Flooring Tile - tile and the toilet

I have gutted my bathroom, all the way to installing a new wood subfloor. I am going to tile next. My question is regarding the toilet. Do I install the cement board to the floor then install the toilet flange to the cement board? Or do I install the cement board and tile, and then install the toilet flange to the tile? thanks, Doug

It doesn't make a whole lot of difference in your specific case so do whatever is easier for you. Personally I would go with the cement board down first, then put the flange in.

So what did you do to replace the subfloor? How many layers is it, how thick, what kind of ply/osb, how did you install it? Cment board under the flange is fine, set in unmodifed thinset and screwed down. You will be able to screw through the cment board when you install your flange, tile up to the flange and then use flange extenders to raise the flange height or use 2 wax rings to seat your toilet.

I ripped out the tile, cement, and two 3/8 inch layers of plywood. I then installed two new layers of 3/8 inch plywood. I had to do two layers, so that the first layer would be even with the original layer in some areas, where I couldn't cut it out all the way to the wall. The first layer was screwed to the joists. The second layer was glued to the first, then nailed to it, and then screwed to the joists.

Holy Moly! That's a ton of work. I've got a 1/2 bath I'm going to gut which has a similar floor structure. What did you use to break up the cement?

Yeah, it was actually a couple tons. I filled twenty-four 32 gallon containers to the point were they were barely moveable. There was so much because all the walls were tiled too. To remove the tiles, cement, and cement coated wire mesh, I used a sledgehammer, a carbide bladed circular saw, prybar, chisel, and claw hammer. I had the best luck in removing the mess when I swung the claw hammer, with the claws striking the tile and cement. Since the claws are pretty sharp, they could crack the tile. They could crack the cement, and break through the wire mesh.

Project update. The bathroom has been re-drywalled, mudded, primed, and painted. Today I put in the cement board. I also re-did the electrical. Previously, there was one box, with one plug and one light switch. I changed this to a double plug. Then I added a second box with two switches. One for the light, and then I added a vent. Working in the attic on an 80 degree day has to have been the worst part of the project so far.

Next step is installing the floor tile and tub surround.

My 1/2 bath also has tile/cement up the walls about 30". I was thinking of using my air chisel for much of the demolition. But, as you already know, things don't always go as planned. Thanks for the reply.

My 1/2 bath also has tile/cement up the walls about 30". I was thinking of using my air chisel for much of the demolition. But, as you already know, things don't always go as planned. Thanks for the reply.

What you have to be careful about is not messing up the drywall that is attached to the studs you are removing the tile/cement from. I got a few cracks and a few nail pops, but luckily, nothing too bad.