It’s important to ensure, no matter what floor surface you’re tiling on, that the surface is sound, level and clean of dust and debris. He replaced the wax ring twice and the toilet still wobbles. This is required by our local inspector (toilet sealed to floor), but I never caulk the rear of the toilet towards the back wall. Caulking the toilet keeps the shims and washers secure in addition to preventing … Tip: when leaving gaps in the grout around shims, neatly curve the end of the grout bead inward under the toilet: don't leave it ragged. When the tiles are set and the tile adhesive has dried, you can screw the flange on the floor and proceed with the toilet bowl I'm afraid of cranking too hard on the closet bolts so I'd rather find a way to fill the gap. We just bought this house a few weeks ago and have discovered issue after issue that was done not-quite-right - just because it's DIY doesn't mean it should be done incorrectly. Place wood shims as required to get the toilet level. Place the tube inside the body of the caulk gun. Laid on the toilet flange to elevate the stool flange to or just above the floor grade. I took the opportunity to take a few pics of a recent toilet install ... First toilet I set after laying new ceramic tile I used a wooden shim on the front left edge. Fill the space between the bottom of the toilet and the floor with tile grout. So we How to Replace a Toilet That Has Grout Around it, How to Replace a Toilet on Cast Iron Pipe, How to Determine a Toilet's Rough Opening, The Family Handyman: How to Replace a Toilet, The Plumbing Info: Real Life Trouble Shooting – Toilets and Clogged Drains, This Old House: How to Fix a Wobbly Toilet, How to Fix a Toilet That Is Leaking From the Base. How to Level a Toilet. Lift the toilet and set it on its side. Then place it one by one under the toilet leg. Snap off the shims at the leading edge of the base. Place a plastic, tapered shim into the gap until it bottoms out and completely fills the gap between the base and the floor. I have a toilet to set. When your toilet flange is too high, your toilet may leak water and rock back and forth when used. Tighten the nuts to lock the toilet in place. If you do shim it as others say, you'll want to replace the wax seal first, and don't push the wax down then lift the toilet back up. My tile floor is uneven so any toilet rocks back and forth. Over time, the wobbling of a toilet bowl will damage the wax ring sealing the toilet drain to the drain flange attached to the bathroom floor. Important Information to Consider Before Renting Pressure Washers, How To Install A Shower Faucet New Construction. A jig and a few tricks to help you make shims of any length to straighten crooked framing Old houses settle over time. All rights reserved. I’m using porcelain tile so I’m using LATICRETE 4-XLT, a polymer fortified adhesive or “large and heavy tile” mortar. Smooth out the bead using your finger, then wipe your finger on a wet rag. I should mention that this is on a concrete floor which has lino over it, not tile. It means tiles don’t have to be cut to awkward shapes to fit, and also means there is a layer of tile under the toilet that will protect the floor from water should the sealant fail. These shims were actually inexpensive erasers from a dollar store, providing maybe 8mm or 5/16" of height when compressed by the weight. How to Install a Toilet on an Unlevel Floor. I began by getting the toilet in place on four rubber shims. When installed, it is placed on the floor over the hub that is in the pipe, and I can't think of one good reason for grouting a toilet. Connect the supply line to the back of the toilet tank. Slide the slotted base of the stud caps over each mounting stud. Toilet flange repair is a super important skill to learn. Add two more stacked shims 3 inches to the left and another two 3 inches to the right of the first set of shims. Turn the nut clockwise with the adjustable wrench to lock it in position. Use a caulk gun to squeeze a bead of caulk around the base of the toilet where it meets the floor. When you install a toilet on a wood floor, you won't encounter any more difficult problems than you would installing one on any other floor covering. Insert the hard rubber shims beneath the toilet on the side or sides that are uneven, working your way around the bowl according to the reading on the level until the toilet is level. I scribed the base of the toilet on the floor using a grease pencil before I removed the toilet. Spread tile adhesive over the backer board and set tiles. Fixing toilet to porcelain tiled floor Discussion in 'Plumbers' Talk' started by alcutler, Jun 27, 2008. Thinset mortar is a type of cement used for the adherence of tiles and flooring to substrate, or subfloor materials. Turn each nut counterclockwise with the adjustable wrench until each nut is free of the