How to Tile Around a Toilet

Cutting and placing tiles to fit perfectly around the base of a toilet needs careful planning and precision. To get the best results read our detailed step by step guide that covers everything, including tools, you need to know on how to tile around a toilet.

What Tools Do I Need to Tile Around a Toilet?

Below is a list of the tools that you will need to tile around a toilet:

• Tile scribe
• Tile nipper
• Tile file or fine sandpaper
• Adhesive spreader
• Masking tape
• Cloth
• Pencil or pen
• Scissors
• Paper

What Safety Equipment Do I Need to Tile Around a Toilet?

Below is a list of the recommended safety equipment that you will need when tiling around a toilet:

• Safety goggles or glasses
• Protective gloves

What Materials Do I Need to Tile Around a Toilet?

Below is a list of the materials that you will need to tile around a toilet:

• Floor tiles
• Tile adhesive

How to Prepare for Tiling Around a Toilet

To prepare for tiling around a toilet, you want to ensure that you have already tiled the rest of the room. The toilet and any other obstacles should be the last things you tile around as these are the most difficult.

Before you start tiling around the toilet, you should wait for the rest of the tiles to dry so that you can step on them without them moving around at all.

The best way to tile around a toilet is to create an accurate paper template so that you have something to work off and know how the tiles will need to be cut. We will go over how to do this and provide more information in our step-by-step guide on 'how to tile a bathroom floor around a toilet' below.

How to Tile Around a Toilet Yourself

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to cut tiles around a toilet and how to install tiling around a toilet:

Step 1

Cut a piece of paper to the same size as your tiles

Step 2

Then, in the tile area that will come into contact with the toilet, cut several slits around 5-10mm wide that are slightly longer than the obstruction.

Step 3

Place the paper tile into position next to your existing tiles with the cut slits next to the obstruction. Be sure to leave space for the grout gap.

Step 4

Carefully fold back each strip, pressing them against the toilet.

Step 5

Then, draw a line with a pen or pencil along the shape of the obstruction.

Step 6

Remove the paper tile and cut along the line using scissors.

Step 7

Place the paper tile back into position and check again that the position is exactly right.

Step 8

Then, secure the paper to a new tile using tape and mark along the edge of your template using a pencil or pen.

Step 9

Scratch over the marked line using a tile scribe. This will help the tile cut cleanly at the mark.

Step 10

Then, use a tile nipper to take small chunks off the tile. Keep chipping away at it until you reach the marked line.

Step 11

Once you've cut right up to the mark, use a tile file or some very fine sandpaper to smooth over the edging.

Step 12

Then, wipe the tile down with a wet cloth to eliminate any dust or remaining splinters.

Step 13

Now, check that the tile fits snugly against the toilet.

Step 14

Once you're happy with the fit of the tile, apply adhesive and press it into the gap.

Step 15

Repeat these steps for all of the tiles around the toilet.

Tile Types

Below is a list of the most popular tile types for tiling around your toilet:

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles come in a range of colours, sizes, shapes, and finishes. These are strong tiles that are easy to maintain and are cost-effective.

PROS

✔ Durable

✔ Cost-effective

✔ Extensive range of colours and styles

CONS

✖ Not as impervious to water as porcelain tiles

Vinyl Tiles

These are the most common type of tile used in bathrooms as they are easy to install, eco-friendly, and less prone to cracks or breakages. They are also low in cost compared to other tiles and come in a range of colours and styles.

PROS

✔ Cheap to buy

✔ Resilient

✔ Easy to install

✔ Come in a range of colours and styles

✔ Eco-friendly

CONS

✖ Not as beautiful as some other types of tiles

Marble Tiles

Marble tiles are traditional and sophisticated, and they come in a range of sizes and styles. They add an interesting range of textured colour to the bathroom.

PROS

✔ Very beautiful type of tile

CONS

✖ Expensive

✖ Can become scratched or stained

Granite Tiles

Granite tiles are very attractive and versatile. They also come in a range of colours and styles, and they are resistant to moisture and stains.

PROS

✔ Strong and durable

✔ Aesthetically pleasing

CONS

✖ Can be slippery

✖ Expensive

Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain is hard, durable, moisture-resistant, and less susceptible to scratches than other tile types. They come in a number of different colours and styles to suit your taste.

PROS

✔ Very durable

✔ Lots of colour options

✔ Aesthetically pleasing

✔ Very water-resistant

CONS

✖ Expensive

Tile Maintenance

There are several ways in which you can easily maintain your floor tiles and keep them looking and performing their best. Below is a list of things that you can do to keep on top of maintaining your tiles:

• Remove excess dirt regularly
• Do routine deep floor cleans
• Re-grout your tiles periodically
• Avoid walking on the tiles with shoes on
• Repair or replace damaged floor tiles as soon as possible

How to Remove Tiles

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to remove floor tiles:

1. Break apart the first few tiles using a chisel and hammer
2. Remove these broken pieces and place them in a bucket.
3. Inspect the underneath of the floor and make sure there is no damage to the underneath.
4. Use a pry bar to pull up the pieces of tile that aren't easily removed.
5. Once you've got your starting point up, continue to remove the tiles across the whole length of the floor using a long-handled floor scraper.
6. Once all the tiles have been removed, inspect the floor underneath. You may need to remove underlayment or floor tile adhesive.
7. Once everything has been removed, all that needs to be done now is the clean-up. Clean the area thoroughly and dispose of all of the old tiles.
8. Your floor is now ready to be re-tiled or re-done however you please.

FAQs

Sources

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHUUsncikxA
https://www.homestratosphere.com/bathroom-tile-types
https://www.tiles-direct.com/blog/2017/03/5-tips-for-taking-care-of-your-floor-tiles
https://www.budgetdumpster.com/blog/how-to-remove-tile-flooring