Bathroom Tiling - Advice/Insight Required

[Chris Hall]

Hi Folks,

Hoping someone might be able to give me a few pointers/advice.

We have a guy coming round to laminate our bathroom floor on Thursday.
I've spent all day yesterday removing our old Ceramic Tiles and adhesive (it's a small bathroom but my god it took a lot of time and pain!)

I'm wondering about the following:
- Will the fitter expect the toilet/sink to be removed completely?
- Do you think it's taking the mick to ask him to help doing this? (I'm not an expert on plumbing and my pregnant partner won't be able to assist).
- Are push button toilets screwed into the flooring?

At the moment I've left the toilet and sink in, primarily as the fitter isn't coming until Thursday but also as I'm a bit wary removing them myself.

I just don't want the guy turning up and declaring it's not part of his job and then just leaving!

Any advice etc would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Simon Dale]

I would ask first.

 

[Chris Hall]

I would ask first.

Thanks, I'm trying to get through to the fitter but it's been arranged through our materials provider so struggling.
Also, looking to see if it's reasonable to expect the fitter to help rather than just assume they will or wont.

 

[Simon Dale]

I usually help but not practical in plumbing Lol. Sometimes old sinks etc have rusty screws which can be a pain ! If he's good at what he does he should be able to scribe around sanitary ware

 

[Dumbo]

These tiles you have removed are they from floor and did your fitter know you were doing this

 

[Chris Hall]

These tiles you have removed are they from floor and did your fitter know you were doing this

Yeah they were from the floor.

The supplier/fitter asked for all orginal tiles and adhesive to be removed. When I asked yesterday when picking up the laminate tiles if I'd need to remove the toilet they said probably not if there is a gap underneath. However the tiles with adhesive are higher than the laminate with the underlay will be so I suspect the toilet/pedestal sink will need to be removed otherwise there will be a gap between the floor and the fitting which i assume is not a good idea!

 

[Flintstone]

Hello
The toilet and sink will need to come out to make a nice job of it, and there are tiles under there’s which you need to get up. I would contact the fitter and ask him. If I turned up to a job and got a supprise like that, I wouldn’t be pleased, as it’s probably to him just a couple hours work.

 

[Spare Tool]

Pretty sure he will expect them removed, and the room cleared, if there's service valves on its not too difficult.
However I wouldn't get involved with it if it were me, had an expensive accident refitting a toilet years ago so steer well clear of plumbing in customers houses nowerdays, plus my and at a guess his insurance won't cover it..if your not confident for what it is get a plumber round

 

[Dumbo]

So have you removed all the adhesive

 

[GoneGuy]

If you can’t get hold of the fitter, I would get a plumber to come around to remove and then refit after your new floor has gone down.
Some fitters are not covered by their liability insurance to remove and re fit sanitary ware

 

[GoneGuy]

Have you checked make sure laminate is suitable for bathrooms?

 

[Chris Hall]

Hi, thanks for all the responses.

I'm of the mindset now that the toilet needs to come out at the very least. I'm slightly nervous about doing it but think it should be fine - more worried about getting it back in! The original depth of the outgoing tile and adhesive is a bit more than what is going in with the laminate and underlay so I'm thinking the pipe at the back of the toilet might need adjusted!

The sink pedestal I'm hoping can be kept in and worked around - will be a lot of hassle to get out from what I can see it shouldn't be too much hassle to get it out.

Yes the tile adhesive has been removed - blimey it took a lot of effort.
I've got the floor as smooth as possible.

Yes the laminate is suitable for bathrooms - double checked that before buying.

Thanks for everyone's help and advice - much appreciated.

 

[GoneGuy]

You can get flexible adaptors for back of the toilet.

 

[Chris Hall]

You can get flexible adaptors for back of the toilet.

Yeah - it's just not an area I'm particularly familiar with.

I've just spoken with the plumbing guys who sorted my toilet a while back when it was leaking. They have people on their team who can fit laminate so I've brought them in to do everything.
Think it's safest way as they'll know what they're doing with the fittings and will also be able to get the toilet done properly.

Phew!