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Setting Toilet on Ceramic Tile

RetiredRobert | Posted in General Discussion on February 22, 2005 02:32am

Is there a consensus as to what, if anything, should be between the outside edge of the base of a toilet and a tile floor. In a couple of days I will be installing a new toilet onto ceramic tile, hopefully this new floor will be smooth and level. In our main bath, also with ceramic tile flooring, there does not seem to be any sort of sealant, caulk or other leveling goop used. The toilet in this bath, however, was installed by a licensed, pro, while I myself, will be installing this new one in “my” bathroom. I have put a few in, over the years, but never on a tile floor. My concern is that if the tile is not completely level the toilet my tend to rock, threatening to loosen the seal, or place uneven stress on either the tile or the appliance itself, and result in damage.

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Replies

  1. Jemcon | Feb 22, 2005 02:47am | #1

    Dryfit the toilet without the wax ring and see if it rocks. If it does, get plastic shims and shim it in place. Mark where the shims are and lift the toilet. Install the wax ring with the shims in place and then seal it with Phenosil. Works for me.

    But, I know a gut who dryfits the toilet, draws a mark with a pencil around it and uses plaster to set the toilet.The plaster goes inside the pencil mark and when you push the toilet down it makes its' own  level base. Once it dries score it and crack any plaster that squeezes out.

    Sure somebody has another idea.

  2. User avater
    EricPaulson | Feb 22, 2005 02:59am | #2

    I like to use the same grout you used on the floor tile.

    Plaster is not impervious to moisture at all. It will not last. It is a job gaurantee for the plumber.

    I don't like pheno, cause I have seen it go moldy or gooey one to many times.

    Never had many issues using grout though.

    Eric

    I Love A Hand That Meets My Own,

    With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.

    [email protected]

    1. RetiredRobert | Feb 22, 2005 04:33am | #4

      The shims and the plaster or grout sound like good ideas. I'll probably use the grout for the color match if nothing else. Thanks. How about the use of that new "bowl gasket" I've read about instead of a wax ring? I've always used the wax in the past, the ones with the rubber extension, and never had a problem, but this one is on the second floor and I'd hate to have a leak show up a couple of months from now in the first floor ceiling. Any experience with this item? Its a plastic funnel-like tube with a rubber gasket that seals around the horn of the toilet and o-rings that seal inside the floor drain. Is it any better than a wax ring?

      1. User avater
        EricPaulson | Feb 22, 2005 04:40am | #5

        Don't know, but they do have a wax ring with a urethane ring with in it.I Love A Hand That Meets My Own,

        With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.

        [email protected]

      2. BryanKlakamp | Feb 22, 2005 06:40am | #6

        That rubber toilet seal is made by Fernco. I have used it several times, and I will not use a wax ring again.

        The next person who has to remove the toilet, for whatever reason, and then put it back on, will thank you for it.

        The bottom of the toilet must be clean. And it will stick well. You can remove the toilet, and it will not come off. There is no waxy mess. If the toilet rocks, you will not lose the seal. It self-centers the toilet, so no more wondering if you got it centered or not.

        They cost around $3. Not that much more than a wax ring.

        What can I say? It's one of those "less than $10" like tools tht everybody always loves.

        Bryan"Objects in mirror appear closer than they are."

        Klakamp Construction, Findlay, Ohio

  3. andybuildz | Feb 22, 2005 03:03am | #3

    I dry fit it first....then put in the ring....then I use plaster of paris under the whole deal to keep it solid and level.
    Be dumped on
    a...

    The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!

    When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..

      I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,

    I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.

    I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you

    and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.

     

     


     

     

  4. blue_eyed_devil | Feb 22, 2005 06:59am | #7

    I had a plumber who installed the toilet without shimming or mud on a tile floor. The tiles themselves were rough. The toilet broke.

    He re-installed it with matching grout. It didn't break and looks better than the caulk.

    blue

    Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!

    Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!

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