Toilet flange problems also cause problems with the flooring of the bathroom. Although, this kind of problem is much less common than the one that occurs around toilets, it can happen nonetheless. You might also have to deal with a cracked foundation if your toilet has been sitting for quite some time. Cracks usually show up as white or yellow spots which gradually spread across the entire floor until they fill up the whole area. This is why it’s better to check your flooring periodically to make sure that there’s nothing that might be causing it to weaken.
How to Fix Rotten Floor Around the Toilet
How to fix a rotten floor around the toilet flange and water damage on the bathroom floor are two different things. One can be made easier than the other, depending on how the home owner approaches the problem. The first thing to do is to make sure that you have sufficient water supply and the need for emergency services. If you’re the one doing all the plumbing work, it’s better to prevent any problems than to have to deal with them after they’ve already manifested themselves. Toilet flange problems arise because of the combined effects of standing water, deteriorating state of flooring due to age or years of exposure to moisture and inadequate drainage.
When you know what to do with a flooded bathroom floor repair water damage problem, you can start working on the flooring. Check for leaks around the area, including under the sink, behind shower wall and any other place that water may have gathered. Make sure the floor is dry by using a wet/dry shop vac. Then, you can work on how to fix a rotten floor joist and water damage in the bathroom floor repair.
Repairing Rotten Floor Around the Toilet Due to Water Damage
- The first thing you’ll want to do is to check for cracks in the flooring. If the flooring is cracked, it might be easier to replace it than repairing the baseboard or any other part of the bathroom floor. In case the flooring is completely destroyed, you can decide on whether you want to fix the flooring section by section or have it replaced all at once.
- Before you can fix the flooring, you need to eliminate the standing water that may be causing the problems. If the source of the water is a leaking shower or toilet, you should find out how to locate and fix it. If the water is coming from another part of the house, you need to check the plumbing and see if it is responsible for the problem. The best thing to do in this case is to replace the existing water source or shut off the supply to the house.
- When you’re repairing common problems in a bathroom, it’s a good idea to check the underside of the bathroom floor as well. You can often find it covered with mold and mildew if there is an extensive amount of moisture. Check the underside of the floor and make sure that it is flat and clean. If there are holes in the flooring, you may need to fill them with epoxy or other waterproofing material. Keep in mind that an improperly installed waterproofing will not only damage your flooring but also your bathroom fixtures, such as the toilets and sinks.
How to Replace Rotten Bathroom Floor
The first thing you need to consider is where you’ll be installing the new flooring. To make this easier, you can use an inch-drilling tool to determine where you’ll need to place the new flooring. Then, use a rubber mallet to pound in the areas where you’ll be cutting. You can use a wood float to hammer in any nails that you might need. Make sure that the floor is flat before you begin pouring the new flooring material down the drain.
Once you’ve located your cut down toilet flange, use a wet/dry as to remove any excess dirt and debris. Work your way slowly down the drain, using a brush to clear any large pieces of debris. Once you’ve finished, check your newly refinished floor. Make sure that it’s level and that there is no extra room for water to collect. This can be tricky because sometimes when a toilet flange has sunk, the floor underneath may have slightly below it. If this is the case, you may need to add a little bit of wood to make the floor equal and even.