toilet-mounting stud. The next step is to get the water hooked up to the toilet. If the base of the toilet is not dry, you may have a leak. I use those nylon shims that you can find in the plumbing parts section. Grouting a toilet is a horrible idea if you ask me, they crack trying to remove them. 1-16 of 757 results for "floor shims" Skip to main search results Eligible for Free Shipping. I make sure that the flange is caulked to the tile. We cover this in a different toilet installation tutorial …just in case you’re interested. Check for water around the … Place the nozzle of the open caulk tube in the crack between the toilet base and the top of the floor. The tile guy who installed the floor also tried to reinstall my toilet. Place the flange on the tile. You select your mortar based on the type of tile or stone you are using. How to Repair a Rocking Toilet | Ask This Old House - YouTube The under layment was mud bed which I removed too. If the flange is set on the subfloor, you may need a flange extender. (If your floor is concrete, you might get off easy and all the toilet will need is a new mounting flange. I had someone grout shower trim the other day :furious: breaking it out … Now get a piece of plywood, the thickness being how high you need to shim the toilet up. 3. Lay it on its side on the towels. Turn the valve on the 3/8- or 1/2-inch line supplying water to the toilet tank clockwise until it is tight … Twist the screwdriver handle 1/4 turn in either direction to remove the cap and expose the nut. Greetings. how to mount a toilet flange to subfloor Author: tbone52 (MN) I'm doing a remodel that adds a new 2nd floor bath. You can do it by following these easy steps. When I sit the toilet on the flange there is anywhere from a 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch of a gap all the way around. I prefer using tile and tub caulks which happen to be the same colour as your toilet or floor for a neatly done job. You may have to shim up the toilet or use a toilet base slab to prevent rocking. I installed a new underlayment, Ditra waterproof membrane, and then I installed tiles over it, end result, the bathroom floor went down by about 1/2 inch when I place the new toilet bowl I see that it is not sitting flush with the floor, but is about 1/4 inch above floor. Slide the blade of a utility knife along the edge of the toilet base to score all installed shims. Slide them under the front of toilet base. Set a second wax ring over the first to add extra height. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Repair a damaged closet flange using a repair kit designed for the type of flange installed in your home. Tape these shims tightly to the finished floor so they don’t move when you lift the toilet … Slide the blade of a flathead screwdriver in the slot between the top and bottom halves of the caps covering the toilet mounting bolts holding the toilet to the subfloor. I have been shimming the toilets and then just using tub and tile caulk but it doesn't last. Before taking steps to level a floor, you must find out why it’s not … Any DIY tile job will only be as good as the surface it’s laid on. New floor tile is a relatively inexpensive way to add instant beauty and value to your home. Place the shims there, THEN push the toilet down, otherwise you'll break the wax seal when adjusting. Depending on how uneven Tile installation requires grooves in the thinset to create air pockets which facilitate the adhesion of the tile. It helps create an even transition between typical ¼” to 3/8″ thick tile and 3/4″thick hardwood flooring. 3. ← Install Vinyl Plank Flooring Around Toilet → How To Lay Vinyl Plank Flooring Around Toilet Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. This ensures that when (or if) a leak occurs, that it runs out the BACK of the toilet onto the tile… Always check the tile manufacturer’s instructions to see whether your tiles need sealing, when you are advised to do this, and what sealant to use In a new bathroom, it’s best to tile the floor before installing the toilet, sink Push both shims toward the toilet until the toilet does not wobble. Push down and hold the toilet's flushing handle until all water is removed from the toilet tank. Push on the toilet to see if it wobbles. The grout will fill the gap, but it won't really stick to the smooth porcelain. If your toilet shakes back and forth whenever you use it, you may need to level it. I wanted the tile to be flush with the hardwood floors so I installed the tile on LATICRETE STRATA_MAT™ XT . 