Could someone tell me the correct way to install snap-in laminate flooring around a stool? Should I remove the stool and install flooring around the flange, or leave the stool in place and install around it? If I floor around the stool flange will the flange need to be raised to compensate for the flooring….how would that be done? Thanks
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Remove the bowl.
Flange should accomodate the increase in height.(5/8"?) Unless there are already several floors....in which case a flange extender (don't know actual term) may be necessary.
You may however need new bolts. Often times the bolts have been clipped just long enough to hold bowl as it exists.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
The flange should be flush with the top of what will be your finished floor, so if you put down the new floor trimed around the flange and there is more then 1/8-1/4 difference in height then you should be ok because the actual bolts in flanges on most toilets that i have seen have been roughly an 1 1/4 -1 1/2 long, and , there is also a wax ring that gets placed on top of the flange before the toilet is placed back on .If your floor is higher like someone else said like 5/8 then talk with a plumber about ways to raise the flange height , most likely he would want to install a new flange because using a filler plate is really over extending the use of the bolts in the way that they pull the bowl down towards the floor.
You may be looking for trouble installing laminate flooring around a toilet. Small leaks, spills, misses, and condensation drips from the tank will all contribute to you doing this job again sooner than you think.
If you really want to use a laminate floor, look at the ones designed w/ a "water retardant" backer.......the material the floor is made from has been treated so as not to absorb water and swell.
I have had success w/ Armstrong, but others probably make it as well.
Thanks for the info. Your probably right about about the moisture problem potential. I have a laminate floor in my kitchen and I remember the warning from the installers not to let water stand on the floor. Standing water could possibly seep into the joints. I'll let my customer know of the potential problem. Thanks again. Joe