Toilets, Sinks, Showers, Tubs and Disposals - Does toilet have to be removed for carpet?

Hi,

I had an under-the-slab leak and part of the vinyl floor in the bathroom was removed so now I am going to have to replace the floor.

I am considering installing carpet in the bathroom over the vinyl floor and wondered if the toilet has to be removed to do this so that the carpet can go under the toilet? Or do you just cut the carpet to fit around the toilet?

Thanks!

Fay

For tile...vinyl and other such flooring methods you should reomve the toilet. For carpet you should not remove the toilet. Putting carpet under the toilet makes it impossible to seal and level and secure.

IMO, if there is a man in the house using this toilet, you don't want to install carpet in a bathroom. Not to be nasty, or anything, but carpet will absorb any liquid, and I can't think of any other area of a house where I would not install carpet, except a bathroom.

Bathrooms require surfaces that can be cleaned and disinfected if necessary. Carpet traps moisture and can cause mold and mildew. Bathrooms are accident prone, and carpet is prone to staining.

Required is a tough word. I recommend against carpet same as Chandler...but it isn't code. If the guy wants carpet..he can have it. Least i've checked my code and no mention of carpet.

Just pointing that out..

Recent germ studies in homes show that kitchen sponges, dishcloths, the kitchen and bathroom sinks, cutting boards, and the bathroom floor carry more germs than the toilet seat. It is important to have a bathroom floor covering that can be easily cleaned and disinfected. While building codes do not address the homeowner's or builder's choice in floor covering or other finish work, the research and cleaning professionals confirm that from the standpoint of sanitation that carpet is a poor choice for bathroom floor covering.

Also if there are ever any leaks or the commode overflows it will be neccesarry to remove/replace the carpet.

I agree with everyone..was just stating it wasn't code. Some people prefer carpet *shrugs*.

Hey, I still have a shag toilet rug in front of mine. Don't make fun of it! Looks goofy, but the wife likes it.

Way too much moisture in a bathroom for carpet.

Botom line:
1. If you MUST put in carpet, cut it in around the toilet, but not under.

2. EVERY bathroom I ever worked on with carpet, when you take up the carpet, it has a terrible urine smell, and the subfloor under is not pretty. Just a fact of life.