
How to Fix a Rotten Floor Around the Toilet
- 1.. Turn the toilet’s water supply valve clockwise to shut off water to the tank.
- 2.. Flush the toilet to empty the tank. Soak up the last of the water inside the tank with a sponge, wringing it out...
- 3.. Remove the two hold-down bolts -- one on either side of the toilet bowl base -- that secure the toilet to the floor.
How to repair a rotted floor under the toilet?
- check subfloor to see if areas need to be removed. Remove the Damaged Floor Material.
- Add the Support Framing as Needed. Use 2x6 lumber to double or “sister” the existing floor framing and provide a solid base for the new plywood subflooring.
- Measure and Cut the Plywood.
- secure plywood to joists.
How do you replace a bathroom floor?
How to Replace a Rotting Bathroom Floor
- Important Safety Considerations. Before attempting to replace a rotting floor yourself, you should thoroughly understand all elements of the process.
- Removing a Rotting Floor. The first step in replacing a rotting floor is removing the old one. ...
- Replacing a Rotting Floor. ...
How to replace damaged subflooring under toilet?
- Start exposing the floor to fresh air by removing any rugs or furniture. ...
- Any wet drywall needs to be removed anyway, so remove the ceiling drywall below the damage to expose the floor joists.
- Create air movement with box fans ( available on Amazon ), both on top of the finished flooring and the floor below. ...
How to fix bathroom floor?
The places you should look at very carefully include:
- toilet
- sink
- bathtub or shower
- kitchen sink
- drain
- ceiling pipes

How do you repair a rotten floor under a toilet?
0:456:00Fix rotting floor under toilet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd extend it up a few inches four or five inches. Just to have a little bit of extra pipe. For ifMoreAnd extend it up a few inches four or five inches. Just to have a little bit of extra pipe. For if you ever have to work on it in the future.
How do you fix water damaged bathroom floor?
Steps to Take to Fix the FloorsTurn off the water. Close the main water valve so you can prevent any more water from coming into the room as you work.Prep the area. ... Inspect the area. ... Remove damages. ... Give time for area to dry. ... Reinforce the joists. ... Cover the gap.
Why is the floor around my toilet soft?
A spongy floor around the toilet is a strong indication that the subfloor has absorbed water. Peel back the flooring around the fixture and you will likely discover swollen, discolored wood -- a sure sign that the subfloor needs replacing.
How do you cover a gap between floor and toilet?
Apply a thin, even bead of caulk around the base of the toilet to cover the gap along the floor and hide the shims. If necessary, smooth the caulk with your finger, wiping your finger clean frequently with a paper towel or a rag.
Does wet subfloor need to be replaced?
“Adequately protected from moisture, most subfloor materials can be expected to last for the lifespan of the home.” However, if the subfloor is consistently exposed to moisture, you may need to replace it after 20 to 30 years or sooner.
How much does it cost to repair a bathroom floor?
Cost to Repair FlooringFloor Repair CostNational average cost$1,600Average range$500-$3,000Low-end$100High-end$10,000May 2, 2022
Can you replace bathroom floor without removing toilet?
They often ask if they should remove the toilet before installing a new bathroom floor. While it is possible to install a new linoleum or ceramic tile floor without removing the toilet, it is not recommended and actually can increase the labor involved in the project.
How much does it cost to replace a toilet subfloor?
Cost to Redo SubfloorPrice to Replace SubfloorNational average cost$1,500Average range$600-$2,400Low-end$150High-end$36,000Jul 21, 2021
How do you know if your bathroom floor is rotting?
If your bathroom floor is rotting, you may be able to tell in several ways. The floor could move underfoot or be soft to the touch. Your floor could also smell or have discoloration, visible mold or mildew, and warped walls can also be an indicator.
Is it a good idea to caulk around a toilet?
Caulk Keeps the Toilet Secure Think again! Caulk keeps your toilet secure the floor, and avoids any chance of injury or toilet malfunctioning. It's actually required by the International Plumbing Code to caulk a toilet to the floor, and now knowing the reasoning behind it, why would you not want to?
Should you grout or caulk around a toilet?
Grout will support the toilet better. Show activity on this post. Code requires toilets to be caulked at the floor, that, IMO is a mistake. If the toilet does develop a leak, it will be restricted under the toilet and the subfloor, and may leak for a while before it is detected.
Should you silicone around the base of a toilet?
Plumbing codes require caulking a toilet to the floor. This is arguably the single most important reason. In most parts of the United States, it is a requirement of building code to caulk around toilet bases.
How much does it cost to replace bathroom floor rot?
Subfloor Replacement Costs by RoomRoomAverage SizeAverage Materials Cost (Plywood)Kitchen175 – 200 square feet$263 – $300Bathroom115 – 220 square feet$173 – $330Living room220 square feet$330Basement1,500 square feet$2,2501 more row
What happens if water gets under tile?
Water can cause the subsurface to swell and warp, and pushing the tile to lift even harder. When excess moisture is present, it could cause mold and mildew growth, eating away the mortar even further.