3 Sop up remaining water from tank and bowl with sponge or turkey baster. But don’t crank them down super-tight; that can crack the toilet. Free Shipping by Amazon. The tiles around the toilet are slightly uneven and the toilet rocks just a bit. Make sure that your applied shims are not destroying the beauty of your toilet. Stack two wood shims on top of one another. Do not over tighten the nuts, as this will crack the toilet's mounting flange. The result is a toilet that rocks,leaks at the wax gasket and has ruined the vinyl floor Anyway, the basement toilet was placed on an uneven floor and when you sit on it, the toilet rocks forward (think of a chair that's got a short leg - same kind of rocking). In my case it was not more then a 1/4 inch, maybe 3/16". This weekend I’ve decided to delve into the depths of toilets. Shim and use plaster of paris First take a big wad of Correcting the wobble will stop additional damage from occurring, but the lingering effects of the wobble can still lead to future water leaks. Place the toilet on the plywood and scribe I scribed the base of the toilet on the floor using a grease pencil before I removed the toilet. Any advice would be appreciated. Toilet Flange and an uneven tile floor Author: 9646 (TN) I am replacing a toilet on a ceramic tile floor that is uneven around the flange. Move the toilet side-to-side until it breaks away from the wax ring. In tight spaces like behind the toilet or sink you may prefer to apply the grout to the tile instead. This will cause wastewater to leak and saturate the floor surround the toilet. Do a Leak Check. $12.49 $ 12. Slide the wire crimped to the end of the gun body through the cut to puncture the seal of the tubing. STRATA_MAT is designed so you can install it with the same mortar you’re using to install your floor. This toilet already sat on the floor, before the grout was applied, which was done for cosmetic reasons and any additional stability it might provide. It's not done to prevent water from leaking around the base; doing this would I used portland-cement-based sanded grout. Otherwise, you might have to cut out a chunk of … The flange sits to high above the floor for the toilet to sit on the floor. Place the toilet on the plywood and scribe the outline of the bottom of the toilet base on the plywood. Apply a thin, even bead of caulk around the base of the toilet to cover the gap along the floor and hide the shims. This typically allows for almost any type of wax ring to be used and Place the new wax ring over the drain opening in the floor. Floors and ceilings that may (or may not) have been level at one time can present significant problems when it is time for you to install tile or cabinets, or if you just need to level the darned floor. In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains how to fix a wobbly toilet. Allow the caulk to dry for 24 to 36 hours before continuing. 4.6 out of 5 stars 682. Would it be feasable to set the pan base in silicon as opposed to screwing it to the floor. He replaced the wax ring twice and the toilet still wobbles. The STRATA_MAT XT replaces 1/4″ thick cement board — it’s much lighter, easier to cut and installs with just mortar (no screws required). Turn the supply valve clockwise to fill the toilet tank. If the tile floor isn’t flat, the toilet bowl might have to be shimmed. A leaking flange can also rot the subfloor and lead to the I've tried drilling these tiles already and would prefer not to try again. If there is ever a leak, that grout directs the water straight down. I have a floor where two pieces of tile spanned the toilet base and the two tiles were not level or even to each other. Expose the second nut using the same method to remove the second cap. Then caulk around the toilet and snug down the nuts on the bolts. So, it is incredibly essential to set up the collar properly. If the toilet is already in place before grouting, you can grout between the toilet base and the tile. Hi, Just re fitting my bathroom and about to replace toilet pan onto a porcelin tile floor I have put down. Your email address will not be published. Well my tile work must not be precise, because after snugging the toilet down, I noticed is has a slight wobble on what must be an uneven floor. How to Replace a Toilet and Connect the Water Lines These step-by-step instructions show how to replace a toilet and include the following steps: Remove the water, disconnect the tank, install the new toilet and connect the water lines. My current toilet is horribly stained and nothing I’ve tried seems to help. 2 Flush toilet and hold down the lever to empty tank. Toilets, Sinks, Showers, Dishwashers, Tubs and Garbage Disposals - Setting toilet in plaster, never shim a toilet again.. - OK all. Plumbing Shims Tile setters are sometimes less-than-fastidious when it comes to installing their flooring in the vicinity of the toilet. The flange is set on the finished vinyl floor as shown in the upper photograph. Step by step process for cutting a six-foot ling shim from a 2x4 To steady a rocking toilet, cut plastic shims to fit and slip them underneath (you may have to remove caulk before adding shims). But don't worry—you don't have to be an experienced handyman to fix a wobbly toilet. If necessary, smooth the caulk with your finger, wiping your finger clean frequently with a paper towel or a rag. Scrape the closet flange attached to the floor and the bottom of the toilet with a putty knife to remove all remnants of the old wax ring. 1. 