Remove and improve the toilet
Since we’ll be installing new tile, we have to remove that noisy toilet. Once it’s out, Ally volunteers to scrape off the old wax ring.
It’s a messy chore, and that’s why we will add a new seal that gets the job done without the mess.
We used Fluidmaster’s “Better Than Wax” seals, which are stackable for recessed flange applications.
David and I performed a kind of “toilet transplant,” installing Fluidmaster’s PerforMAX Complete Toilet Tank Repair Kit that fits all brands of toilets.
It’s easy to install; plus, the components are sturdy enough that they offer a seven-year warranty, so you won’t have to repeat this chore anytime soon.
Install new ceramic floor over existing floor
David sands the tile floor’s surface to rough it up before we apply the primer. We’re coating both the old tile and the bare concrete that was under the vanity.
Once the primer is dry, Chelsea and David mix up the floor-leveling compound. It only needs about four hours to dry, but we’re at the end of the day so we can let it sit overnight.
In the morning, the whole bathroom floor is one solid, level surface.
The mortar we’re using to secure the tile is called ProLite RS from Custom Building Products. It’s great because it’s both lightweight and fast-curing. In fact, we’ll be able to grout the floor just three hours after the tile is set.
The large-format tiles David and Ally selected fill up the space quickly, and because we don’t need to make many cuts, the floor is complete in almost no time.
So, David and Ally’s homework will be applying the grout.