How do you fix water damaged plywood?
3:476:04How to replace water damaged plywood subfloor; DIY NC Floor GuysYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo that you can break the plywood down into smaller sections that makes it easier to tear. Out. ThenMoreSo that you can break the plywood down into smaller sections that makes it easier to tear. Out. Then you just use whatever tools you have on hand and some elbow grease and tear.
How hard is it to replace a bathroom floor?
0:001:01Replace Your Bathroom Floor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first row along the longest wall and the next side it seems should butt together seal them withMoreThe first row along the longest wall and the next side it seems should butt together seal them with moisture resistant tape vinyl planks float they click together rather than attaching to the floor.
For minor rot, a flange support is a quick fix
Minor wood rot around a toilet flange doesn't always mean you have to replace the subfloor. Solve the problem with a metal flange support instead.
Install the flange support
If you discover minor rot around the toilet flange, install a closet flange support under the flange to transfer the weight of the toilet to solid wood.
Required Tools for this Project
Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.
Required Materials for this Project
Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.
How to remove a toilet that is too heavy?
If the toilet is too heavy to lift safely, separate the tank from the bowl by removing the three bolts that hold these two components together.
What does it mean when a toilet is spongy?
A spongy floor around the toilet is a strong indication that the subfloor has absorbed water. Peel back the flooring around the fixture and you will likely discover swollen, discolored wood -- a sure sign that the subfloor needs replacing. The job is laborious, messy and time consuming, so take a moment to assess whether this is a task you want ...
Most Common Causes Of Rotted Bathroom Floors & Subfloors
Given that the bathroom likely has more plumbing in it than most other rooms in your home, the most common cause of rotted flooring and water damage is going to be leaks.
How Do I Know If My Bathroom Floor Is Rotted?
Rotted subflooring is a result of unresolved and ongoing water damage. When water leaks or splashes are allowed to continue to accumulate, your flooring in bathroom will continue to absorb moisture, and over time as it remains in contact with the subflooring will begin to cause rot.
Should You Repair Or Replace?
In most instances of severe water damage, the best option is to have the subflooring in your bathroom completely replaced.
How To Replace A Rotted Bathroom Subfloor
Replacing a Rotted Bathroom Floor / Subfloor can take anywhere from 8 to 24 hours of actual labor time, so you’ll want to plan in advance so you have enough time to finish
How Much Does It Cost To Replace Rotted Bathroom Floor & Does Insurance Cover It?
On average, replacing a plywood subfloor costs between $800 and $1600 in a 300 square foot bathroom.
Can I Replace The Rotted Subfloor And Flooring Myself?
Replacing your own rotted flooring and subflooring is possible, but will require some specialized equipment and materials. If you feel confident in your ability and have access to the necessary tools and equipment/materials needed, it is entirely feasible to replace the rotted subflooring yourself.
When To Call A Professional
Water Damaged subfloors & floor joists can lead to serious structural issues, and need to be properly repaired to ensure the safety of your bathroom floor.
How to fix a toilet that stops flushing?
BEST FIX: Adjust the Chain or Fill Valve. If the toilet starts to flush but then stops, the chain may be too loose (causing the flapper to close prematurely) or the fill valve may be allowing insufficient water into the tank. Here, toilet repairs can be as simple as adjustments made to these components.
How to clear a clogged toilet bowl?
Clearing the clog is super simple, and you probably have a toilet plunger already on hand. Simply insert the plunger into the bowl while it’s still full of water, pressing the mouth of the plunger firmly against the opening at the bottom of the bowl to form a seal.
Why does my toilet pool water?
Pooling water around the base of the toilet is always a cause for concern, and it’s often the result of a leaking wax ring seal. To test if the wax ring has gone bad, squirt some food coloring into the toilet bowl and then flush the toilet.
How to get water out of a water tank after flushing?
Some residual water will remain after flushing—be sure to bail it out with a cup or use a wet-type vacuum. Disconnect the water supply valve from the bottom of the tank by twisting the nut loose where the hose meets the tank. If unable to do this by hand, use a crescent wrench.
How many pumps to clean a bathroom?
Don’t be overly enthusiastic; forceful plunging is likely to splash dirty water all over the bathroom. After eight to 10 pumps, lift the plunger away from the bottom of the bowl. If you’ve freed the clog, the water will drain—it usually takes just one or two attempts to free a clog.
How far down should the water level be from the top of the overflow valve?
If the water level is lower than one-half inch from the top of the overflow valve, there probably isn’t enough water in the tank to completely flush the toilet, so you should adjust the fill valve to raise the water level, which will provide more water for each flush.
Finding The Main Cause Of The Problem
So, in order to clean the floor, you should look into what exactly is causing it to get so dirty.
How to Properly Clean the Floor Around Your Toilet
Before getting into your deep cleaning, you’ll want to either sweep or vacuum to remove any larger dust particles or other debris.
Frequency Of Cleaning
This process should be done at the very, very least, once a month—however, it is recommended to clean your toilet once a week to keep germs at bay.
