My Weekend Project | Sturdy Toilet Edition

Hey all, I got this project done over the long holiday weekend, and figured I'd share it with you all. 

The floor around the toilet in my bathroom was a bit soft, and if you sat on the toilet you could rock side to side a bit. It's been on my list for a couple months now, so I finally decided to jump into it and take care of it. I have to say, I am happy with the results!

Not pictured: Removal of old vinyl flooring and backingboard underneath. 

Removal of old floorboards around the toilet area:

Add in some better bracing with 2x6s:

Put some nice subfloor on top and a new toilet flange:

I then decided to put a coat of Kills Premium on all the wood flooring before I put down my LVP to give some layer of waterproofing. (Started with just enough to get the toilet back installed so I had a functional bathroom again!) Installed the LVP Flooring around the toilet area as well.

New wax ring, and put the toilet back. First time messing with toilet mounting and wax rings and all, but wasn't too hard!

Then over the next few nights I finished up the rest of the flooring. The only bit left is under the sink which still has some stubborn backing board to get rid of, and it won't be perfect as I am out of whole pieces of flooring, but I believe I have enough to do it with only one seam. I also need to do some caulking.  

I'm pretty happy with it overall, and the grey in the flooring even makes the purple bathtub and sink not so terrible! Get a shower curtain and windows curtain to suit and it will tie it all together pretty well I think. 

The only potential issue I can think of, is that apparently you are supposed to leave a gap around the edge of the flooring for it to expand and contract with temperature. I didn't realize this, so I went right up to the edges. I don't anticipate it expanding and contracting very much though. In the same regard I don't think you are supposed to caulk the edges of it, but especially around the edge of the tub it is definitely getting some caulk so water doesn't get underneath. 

Looks good.  I did the same thing with one of mine a few year back.  Rocking on the john just doesn't seem like a good plan.

As an aside- "Luxury Vinyl Plank" is undoubtedly the worst name ever, as far as I'm concerned.  Luxury has become a word to describe a Zimmer with zebra fun fur seats, Vinyl is a poor imitation of leather, and Plank is an unfinished chunk of lumber.

Maybe its just me. 

looks good. i like the floors. 

Looks nice.  Did you use marine grade plywood for the floor?  Or otherwise water resistant plywood?  Just because?
 

I dig the purple sink and tub. Ours are green, with a matching toilet.

As much as home wrenching is not my thing, I get great satisfaction out of dodging the repair cost. How homeowners who cant do this stuff survive financially is beyond me, cause with a house, it is always something that need$ fixing.

Just did a similar rocking toilet job.  Turned out the plumber had not fastened the flange to the concrete and it was loose. Easy fix once I figured it out.  Billed the wife 500 brownie points.

Pete

NOHOME said:

As much as home wrenching is not my thing, I get great satisfaction out of dodging the repair cost. How homeowners who cant do this stuff survive financially is beyond me, cause with a house, it is always something that need$ fixing

I’m with you.  Once we hired a guy and my wife hassled me - how does it feel to hire somebody, big guy?

Dr. Hess said:

Looks nice.  Did you use marine grade plywood for the floor?  Or otherwise water resistant plywood?  Just because?
 

No, it's just regular subfloor plywood. I did put a coat of Kills on for a layer of waterproofing. 

I'd drop a deuce in it.  Looks good.

And a place to hang your baseball hat.

Nice job AWSX, I'll be doing the same thing next month; relocating a toilet and installing a 3 X 4ft. shower.  Some people just know how to have a good time, eh?

In reply to 914Driver :

Hahahaha, that hook was there when I moved in. I think that the first plausible use case that's been suggested! Too bad I don't wear a ball cap...

It should handle years of heavy work