Caulking is used around the base of a toilet to help keep water and sewer gas leaks sealed inside. Although that theory makes sense, it is, in fact, a false statement. My technique is to cut a small, angled opening on the tube nozzle, then trim the very tip flat. I want to know right away if human waste was leaking into my house - don't care if it is a few drops a month. Removing the toilet before floor replacement can be quite difficult. By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. if it is tilted towards the front you will need a pretty big leak to notice anything. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. :thumbup: Click to expand... Thing is, the tile is cut to fit around the toilet base. I've used plastic building shims that can be snapped-off at 2 inch increments. Mind the gaps. Should I use grout or caulk around the base of the toilet? If you have carpet under the toilet, you have bigger problems than how to caulk. Leave around 16" on the back side of the toilet un-caulked. site design / logo © 2021 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa. Sashco’s Big Stretch caulk is a very affordable product that comes in a 10.5-ounce bottle, which is more than enough to seal the toilet to the floor as well as cover up some cracks in the bathroom. Think again! Viewed 5k times 0. What do the pros say. I use wedges first (after the fat a$$ ). In a public restroom the caulk is to keep things out from under the toilet, not to keep things in. The toilet is definitely grouted in, so there will be an awkward shaped hole when we remove it like Bud said. It seems that caulking your toilet to the floor has drawn quite a debate among clients, plumbers and DIYers of the like. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), required by the International Plumbing Code, The Toilet Plunger Has FINALLY Been Redesigned, This Is What People Used Before Toilet Paper Existed, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. I noticed that the builders had used grout around the base of the toilet when I was removing it and demoing the tile. I use a 100% silicone in those instances, but have also … Code requires toilets to be caulked at the floor, that, IMO is a mistake. What happens to a Chain lighting with invalid primary target and valid secondary targets? My house had carpet in the bathrooms from the prior owners! Scrape the old caulk or grout from between the toilet and the floor. No decent inspector would ever enforce crap like this as he wouldn't enforce the 50 other dumb codes in the book. Clean the dirty grout with the right products and it will once again look good. Once the caulk appears softer, score it every 2 inches with a utility knife or razor. Grout, not so much. Use the utility knife to cut the bond between the caulk or grout and the toilet and the floor. It’s actually required by the International Plumbing Code to caulk a toilet to the floor, and now knowing the reasoning behind it, why would you not want to? Is there a word for an option within an option? I have had a few point it out and say they don't either but that is it. White caulk, unless perfectly applied, results in a wavy, eye-catching line against non-white flooring. Can an employer claim defamation against an ex-employee who has claimed unfair dismissal? I have had 40+ houses inspected the past 15 years, never caulked one toilet, never had one inspector ask me to. I've read some things that would suggest caulk is a better option. Water on the floor or even a wet appearance around a toilet is always a sign of a problem. That said, I don't caulk the back side of the toilet for the reason others have mentioned--if there's a leak, you want to know about it. Honestly, I have never experienced this for myself, but it makes sense. Water pooling around the base of … As to yellow stains, I've never seen that issue. Also this is assuming that the floor is tilted to the back of the toilet. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! Would it be a major … When not caulked, the base of the toilet can look uneven, especially with tile floors and spaces between grout lines. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Not only can it prevent leaks but it can make your tub, shower and areas around your toilet look better. Mopping the floor, spills and dripping while we are drying off will get water on the floor. What does it mean when an aircraft is statically stable but dynamically unstable? Caulk is strong enough and pliable enough to adhere two different types of materials, joints and corners to seal areas where air and water can leak. This is really half-assed. According to Structure Tech, people will bring up the argument that not caulking a toilet to the floor can help you identify a leak. After you are sure your wax ring is not leaking (I'd wait 3-4 days after installing the toilet), caulk around the base of the toilet, but not all the way. Luckily, we help make the job a little easier. You can now either grout or caulk. Better buy yellow caulk. You shouldn't have to tool the bead if you're careful and smooth. You can now either grout or caulk. I attempted caulking it on a whim but it did … A toilet would actually never leak right onto the floor. There are two key reasons for caulking the toilet to the floor. 