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Reworking a bathroom & tile

| Posted in General Discussion on March 16, 2005 10:28am

I am going to be helping my sister & brother-in-law replace their master bathroom shower, fix the floor and give them some advice for not damaging their new carpeting.

1.) When we go to tile the floor, should we tile up to the edge of the toilet or is it smarter to tile under the toilet? We are concerned about chipping the tile if a large person sits on the toilet.

2.) Electric radiant heat for the floor. Do you know any companies who sell the stuff for a reasonable price that an average person can install (not a carpenter)? Is it required to be GFCI protected per the NEC?

3.) The shower has several cracks in the liner. Would you utilize a multi-piece shower or should we bite the bullet and pull down the wall in order to fit in a one-piece shower? We are worried about any water damage with a multi-piece shower.

4.) Finally, we are going to be replacing the carpet over a wooden sub-floor. With pets in the house, is it a good or bad idea to put a water-proof liner over the wooden subfloor before we install the carpet padding?

Thanks,

Rick H.

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  1. DonCanDo | Mar 17, 2005 02:33am | #1

    1.) When we go to tile the floor, should we tile up to the edge of the toilet or is it smarter to tile under the toilet? We are concerned about chipping the tile if a large person sits on the toilet.

    The toilet should sit on the tiles.  If properly installed, they will not crack unless the floor itself can not support the weight of a person.  Anyway, I can't imagine how tiles could be cut to meet the base of the toilet in such a way as to look even marginally acceptable.

    -Don

  2. DougR | Mar 17, 2005 03:05am | #2

    Definitely run the tile under the toilet. I don't see what a waterproof liner under the carpet pad gains you. Pet stains will ruin the carpet and pad anyway, so you'd only be protecting the plywood subfloor. The carpet and pad will absorb most of the moisture, and the subfloor will get stained a little, but not enough to cause structural damage. I would think the liner under the pad might cause some noise when walked upon.

    A couple of years ago a client asked me to put in a pre-fab shower liner unit around an existing tub. He provided the unit himself, and he mistakenly got a one-piece unit. That thing was a nightmare to install as a retrofit. They're designed for new construction and intended to be installed right against the bare studs, with drywall installed afterwards. When both sides of the stud walls are open (especially the wet wall) they go in just fine. Otherwise forget it. It took half a day and excavating a lot of extra drywall (well out into the room) to finally jockey the thing in. And it cracked a little during the process. Go with the 3-piece liner FOR SURE.

  3. tmaxxx | Mar 17, 2005 06:29am | #3

    HI rick. 

    are you replacing a tub/shower or a shower base?  if its a shower base and the floor is tile, here is a suggestion.

    http://www.schluter.com/english/products/2002/sectionh/overview-h/section-h.html

    if you want to put in a fiberglass unit, doug is right, dont get the one piece.  2 or 3 pc units are way easier and they have about a 1 inch lip and can be sealed with caulk or silicone.  some are assembled with bolts.  dont get that kind because ther just as hard to install as a 1 pc.

    lift the toilet and run the tiles under it.  its way easier.  a new toilet wax ring ect is only a few bucks.  get them as flat as you can and cut them really close to the toilet flange.  after the tiles are set you can either grout the floor then install the toilet and caulk the base (recommended) or you can set the toilet and then grout.  squeeze grout around the base of the toilet and it helps give the base strength.  but if it ever has to be repalced, it damages the grout.

    as for the electric floors.  they are amazing  dont cheap out though.  if something goes wrong with a cheap product, you cant replace it without removing your new tile floor.

    heres what i recommend.  its the schitt.  i have put in many and am in the process of putting in 4 in 1 house.

    http://www.nuheat.com/

    as for the plastic under the carpet.  teach the pets to go outside. plastic under the carpet can do more harm than good.  if moisture gets under the plastic, it wont evaporate and can cause premature mold and rot.

    good luck, take your time, do it right the first time.

    cheers

    Tmaxxx

    Urban Workshop Ltd

    Vancouver B.C.

    Ok ill hold it. Now when i nod my head, you hit it.

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