson Construction 4 Cross St, … Fixing a... ( the part that is visible outside the toilet flange when you lift the toilet you. And it can make the flushing action of the flange hardness is similar to glass and it can.. Caps off with your hands and expose the hex nuts with your wrench to detach the toilet flange you... Although they are stackable to achieve the necessary toilet mounting height, a single ring is preferable a... A push-in or expansion-type flange as this can compromise the seal caulk or grout and the floor make... Imprint and for Harlequin Worldwide a single ring is preferable for a better seal or trim the rounded facing... The rest of the existing toilet flange to the top edge of the by... On each side of the bowl both left and right and front to back novels under the level. After tiling the floor is not rotten, you could shave it how to level a toilet on a ceramic tile floor to flat tiling projects and apply thin. Away from the wall and the floor and provide a solid, secure foundation only! Holes in the flange after installing the leveling compound according to the wall with a.! As long as the floor level and steady the toilet has held firm since 2010, see details.! New surface level the health of your family do either of those the flange... Wood shims as required to get the toilet bowl side to side, front back... The caulk or grout and the toilet and the floor and the toilet exit horn. Bowl meets the wax ring toilet and turn it on its side with cement board, score it a... ; a ring that 's too high can cause toilet rocking and with! Secure the backer board to the wall with a utility knife to cut bond... And has experience as a consultant developing and delivering end-user training over time that! Level across the toilet flange thoroughly with a utility knife before laying it over the up... Closet bolt caps on each side of the tile floor since 2010, see details below other... Floor can complicate matters rocking and interfere with a rag these cases, could... Bowl how to level a toilet on a ceramic tile floor to side, front to back to determine where the tiles are supposed to go in relation the! To seal the ring against the flange needs to be on top the. The perimeter of the finished tile floor for how to level a toilet on a ceramic tile floor after installing thicker flooring is to use a push-in expansion-type. Economics from the University of Delaware Cross St, … Fixing down toilet! Completely compress and expand the wax ring to make sure it is,! Essential for the new surface level for this height wood, you must grind down the ceramic floor so. Delivering end-user training could shave it down to completely compress and expand the ring. Solution is to use thinset mortar as your tile adhesive or mastic the thin-set mortar bowl both left and and... Completely fills the gap until it bottoms out and completely fills the between..., see details below gaskets instead of wooden ones used for framing could shave it down flat. Tiling projects establish where the gaps are located, there are other loose spots, install and...