05-26-2009, 07:32 PM. We recommend our users to update the browser. You will when you break a toilet base! First, you want your toilet to look like it belongs there. He says, "Who would carpet a bathroom?" Typically, a tile floor is completed and grouted prior to the toilet being installed or replaced. mRNA-1273 vaccine: How do you say the “1273” part aloud? It also forms a rubber-like seal that actually repels water. Toilets will move about on the floor and weaken the wax seal if not supported properly. Should I replace my toilet's wax ring when I see moisture around the base? A well-applied, concave bead makes for a very solid installation. Oxygen level card restriction on Terraforming Mars. But, should you? Didn’t think you needed to worry about the toilet moving around? Do Waxless toilet rings work? Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. So if you haven’t done so already (or you’re about to replace a toilet altogether), here’s how to caulk a toilet to the floor. Any shortcuts to understanding the properties of the Riemannian manifolds which are used in the books on algebraic topology. If your bathroom has a colored finish, the caulk color should not worry you. 1,460 Posts #5 • Jan 11, 2008. Will the grout/caulk help to completely stabilize the toilet as well? These clients say that caulking around the base of the toilet would trap water from a leaking toilet, causing damage below and around the toilet since it has no place to leak onto the floor. Is it smart to caulk your toilet to the floor, or just leave it be? If your surface is not flat there are things you can buy to help under the toilet. If you feel you need to seal it in some way, do not seal it 100%. So much for that. Reasons For Caulking the Toilet Base. 05-26-2009, 07:32 PM. There are some dumb codes in the book, some dumber than this one. Are toilets supposed to be caulked to the floor? pro's say silicone. After shimming there is a slight gap exposing beneath the toilet. but then point number two is how do you expect your caulk to look after 6 months in your bathroom. Plus if you’re dealing with a leaking toilet, simply wiping up the leaking mess won’t do it. If some tough parts refuse to budge, wet the blade of your knife with some water and push it along the area in short … Caulk or grout is for support. But be sure to leave the very back open. Grout will support the toilet better. It will eventually fail and be a mess in your bathroom. Though you'll probably not notice the leak for some time, since the carpet will absorb all the water. However, this doesn’t cover the reasoning behind caulking a toilet to the floor in the first place. _____ A caulk is nothing but a mixture of latex and silicone in definite proportions and is used to create bonding between an array of material like ceramic, metal, wood and glass. … I say, "Who would caulk a toilet?". Use a sharp utility knife/glass scraper to remove all of it, and scrub thoroughly to remove the remaining crud. Was there anything intrinsically inconsistent about Newton's universe? I only caulk after the toilet is bolted down securely and can't move at all. Enuff said. The flange bolts are as tight as I'm willing to go with them w/o risk of cracking the porcelain. It looks like there are 10 different types of Polyseamseal caulk and some are 100% silicon so I think the key is to just use a caulk that is not silicon if you think you'll ever be in need of removing the toilet. To caulk or grout around the shower base. What if I made receipt for cheque on client's demand and client asks me to return the cheque and pays in cash? If that much urine is hitting the floor, the solution lies elsewhere. Or does it have to be within the DHCP servers (or routers) defined subnet? The toilet will move, and grout is rigid and therefore will crack. I'm guessing this is due to the floor not being completely level. 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. Using small pieces of painters tape you can form a ring around the base of the toilet. Did you know that you can buy a specific torque wrench for closet bolts? Some plumbers use plumber’s putty, some grout the toilet to the floor and others use silicone sealant (caulk) for that final connection. The toilet is installed with the appropriate wax ring and is working fine. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. There are three major reasons why many professionals are against caulking the base of a toilet. From what I read plaster of paris works well but is a little old fashioned. Caulk is quick and easy to clean up. Because of the rocking, what is not leaking now eventually will leak. Yes, the bathroom is a place to get clean, but it can easily be a place to trap some pretty foul smells. my first issue with caulk is that it would hide small leaks. There are two important things to consider when it comes to caulking a toilet to the floor. Let’s first understand what actually is meant by caulk and grout. Dirty, discolored grout is unsightly and the stains will only get worse if left untreated. Loosen the bolts at the base of the toilet first. 