
How to Repair the Floor Under a Toilet
- Remove the Toilet. Turn water off to the toilet by closing the valve on the water line behind it. Disconnect the flex water line to the toilet at the valve.
- Cut Away the Rotten Wood. Cut at least a few inches past the rotted wood under the toilet wood floor area with a reciprocating saw, up to the closest joists.
- Make Your Measurements. Measure the open area and cut a new piece of 3/4 inch plywood to fit. ...
- Repair Floor Under Toilet. Nail the plywood to the floor joists. Make sure to make your nails flush with the wood. ...
- Reinstall Toilet. Clean bottom of toilet by removing old wax ring and all debris. You can use a small putty knife to scrape it and then clean with steel wool.
How do you fix the floor under a toilet?
How to Repair the Floor Under a Toilet. Turn water off to the toilet by closing the valve on the water line behind it. Disconnect the flex water line to the toilet at the valve. Once it has water supply and can no longer refill, flush and plunge the water out of the toilet.
Can you replace the flooring around a toilet?
But if your floor is severely rotted, say more than an inch beyond the flange, you’re stuck replacing the flooring around the toilet. Flange supports are available at home centers and plumbing supply stores for either cast iron, plastic or brass flanges.
How do you fix wood rot around a toilet flange?
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. 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.
Can you repair dry rot around a toilet?
Repair dry rot in the floor around toilet. Because of leaky toilet seals, pest inspectors often find dry rot in the subflooring beneath the toilet area. Cost to repair this type of damage will vary greatly depending on the extent of the damage and the type of flooring.

How do I repair the floor under my toilet?
1:183:01How to Fix a Toilet - Wooden Sub-Flooring Flange Repair - Part 3 ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey must be cut to fit and be mounted between the floor joists. And high enough to support theMoreThey must be cut to fit and be mounted between the floor joists. And high enough to support the replacement floor with the new support struts in place screw them in with the deck screws.
How much does it cost to repair floor under toilet?
Subfloor Repair CostCost to Fix SubfloorNational average cost$500Average range$250-$750Low-end$150High-end$2,000Aug 31, 2021
How do you replace a water damaged bathroom subfloor?
0:005:46How to replace repair rotted sub floor, rotten floor. Easy! Home MenderYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst thing I need to do is find out which way my joists are running. I want to reach in and I canMoreFirst thing I need to do is find out which way my joists are running. I want to reach in and I can feel the joist this. Way.
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.
Will a plumber replace subfloor?
Yes, plumbers may be able to replace the subfloor. But more suitable professionals are handymen, carpenters, or contractors. Of course, you can do it yourself. Subfloor damage is mostly due to rot, and signs include a musty smell, squeaky floors, cracked tiles, loose fixtures, and sunken floors.
Are rotten floor joists covered by insurance?
Foundation damage caused by shifting or settling earth or sagging floors caused by rotting floor joists are typically not covered by homeowners insurance. If the damage is caused by flooding or an earthquake, you'll typically require separate coverage.
How much does it cost to replace a subfloor in a bathroom?
On average, replacing an entire subfloor in a 300-square-foot room can cost between $450 – $2,000....Average Cost to Replace a Subfloor. (300 sq. ft)ItemDIYProfessionalTotal$483$6582 more rows•Oct 8, 2018
How much does it cost to replace a subfloor?
Cost to Repair Subfloor*12Subfloor repair, entire room$300 - $400Subfloor replacement, small area$400 - $500Subfloor replacement, entire room$570 - $720*Prices based on a 500-square-foot room for entire room, 100-square-feet for small area1 more row•Mar 24, 2022
Does wet subfloor need to be replaced?
They may also feel soft or squishy when stepped on. The best choice for damaged subflooring is usually to have it replaced — especially if it is growing mold. In severe situations, it may feel like replacing the flooring is the only action you can take.
Does flooring go under toilet?
If you're installing a new floor, pedestal sink, and toilet, you should install the laminate flooring first so it's under the sink and toilet. Because laminate flooring floats above the sub-floor on top of underlayment, it will expand and contract slightly with the temperature and humidity of the room.
What goes in first flooring or toilet?