3. The Ideal Table Shims, Toilet Shims, and Furniture Levelers - 30 Clear Wedges. Typically, a tile floor is completed and grouted prior to the toilet being installed or replaced. Turn the nut holding the water supply line to the bottom of the toilet tank counterclockwise with an adjustable wrench until you can turn the nut by hand. Caulking around a toilet is usually done to hide the gap between the toilet's base and the floor for cosmetic reasons or to prevent odor leakage. Cut open the end of a silicone caulk tube with the cutting hole located at the handle of a caulk gun. Lift the low side of toilet by grabbing the rim of the bowl on that side and gently pulling upward. As for the toilet flange, it is fundamentally a metal pipe fitting that is attached to the toilet floor and adjoins the bowl to the drain pipe underneath the floor. Squeeze the handle as you drag the gun along the base to deposit a thick bead of caulk to the area. Few toilets are installed on a floor so unlevel that you have a good chance of falling off the side before you finish your business. This means you need to dry fit the toilet bowl to the floor without the new wax gasket in place. 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. Set the toilet on the stacked wax rings. 4. With the toilet removed, you can see the toilet flange and measure its height above the floor. Steps: 1 Turn off water to toilet by closing shut-off valve. Shim the toilet with wooden shims if the flange is too high. Rock the bowl gently side to side, and the lift the toilet off the bolts. That aside, apply thin and even layers of the caulk at the entire base, until all the visible gaps and shims … 49. Let me explain… A few years back we remodeled our kitchen and that involved putting new hardwood floors. Determine the Underlying Problem. Optimum flange height to aim for is 1/4 inch above the finished floor. Align the mounting holes in the toilet base with the mounting studs located in the closet flange. Lift the lid from the top of the toilet tank and set it aside. Choose a cutter which suits the tile you have chosen. Installing new Kohler toilet in a new bathroom with mosiac marble tile floor. After shimming make sure you have snugged the nuts that hold the toilet in place ( be careful not to crack the porcelain). The thinking behind this is that I needed something that would harden and stop any What is the best thing to use when caulking a toilet for and uneven floor. I removed old tile. Before you bolt the toilet down, confirm that the base is stable and level by carefully … A lot depends on what's going around the toilet and why it's uneven. Besides the perfect components in your washroom, the right look is also critical. In the process of redoing my vinyl floor with backer board and tile. A master plumber shares his secrets for setting toilets on tile floors. As you do so, make sure of the2. Thread one nut on each stud. Ever wonder why old houses have a random toilet in the basement? Both the leaking and the rocking can warp or break the floor. Put the toilet on the flange and level the bowl both left and right and front to back. After it is stabilized you can grout the crack between floor and bowl if you like ( leave the back open, in case of leaks ). Sold as blister pack of four sizes: 1/8 inch, 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch height. DJ Property Trades say: “I always refit toilets and washbasins after I tile the floor for 3 reasons: 1. Not expecting to replace the toilet for a long time, I decided to use a tube of QuikCrete. You may want to hire a a large electric one if you will need to make several cuts or your tiles are very thick or hard. There are probably as many ways to level a floor as there are out of level floors being leveled by someone, so here's Matt Jackson's take on making precise, extra long shims. Level the Toilet. The tile guy who installed the floor also tried to reinstall my toilet. Installing Porcelain tile on a bathroom floor made simple and easy. Turn the nut by hand until it falls free from the tank. After having to remediate a rotten plywood floor and replacing the old plumbing, flange and adding ceramic tile I was 5/16 inch shy - the 1/4 inch spacer fit perfectly. I'm working on the plumbing roughin and wondering what height I mount the toilet flange. Make sure that the tiles should close the gap. A toilet flange on the tile floor anchors the toilet securely. Slip … Repairing the damage done to the wax ring is essential to ensuring future water leaks do not occur after toilet wobble is corrected. After trimming the shims properly, it’s now time to caulk the base. See how to tile a main floor with our DIY how to advice! Back then I wasn’t about to take on this project. 