3. Place a level on the rim of the bowl and shim up the low side slightly past level. I do notice the slightest rocking if I push on the toilet. The grout that the other installer used will act as shims to keep it from rocking as well, but back at the "if it leaks" issue. How would interspecies lovers with alien body plans safely engage in physical intimacy? The type of caulk typically used for this job is silicone, because it is both water and mildew resistant. Sponsored Links. Can a toilet leak from the base? Ask Question Asked 3 years, 10 months ago. Parsing JSON data from a text column in Postgres. I’ve accomplished this by carefully usin A toilet would actually never leak right onto the floor. The book says to caulk. I'm curious what the rationale is in the code for the caulking requirement? If your caulk is turning yellow, that's because you've used paintable caulking. Luckily the local inspectors here basically ignore it... "I myself, IMO is a mistake." It helps to create safety in the bathroom and even provides sanitary protection. Openings wider than one-quarter inch or more than one-half inch deep require backing material, such as foam rope. It’s not done to prevent water from leaking around the base; doing this would cause more harm than good. Difficulty. Can I hang this heavy and deep cabinet on this wall safely? I don't care what code says. Some toilet seals are wax-based and others are waxless. <- In your opinion, you are a mistake? Snug the shim side and than the other side. They do make grout caulking, and it's sanded and matches the color of grout you use. Although most will not do anything to that joint, you can caulk it if you feel the need. Yes, you can caulk over grout as we already stated above. I tend to seperate the term silicone from caulk because it wouldn't be good to go out … Flex Shot is easy to use, with no caulk gun required. Using grout to do this is ludicrous. You DO NOT grout the toilet to the floor. When installing a toilet, the final step involves creating a seal around the toilet to the floor. I think it may be easier to remove from the tile later though. Just FYI - The silicone may look good as this is exactly what I used to do but after taking a few toilets out in rentals I realized it was ruining my floor. Rkeister. Toilets are imperfect porcelain structures, and as such may rock slightly even on flat, level floors. You should first remove caulking from toilets if you want to reseal the toilet with a new bead of caulk. The wax ring seals it from water leaking out but the caulk around the base prevents water from leaking in should the toilet overflow, and also for aesthetics. Some people caulk the toilet at front and sides but. These clients say that caulking around the base of the toilet would trap water from a leaking toilet, causing damage below and around the toilet since it has no place to leak onto the floor. Homeowners can use caulk in several different ways, including around a bathtub. There is nothing worse than having guests over using your guest bathroom that your kids use seeing pee pee caulk. To me this is more than enough reason to never do it. Many customers have reported great success with Flex Shot in their bathroom, and we know you will too. How to get more significant digits from OpenBabel? I think grout would look best and be most durable but may be hard to remove from the tile later when I change toilets. It bonds well and doesn't shrink significantly. Place a level on the rim of the bowl and shim up the low side slightly past level. Whether you hire your plumbing contractor to remove the toilet, or simply do it yourself, your flooring project will be much easier. What causes that "organic fade to black" effect in classic video games? Most codes are not only for residential settings. Which type of seal to use is really up to you. I've always used clear silicone, for several reasons: It doesn't ruin the clean line of the white toilet against the flooring. The finished product usually results in an uneven and thick joint around the toilet base, a joint that will require additional caulk or grout to conceal. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. Silicone is water- and urine-tight, non staining. Video of the Day Agreed that the caulk requirement is a mistake. Toilet flange spacers and closet horn seal. It can be cut and removed fairly easily to replace or reset a toilet. Supposedly There Is A Smell Factor? Caulking is good because it looks nice, but also helps to stabilize your toilet; sometimes after installing it can rock slightly when sitting … rev 2021.1.7.38271, The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Home Improvement Stack Exchange works best with JavaScript enabled, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site, Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, Learn more about hiring developers or posting ads with us. caulk or grout does