Bathroom construction typically follows organized steps. The plywood subfloor is installed first, followed by particleboard overlay. Floor coverings such as vinyl then are placed on top of the subfloor. The toilet goes in next, and the vanity typically is installed last without a top, sink or faucets.
Do flooring companies remove toilets?
Reset toilets and sinks: Whenever we install flooring in a bathroom, we have to remove the toilet (and pedestal sink if you have one) in order to install the flooring underneath.
How much does it cost to replace a subfloor in a bathroom?
On average, replacing an entire subfloor in a 300-square-foot room can cost between $450 – $2,000....Average Cost to Replace a Subfloor. (300 sq. ft)ItemDIYProfessionalTotal$483$6582 more rows•Oct 8, 2018
Is it expensive to replace floor joists?
Floor joist replacement costs $12,500 on average, typically between $5,000 and $20,000. You might pay as little as $2,000, while the largest and most complex jobs cost up to $30,000. Expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $2,000 per joist depending on the extent of the damage and its accessibility to your contractor.
How much does it cost to replace rotten floor joists?
Costs to Repair Surface, Subfloor, and JoistsFloor LayerCost per Square FootTypical CostCovering (carpet, tile, plank)$5 - $30$200 - $800Subfloor$2 - $10$500 - $700Joists$10 - $60$1,000 - $10,000+Jun 2, 2022
How much does it cost to fix a sagging floor?
The typical costs for repairing sagging floors start at $1000 and can go up to $10,000, with the average rate being around $300 per square foot. But this can vary depending on the extent of the damage and materials needed to get the job done.
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.
How to shut off water to toilet tank?
Turn the toilet’s water supply valve clockwise to shut off water to the tank.
How far can you peel a rotted floor?
Peel the flooring several inches beyond the rotted area.
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 ...
What to do if bathroom subfloor is rotten?
If the rot has gone all the way through the bathroom subflooring and is completely rotten, removing it so it can be replaced will be necessary.
What to do if subfloor is rotting?
If there is serious wood rot in your bathroom subfloor, the chance is you will need to replace all of the subflooring which often is best left to a professional.
How Do I Know If My Bathroom Floor Is Rotted?
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.
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.
What to do if water damage to bathroom subfloor?
If the water damage is severe and all of the subfloor in your bathroom is completely rotted and needs to be replaced, this will require taking up/sawing out all of the subfloor and replacing it with new sheets of plywood.
How long does it take to replace a bathroom floor?
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
What to do if water damage takes over bathroom floor?
In cases of serious water damage and wood rot that has taken over all your subfloor in the bathroom, replacing is the safest route to go.
Why does my toilet leak?
It's inevitable; sooner or later your toilet will leak. Whether from a bad wax ring, bolts coming loose or a crack in the porcelain, all toilets leak from time to time. Hopefully you will notice before the water does any damage to the wood subfloor underneath. Replacing a wax ring or even the entire toilet is easier than replacing ...
Can you reinstall tile in a bathroom?
Install flooring. If you were able to take up tile, you can reinstall it. If you had vinyl, you will need to put new flooring throughout the bathroom.
Can you replace a wax ring under a toilet?
Replacing a wax ring or even the entire toilet is easier than replacing the subfloor under a toilet. Most times the sagging subfloor repair only requires replacing a small area, while the flooring itself will have to be totally replaced because you can't match it. Whatever the case, you must fix rotting wood before the toilet goes completely ...
Why do pest inspectors find dry rot in the subflooring?
Because of leaky toilet seals, pest inspectors often find dry rot in the subflooring beneath the toilet area. Cost to repair this type of damage will vary greatly depending on the extent of the damage and the type of flooring.
Can you estimate the cost of dry rot?
The problem is that you can’t really estimate the cost until you see the actual damage, and you can’t get a good look at the damage until you tear up the flooring. Anytime you’re dealing with dry rot the repair involves exposing the affected area, removing the damaged members and the replacement with new materials.
Is it a good idea to remodel a bathroom with dry rot?
The cost can be high. Because the dry rot extends under the tub this is probably a good time to consider a full remodel on the bathroom. As always, get several quotes and make sure that the contractor is licensed, bonded and insured.