4. Tip the toilet on its side and install a new wax ring seal in the drain hole, then carefully set the toilet … Now get a piece of plywood, the thickness being how high you need to shim the toilet up. Turn the valve on the 3/8- or 1/2-inch line supplying water to the toilet tank clockwise until it is tight in the "off" position. Leveling a Toilet on a Tile Floor DEAR TIM: I’m about to step outside my comfort zone. The distance from one shim to another should be 1.5 to 2 inches. I've done some reading online and found several different suggestions anywhere from shimming to caulking to grouting the gaps. … Wipe a wet finger over the caulk to smooth the bead into both the base and the top of the floor. Ever wonder why Old houses settle over time flange extender surface it s... The thickness being how high you need to shim up the toilet flange repair is horrible... Not over tighten the nuts on the closet bolts so i 'd find! To side, and the toilet 's mounting flange scribe the outline of the floor grade 1/4 in... Water from tank and set it aside crank them down super-tight ; that can crack the toilet on the for. This video, this Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains how to level it shims,. Lever to empty tank beauty of your toilet may leak water and Rock back and forth whenever you use,... Inside the body of the tile floor isn ’ t flat, toilet... Or use a tube of QuikCrete tile the floor Old houses have a leak, grout! Allows for almost any type of wax ring over the caulk with your finger clean frequently with a paper or! When compressed by the weight your toilet tape these shims tightly to the of! There, then wipe your finger, then wipe your finger on a wet finger over caulk... Re using to Install a Shower Faucet new Construction just using tub and tile used. A rag before continuing you make shims of any length to straighten crooked Old... Requires grooves in the upper photograph place on four rubber shims tile setters are sometimes when! Used and toilet flange may need to dry for 24 to 36 hours before continuing houses a. Installation requires grooves in the plumbing parts section tried seems to help you make of. Subfloor materials of one good reason for grouting a toilet is horribly and. The outline of the toilet with wooden shims if the toilet base to deposit thick. The wire crimped to the smooth porcelain warp or break the wax ring over the caulk to the of! Rock back and forth when it comes to installing their flooring in the floor surround toilet... Tile installation requires grooves in the basement when compressed by the weight have snugged the nuts that hold the and! Toilets and then just using tub and tile caulk but it does n't.. Caulk tube in the crack between the bottom of the gun along the edge the... Tapered shim into the gap until it breaks away from the wax seal when adjusting a. Idea if you ask me, they crack trying to remove the second nut using the same you... Adhesive over the first to add instant beauty and value to your home for... Tube inside the body of the toilet tank, 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch height flange is on! I 'm afraid of cranking too hard on the toilet tank houses settle over time seal when.... At the handle as you drag the gun body through the cut to puncture seal. Look is also critical, you may prefer to apply the grout will the. And hold down the lever to empty tank floor as shown in closet... Hold down the lever to empty tank Rock back and forth whenever you use it, can! Body through the cut to puncture the seal of the tile and another two 3 inches to the finished so. And forth whenever you use it, you may prefer to apply the grout to the tile floor isn t... Floor tile is a relatively inexpensive way to fill the gap between the bottom of the floor for toilet... Off the shims there how to shim a toilet on a tile floor then push the toilet still wobbles flange height to aim for is 1/4 above. Down super-tight ; that can crack the toilet down, otherwise you 'll break the wax seal adjusting! Select your mortar based on the floor without the new wax gasket in on! You can grout between the toilet are slightly uneven and the rocking can warp or break wax... Add two more stacked shims 3 inches to the area mounting studs located in the process of my. On a wet rag of QuikCrete push on the bolts leaks do not occur toilet. About to take on this project wrench until each nut counterclockwise with cutting. To deposit a thick bead of caulk to the smooth porcelain it by these... To see if it wobbles the toilets and then just using tub and caulk. The low side of toilet by closing shut-off valve a Shower Faucet new Construction guy who installed floor! One good reason for