How to Install Tile Around a Toilet
Installing Tile Around a Toilet:
Shut off the water supply.
Turn off the toilet’s water supply and flush the water in the bowl.
Remove the Toilet
Remove the toilet by taking off the retaining bolts, disconnecting the supply line and lifting the toilet straight up. The toilet should have a wax sealing ring that will break when the toilet is lifted. It’s common for some water to continue leaking from the toilet after it has been lifted.
Remove the Wax Sealing Ring
Remove the wax ring from the bottom of the toilet and place the toilet in a safe location. The bathtub is a good place to store the toilet while you work.
Clean the Floor
Clean and dry the floor before you begin laying tile. Depending on how much debris is on the floor, you may want to consider covering the toilet’s drainage pipe to make sure nothing falls into it.
Lay the Tile
Lay the tile up to the drainage pipe’s retaining ring. Use tile cutters to cut the pieces so that they closely surround the retaining ring; the gap should be 1/4 inch or less. Lay the tiles without adhesive to make sure the cuts are accurate.
Apply the Tiles
Apply the tiles and allow the adhesive to dry completely. Next, apply the grout. Don’t grout the gap between the tiles and the retaining ring.
Replace the Wax Ring
Replace the wax sealing ring with a new ring.
Reinstall the Toilet
Depending on the thickness of the tile, you may need longer retaining bolts.
Reconnect the Water Supply
Reconnect the supply line and flush the toilet to fill the bowl with water.
Tile Installation Tips:
Tile the rest of the bathroom floor before you tile around the toilet’s drainage pipe.
Mix only enough adhesive to last 30 minutes. If you mix too much, you risk it drying out before you can use it.
Share This Guide
