Plumbing/tiling advice needed

well-medicated

I started what I thought be a quick job - tiling the floor in the ensuite.

I have the plywood screwed down and have everything I need for the tiling. Now I can't help wondering if I would be better removing the sink and toilet before tiling, rather than tiling round them.

Yes, it would definitely look much superior, but it's the extra work/worry/cost I have to consider.

I think I'd be able to remove the porcelain, but is it a difficult task to replace and reconnect the toilet and sink, bearing in mind that they would be sitting so much higher? I have to redecorate afterwards so I'm not worried about the walls.

If I decided not to do it myself, could someone in the know tell me how long and difficult to connect, or what it might cost if I had a plumber in?

Why do my little tasks always end up as major headaches?:think:


Thanks in advance

W-M

epaway

Hi,

I fitted a new bathroom a couple of months back. After this, the tiler came round and said it would look far better if i removed suite to let him plywood and tile right under. Having put the suite in, and feeling pretty confident, I did so. However, I had next to no give in the piping I had run to the toilet and sink. the waste up to the sink was also short. After scratching my head for a bit, I was able to extend the piping without too much heartache. But in hindsight I should just have stuck a flexi connector in.

As for the toilet waste, there were no issues there.

That's my experience anyway, so make what you will, and good luck!

mikeopvc

Did my bathroom just before christmas and my tiler wasn't bothered about tiling around the toilet, he used a neat tool which gives a template of the shape to be tiled around and cut the tile to suit, needed a bit of filing down but it looks perfect. If you dont get it spot on you could always apply a small bead of silicone around.

markleedsuk

There are advantages and disadvantages to both,

Tiling Underneath
1, is a neater job
2, if you ever break anything (basin, w/c etc) you can easily replace that item in a few years time, without the worry of having to get exactly the same basin/ w/c to fit the hole left by the tiles.

Tiling around

1, You need to have a good tiler to be able to do it well, and do a neat job.

2, Cheaper/ easier in the short term as you wont have to remove the old suite, but may cost you in the long run if you cant get a match on your exisiting suite later down the road should you damage anything.

To tile under is usually better, providing you are not having to mess about with crusty old fittings and lead pipework, if the bathroom has recently been refurbished then it is an easy job to take everything out apart from the bath/shower.

well-medicated

So, would I be able to find flexible pipes to extend height in toilet and sink?

jblack_2

The flexi pipes like these will connect the hot and cold water supplies to the sink and toilet;

http://screwfix.com/prods/13143/Plumbing/Flexible-Hoses/Flexible-Tap-Connector-15mm-x-x-300mm

For the toilet waste an off-set connector should give you enough play;

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/12145/Plumbing/Macerators-Connectors/WC-Pan-Connector-Offset

The sink waste may need to be renewed depending on if it is push-fit or solvent weld you have.

HTH, J

bryan123_2

Hi personaly I would just tile to the toilet and sink making sure the toilot/sink were quartered (ie four tiles land on each) radial cuts can be tricky but any half decent tiler would be able to finish your floor including grouting/siliconing in under a day.Hope this helpsbryan the tiler