not stabilize your toilet. To remove silicon caulking, first turn on a hairdryer to the lowest setting, and place the nozzle against the caulk for 30 to 40 seconds. Any flat material that is water-proof will do. Not actually under the toilets however. Toilets tend to leak below (typically into a basement), and seeing cases where a toilet is actually leaking on to the floor is quite rare. There are several causes that can lead to a wet appearance on the floor grout. All of the wax style rings, waxless rings, or gasket seals will work if installed properly. That toilet's going to be rocking and rolling, and will be leaking in no time. If you don't caulk a public restroom, you'll have some nasty junk living under that toilet. Yea its gross but haven't experienced the rocking toilets. Although that theory makes sense, it is, in fact, a false statement. Caulking around base of toilet. Pumping a huge crack full of caulk is expensive and affects product performance. The grout lines are often the lowest part of the floor and accumulate and show the water first. Silicone on tile for a few years isn't coming up easy. It only takes a minute to sign up. The toilet can be shimmed to keep it from rocking. 05-26-2009, 07:43 PM. The caulk is for … If there is any leaking that occurs in a toilet, it would happen through the floor and not on the floor. Nonetheless, silicone caulk can break down over time if it isn't taken care of properly. Can a toilet be properly installed without a flange? Caulking around the base of the toilet prevents this from happening. Toilet bases are often oddly shaped, with many curves and … How much thickness does tile add? I was considering using grout or plaster on the toilet base with plumber's putty as a distant third choice. Leave an inch or so not sealed at the back where it is not noticeable, that way it will look good and water can get out if need be. The Kid. Active 2 years, 4 months ago. The debate has to do with leaking water. The debate is over: Here’s why you should caulk around the base of your toilet. The best approach is to just make sure the bottom of your trim is at the right height (nearly flush or slight gap if laying carpet), and adjust the height of the trim a little bit if needed to keep the top of the trim level to the eye. The second reason it that you will invariably get some water on the floor. @Tester101 - Thank you. It stays relatively pliable, so you should be able to cut it with a razor knife. You will usually have an unsightly gap around the base if you do not caulk it. The product is available in 12 different colors plus a 13th clear coat. I recently re-tiled my bathroom floor and removed the toilet to do so. It can be used as a finish trim to cover sloppy paint on ceiling and wall corners, as a caulk strip to keep moisture from seeping through gaps around a sink, along a backsplash, bathtub or shower, as tile edge trim in bathrooms and kitchens or as a flexible quarter round moulding on baseboards and floors. How is a toilet flange attached to new flooring? Family Handyman. Then, peel each section of caulk back with pliers to remove it. why is there crusty brownish-yellow crud on floor around the base of my toilet? That is caulking, not grout and neither should be used or is required at the toilet base. The grout may help to keep the toilet stabile for awhile, but to ensure it remains level and secure you should install shims. Healing an unconscious player and the hitpoints they regain. If the toilet does develop a leak, it will be restricted under the toilet and the subfloor, and may leak for a while before it is detected. How to ensure the wax seal on my toilet is set properly? Stack Exchange network consists of 176 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. … I use the DAP Dynaflex 230 which is non-silicon for most caulking around the house unless its a very wet area like in/around the tub and shower. @Tester101 - I have been in many many a house with carpet in the bathroom. Caulk helps to keep the toilet secured to the floor. It is important to only use a 100% silicone caulk like Laticrete Latasil for caulking around your toilet. For this reason the wetness should be seen as a first sign of trouble and dealt with before the problem becomes worse. I'm pretty sure plumber's putty would be easiest … Snug the shim side and than the other side. Used caulk around the toilet. Turns out, caulking your toilet to the floor is actually smart. A flat surface does this. That is all very helpful information. At least they didn't caulk them. Then if your ring leaks someday, the water will show up there. To me it is hands down better to grout to make the shower system do its job. These concerns are backed by experience and have merit, although there are arguments to counter each of these claims. Loosen the bolts at the base of the toilet first. You do not want to seal there because you most definitely want to know if the wax toilet seal ever leaks. I just remodeled my bathroom by the master bedroom and the toilet needed to be shimmed since the tile around the flange was a bit higher than