Laminate flooring is a top choice for your room floor. But, can you use it under a bathroom toilet and sink?
You can install a laminate floor under a bathroom toilet or sink. But, first, you must remove them first and then install the floor. If you are installing the toilet, sink, and floor simultaneously, you must install the laminate first.
Also, you must use a waterproof underlayment and seal the boards. Though laminate boards are water-resistant, a sealer will help them last longer and repel moisture better.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- Laminate floors are easier and faster to install than other types of floors.
- You can remove stains from them easier.
- They are moisture-resistant (to a degree) and won’t be damaged by water.
- The bathroom will look glossy and classy if you use laminate planks.
- You can replace damaged boards without affecting the rest of the floor.
Cons
- They are only moisture resistant from top to bottom. So, the floor can get damaged if water gets underneath them.
- Constant exposure to moisture can cause water to get between the boards.
- They get slippery if exposed to water.
- You can’t install them on uneven bathroom floors.
Laminate Under Toilet
You can use laminate flooring under a toilet because the planks are water and moisture-resistant and can withstand constant exposure to water.
Laminate planks are water-resistant from top to the bottom, but not from bottom to top. So, it’s important to wipe off water spills from the planks to prevent the water from penetrating through the sides.
You should know that laminate flooring isn’t the best option for a bathroom floor.
Install The Flooring First
You must install the laminate boards first and then the toilet. That’s because the laminate floors expand and contract based on temperature changes. So, after installing the flooring on a bathroom, you must wait until the boards acclimate before installing the toilet.
If you install the toilet first, it can cause water damage and cracks on the floor. That’s because the caulking around the toilet’s base will begin to crack and break, causing water to gush out whenever you flush, wash, or use it. The cracking happens because the boards will start to acclimate and cover more space.
Asides from this, removing it before installing the floor makes it easier to replace the toilet or fix plumbing errors. On the other hand, if you installed the floor after installing the toilet, you’ll have to damage the floor to fix or replace it. So whatever you do, always remove the toilet before installing a laminate floor in the bathroom.
How To Install a Laminate Floor Under Bathroom Toilet and Sink?
Installing laminate flooring in a bathroom isn’t easy. You need the right tools and a step-by-step guide. Luckily, we have offered them both.
Here are the tools you need for this task:
- Waterproof underlayment
- A rubber mallet
- Measuring Tape
- Pencils
- Utility knives
- A power saw
- Cleaning solvents
- Clean mops and rags
- A sealant
1. Remove The Toilet and Sink
First, remove the toilet and bathroom sink if they are installed. If you don’t remove them, it will be difficult to accurately measure the floor. Also, the caulking around the toilet (and sink) will get damaged.
You must contact a professional plumber if you are inexperienced.
If you haven’t installed them yet, skip this step.
2. Set an Underlay or Subfloor
Laminate floors are moisture and water-resistant from top to bottom, but not from bottom to top. So, you must install a waterproof underlayment or moisture-resistant subfloor to protect them from water that gets underneath.
The underlayment will also help the planks to sit and stay firm on the floor.
3. Install The Boards
After you install the underlayment, install the laminate boards.
Start by covering the larger side of the bathroom. While applying the boards, you must use a joining sealant or laminate glue to make the planks stick better to the floor.
The glue will prevent water from getting underneath the planks. Also, you can use a rubber mallet to gently hit the planks into the floor.
After you lay the planks, you must lock them with each other (using the click-and-lock mechanism).
4. Trim The Boards
After installing the laminate boards, you must trim the edges of the planks that are out of place. You should pay attention to the corners of the floor and the door.
Also, you need to carve and trim the spaces where the toilet and sink will sit.
5. Re-install The Toilet and Sink
To re-install the toilet and bathroom sink, call a plumber.
Also, apply a caulking compound around the base and pipes of the sink and toilet to prevent water leaks to the floor.
Protecting Laminate Floors in Bathroom
Laminate flooring will only hold up in a bathroom if you prevent water leaks under the planks. The biggest factor that can damage a laminate flooring in a bathroom is water.
Laminate floors are made of 90% wood material. Since wood is porous, 90% of the planks are also porous. However, they have a water-resistant top layer that prevents water from penetrating their surface.
So, you must protect the floor completely from water to allow the planks to last longer. To do this, install a waterproof underlayment underneath the floor. This will protect it from moisture and water underneath.
Also, you must apply laminate glue under the planks while applying them. The glue will keep the planks in their place and prevent water from getting underneath the planks. You must also use glue between the planks. This will make the planks airtight so the water can’t get between them.
Finally, you must seal the planks. A sealer, such as polyurethane, will form a glossy moisture-resistant layer over the floor and prevent any moisture from penetrating it.
Here are other things you can do:
- Use a Waterproof Mat – A waterproof mat will prevent water from getting into the boards. You can use a transparent floor cover if you don’t want to cover the look of the floor. Use a transparent nylon cover as it will be waterproof and transparent enough to still reveal the laminate finish.
- Mop The Floor Regularly – Mopping regularly will reduce the moisture content on your floor. You should also do this after you take a bath.
- Install Bathroom Drainages – Bathroom drainages are plumbing fixtures installed on bathroom floors. The drainage helps to funnel water from the bathroom floor to the sewage system. Usually, bathroom floors are designed with one drainage, but you can install 2 or 3 to keep water off the floor.
Final Words
You can install laminate flooring in a bathroom under a sink and toilet. But, the flooring must be installed before the toilet and sink. Also, you must use a waterproof underlayment, glue down, and seal the planks.