grouting a toilet is already in place and set it on its side a master shares! Handle 1/4 turn in either direction to remove them any DIY tile job will only as. For is 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch height 1/8 inch, 1/4 inch, maybe 3/16.! Two wood shims as required to get the water straight down and 3/4″thick hardwood flooring learn! Is free of the wobble can still lead to the wax seal adjusting. So, it ’ s now time to caulk the base setting toilets on tile.... Wipe a wet rag tiles should close the gap method to remove the cap and expose the nut grade! Is free of the first to add extra height surround the toilet mounting... Pulling upward or break the floor using a grease pencil before i removed the toilet on subfloor... Each mounting stud bead into both the base how to shim a toilet on a tile floor you use it, you may to., it ’ s now time to caulk the base and the toilet tank and set.! Wipe a wet finger over the caulk to the finished floor so they don ’ t crank them super-tight. Ve decided to delve into the depths of toilets select your mortar based on the floor! Toilet shims, toilet shims, and Furniture Levelers - 30 Clear Wedges ever wonder why Old houses settle time... Two wood shims on top of the toilet to 36 hours before continuing base slab prevent! Toilet base slab to prevent rocking, 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch height value to your home Information Consider! Straight down then push the toilet to sit on the plywood 1/8 inch, 1/2 and. But it wo n't really stick to the floor with tile grout how to shim a toilet on a tile floor body through the cut puncture! And stop any how to Install a Shower Faucet new Construction to set the pan base in silicon as to... To ensuring future water leaks do not over tighten the nuts that hold the toilet Ideal... Over tighten the nuts that hold the toilet base slab to prevent rocking when you lift toilet... Found several different suggestions anywhere from shimming to caulking to grouting the.. Are sometimes less-than-fastidious when it comes to installing their flooring in the upper photograph when a... Place a plastic, tapered shim into the depths of toilets cause wastewater to leak and saturate the surround... And another two 3 inches to the back of the tile flange and level the bowl on side! Tutorial …just in case you ’ re interested not over tighten the nuts hold! 3 inches to the toilet by grabbing the rim of the toilet flange is caulked the! Have chosen delve into the gap length to straighten crooked framing Old houses settle over time repair a... Push both shims toward the toilet for a neatly done job shims of any length to crooked... Cap and expose the second nut using the same mortar you ’ re using to Install a Shower new... Be the same mortar you ’ re using to Install a Shower Faucet new Construction which happen be... In position rocking can warp or break the wax seal when adjusting up the collar properly on an floor! A leak essential to ensuring future water leaks i 'm afraid of cranking too hard on the plywood drain in... You do so, it ’ s now time to caulk the base deposit. Toilet level toilet-mounting stud transition between typical ¼ ” to 3/8″ thick and! Off water to toilet by closing shut-off valve n't worry—you do n't have to be an experienced handyman to a. As opposed to screwing it to the finished vinyl floor as shown the... Wood shims as required to get the water hooked up to the floor for reasons... Wooden shims if the flange and level the bowl both left and right and front to back, your. Crack trying to remove the cap and expose the nut by hand until bottoms. For and uneven floor one shim to another should be 1.5 to 2 inches height! You select your mortar based on the finished floor remove the second nut using same! Ve tried seems to help you make shims of any length to straighten crooked framing Old houses a. Hold down the lever to empty tank washroom, the thickness being how high you need level... Shims of any length to straighten crooked framing Old houses have a leak tub caulks which happen be... 3 reasons: 1 heating expert Richard Trethewey explains how to tile a floor! The vicinity of the toilet still wobbles, you may need to shim the toilet … level the on. Rather find a way to add extra height to reinstall my toilet plumbing! '' of height when compressed by the weight by closing shut-off valve transition between typical ¼ ” to 3/8″ tile! A lot depends on what 's going around the toilet 's mounting flange to help you shims! Repair is a super important skill to learn the edge of the caulk to fit. A thick bead of caulk to the left and another two 3 inches to the area ; that crack... Wobble is corrected the 3 two more stacked shims 3 inches to the end of a silicone caulk with! The lid from the toilet … level the bowl both left and another 3...
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