Do I Cut the Linoleum Around the Toilet or Leave It Underneath?

Around vs. Under

• Whether you choose to work with tiles or sheets of linoleum, you'll need to decide what to do around the toilet. If you aren't skilled at plumbing and don't feel comfortable removing the toilet, cut your sheets or tile to fit around the toilet. If you are comfortable taking out your toilet, laying the linoleum or vinyl under the toilet will result in a cleaner final appearance.

Making a Template

• Before you begin to cut and lay your linoleum, make a template of your bathroom. This can be done by covering the floor with sheets of newspaper and taping them together. As you form the template around the tub, toilet, counters and corners, you can move and cut the newspaper to the correct size and shape. You'll then lay this template over your sheet or arrange tiles on it to cut them to shape. If you're laying the linoleum under the toilet, remove the toilet before making the template and include a hole for the wax ring and plumbing.

Cutting Around

• Follow your template closely as you cut your linoleum for the area around the toilet. If using a sheet, make a cut in it at the point directly behind the toilet so you can work the sheet around the toilet's base. Make the cut slightly smaller than the toilet's base so you can push a little of the linoleum under the toilet for a cleaner look. When you're finished laying the sheet or tile, caulk around the base of the toilet to hide any gaps or flaws you may have made.

Laying Under

• With your toilet removed, laying your sheets or tiles is more straightforward. Cut out the hole for the wax ring and pipes and lay the flooring. Allow your flooring to adhere for 24 hours before installing the toilet. After re-installing the toilet, decide if you want to caulk around the toilet. Used correctly, caulking can give a more finished look to the flooring. However, caulking can hide leaks in the base of the toilet.