How to Install a Laminate Floor Under an Existing Toilet

Laminate flooring

Laminate flooring installation requires leveling the floor, installing underlayment, and laying the laminate flooring out in the proper pattern. Typically, the laminate is 1/4-inch away from the edge of walls and fixtures to allow for flexing of the wood. Installing laminate around the toilet requires the laminate to be installed beneath the toilet with a hole cut out for the toilet drain. The process is relatively simple and can be completed in a half hour with the proper tools.

Things You'll Need

• Open-faced wrench
• Drill with screwdriver attachment
• Cut out tool
• Hand saw
• Marker
• Scraper

Instructions

1. Turn the water off to the toilet, and flush the toilet to drain the system. Remove the retaining bolts on the lower sides of the toilet. Pull the toilet free and set to the side. Scrape off the remnants of the wax ring from the toilet flange.

2. Unscrew the retaining screws holding the toilet flange to the ground with a handheld drill and screwdriver attachment.

3. Install the laminate flooring according to the manufacturer's directions until you get to the toilet drain hole. Measure the piece of laminate that will cover the drain hole. Install the piece if the hole will only be partially covered by the piece. Set the piece in place and mark the location of the hole with a marker if the piece will fully cover the hole.

4. Cut out the hole for the drain with the piece in place or following the marks made on the piece of laminate. A cut-out tool with a guide and cutting attachment allows you to cut a near perfect circle by following the sides of the hole or the marks you made in Step 3. Repeat for a second board if the hole was only partially covered by the first board.

5. Install the floor flange on top of the laminate. Drill the screws into place with a handheld drill. Wait till any glue used during the installation of the flooring dries before reinstalling the toilet.

Tips & Warnings

• You can lay a bead of caulk along the connection of the flange and the laminate to create a more stable seal. If you are installing the laminate over cement and the flange uses cement anchors, mark the location of the anchor holes on the laminate to make screwing the anchors into place simpler.

References

• "Lowes: Complete Home Improvement and Repair"; Don Vandervort; 2005
• Flooring and Carpets: How to Install Laminate Flooring