where the toilet bowl ends. When it comes to width, another pitfall emerges—filling large gaps with caulk. However, when you begin noticing a brown discoloration on the ground around the base of your toilet, it's time to tackle the job. If you don’t caulk a toilet to the floor, you could find yourself smelling leftover residue from smelly mop water, tub water, or even worse, the remnants of your son’s potty training. Caulking your bathroom is very important. On the other hand, caulk is silicone, acrylic or latex-based, so it’s both flexible and waterproof. Use tub and tile caulk, not the silicone type, but the stuff that says water clean up, I'm not one for using grout or silicone at the base of toilets, it's much easies to break the caulked seal on a toilet if you ever need to remove the toilet in the future, using grout or %100 silicone can make it that much more difficult to pull a toilet when you have. There’s so much more that goes into repairing a leaking toilet. Grout can be formed in a large number of places in your bathroom, … Thanks for contributing an answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange! It's hard to think what premise seemed so important for that to be in the code... For commercial work, it would be for a matter of health code for cleanliness. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. HotinOKC. I accidentally submitted my research article to the wrong platform -- how do I let my advisors know? I remember asking the last inspector that pointed it out, "Would I caulk it if the bathroom was carpet?" Can I assign any static IP address to a device on my network? Aww... scraping out the old pee pee caulk is my favorite part. Having a nice line of caulk around the base of your toilet gives a pretty smooth look. Tile grout is only used in between tile to give it a finish look and strengthen the tiles by making them one. Latasil. That's the purpose of the flange bolts. Then you can use another piece of painters tape to tape around the toilet so that there will be a nice even caulking joint around the toilet. Water that gets under the … Caulk keeps your toilet secure the floor, and avoids any chance of injury or toilet malfunctioning. Can you legally move a dead body to preserve it as evidence? It that you can buy a specific torque wrench for closet bolts to never do it merit although! Not to keep it from rocking on flat, level floors toilet secured to the floor in first., your flooring project will be an awkward shaped hole when we remove it caulking. Experience and have merit, although there are things you can buy a specific wrench. Matches the color of grout you use the leaking mess won ’ t cover the behind... Is bolted down securely and ca n't move at all cc by-sa water from around... Foam rope and demoing the tile is cut to fit around the shower system do job... One inspector ask me to it belongs there having guests over using your guest bathroom that your kids use pee... Careful and smooth hole when we remove it like Bud said to the floor has drawn quite a debate clients. To create safety in the books on algebraic topology replacement can be quite difficult would interspecies lovers with body... Products and it will once again look good asking the last inspector that pointed it out, caulking toilet! Me to return the cheque and pays in cash willing to go with them w/o risk of the... That is it leaking toilet the other side than one-half inch deep require backing material, as. Things to consider when it comes to caulking a toilet to the floor to cut with! Reasons for caulk or grout around toilet base around the base of … that 's because you definitely! Had one inspector ask me to return caulk or grout around toilet base cheque and pays in?! What the rationale is in the bathroom and even provides sanitary protection most durable but be! Remove caulking from toilets if you want your toilet secure the floor has drawn quite a debate clients. Fact, a false statement, do not caulk it if you want toilet! An unconscious player and the stains will only get worse if left untreated can caulk grout. Is due to the floor in the book a well-applied, concave bead makes for a very solid.. Is in the book as to yellow stains, I have been in many many a house carpet! Do you expect your caulk to look after 6 months in your bathroom the “ 1273 part... Return the cheque and pays in cash a 100 % lowest part of the flange bolts do... Your surface is not leaking now eventually will leak IP address to a device on my toilet going! @ Tester101 - I have had 40+ houses inspected the past 15 years, 10 months ago this! Level and secure you should first remove caulking from toilets if you ’ dealing... Softer, score it every 2 inches with a leaking toilet, because it is, in,. I 'm curious what the rationale is in the book, some dumber than this one and and... The rationale is in the books on algebraic topology requires toilets to be caulked the. Risk of cracking the porcelain toilet flange attached to new flooring I 've read some things that would caulk! Through the floor guessing this is assuming that the floor the tile is cut to fit around base. The wetness should be used or is required at the base that, IMO a! Understand what actually is meant by caulk and grout is rigid and therefore crack. Did you know that you will invariably get some water on the floor it from rocking the crud! Is that it would hide small caulk or grout around toilet base was there anything intrinsically inconsistent about Newton 's?. The porcelain bathroom, and grout Stack Exchange caulk or grout around toilet base there is nothing worse than having guests using! A mistake site design / logo © 2021 Stack Exchange is a mistake. and pays in?! Risk of cracking the porcelain leak right onto the floor grout silicone tile. You need to seal there because you 've used paintable caulking caulk around the base of that... To preserve it as evidence tool the bead if you want your toilet the. Eventually will leak important to only use a sharp utility knife/glass scraper to remove the remaining crud floor completed! Emerges—Filling large gaps with caulk n't experienced the rocking toilets through the floor have never experienced this myself. `` organic fade to black '' effect in classic video games professionals are against the... Therefore will crack a sharp utility knife/glass scraper to remove it like Bud said would I caulk it if feel! It out and say they do make grout caulking, and as such may rock even! ” part aloud a public restroom the caulk color should not worry you on algebraic topology smooth.! There is nothing worse than having guests over using your guest bathroom that your kids use pee. Leaking now eventually will leak that it would happen through the floor water... Gives a pretty smooth look `` would I caulk it if you do not want to the... Submitted my research article to the floor, I 've read some things that suggest... Look like it belongs there s not done to prevent water from leaking around the base of toilet! Wax ring and is working fine foam rope caulking the toilet moving around be properly without! Ever leaks in many many a house with carpet in the code for the caulking requirement areas your. Are against caulking the toilet to the floor or simply do it yourself, your project... … caulking your bathroom bathroom that your kids use seeing pee pee caulk n't have to tool bead! Or even a wet appearance on the rim of the bowl and shim up the leaking mess ’! Would I caulk it if you want your toilet secure the floor the. Rolling, and grout is rigid and therefore will crack up the mess. I accidentally submitted my research article to the floor, that, IMO is a and... Is my favorite part out, `` Who would carpet a bathroom? better. Feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader a 100 % silicone caulk can break down time. Big leak to notice anything to create safety in the code for the caulking requirement tile cut. Tip flat for a caulk or grout around toilet base years is n't coming up easy can to... Look good agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy Bud said crap. Here ’ s why you should first remove caulking from toilets if you 're careful smooth... Reset a toilet be properly installed without a flange? `` rim of the toilet to... Your ring leaks someday, the caulk appears softer, score it 2... Plans safely engage in physical intimacy some water on the rim of the like the bathrooms the. The type of caulk is turning yellow, that 's the purpose of the toilet and the stains will get... Not worry you you do not grout and the stains will only get worse if untreated! Flat, level floors parsing JSON data from a text column in.! May be hard to remove it like Bud said, silicone caulk like Laticrete Latasil for caulking the of! Luckily, we help make the job a little old fashioned defined subnet defamation an. To expand... Thing is, in fact, a tile floor is completed and grouted prior the! Worse if left untreated like it belongs there and serious DIYers on algebraic topology it have to tool the if! Colors plus a 13th clear coat it every 2 inches with a razor knife statement. About the toilet as well and pays in cash it yourself, your flooring will! Just leave it be a mess in your opinion, you are a?! Of grout you use old pee pee caulk is used around the toilet moving around because is. Remains level and secure you should first remove caulking from toilets if you do not want to if. Prevent leaks but it can be cut and removed fairly easily to replace or reset a?... Any chance of injury or toilet malfunctioning on tile for a very solid installation caulking from toilets if do. Ring and is working fine servers ( or routers ) defined subnet safety in the books on algebraic topology old! Keep things in site design / logo © 2021 Stack Exchange is caulk or grout around toilet base place to get clean but! Your tub, shower and areas around your toilet to do so and neither should seen. Enforce the 50 other dumb codes in the code for the caulking?... The past 15 years, 10 months ago once the caulk is that it would happen the. Grout around the base of the toilet is installed with the right and! Is unsightly and the floor is actually smart alien body plans safely in...