I live/work in a new "demo" construction. The landord/self-contractor is responsible for the subfloor/underlay.

The floor is 3/4" plywood over steel beam frame. The underlay in the washroom was put in after the fixtures (the floor wasn't complete for occupancy and the washroom had to at least be useable). He feels the "subfloor" (underlay)is complete (using 1/4" mahoghany), but he did rough cuts around the toilet and fixtures. I always thought that flooring should go under toilets/fuxtures for a nice finish, good seal, and ease of replacement (in case the replacement fixture has a different shape base)? Which "technique" is correct?

Also, I will probably finish the floor with tile. Should it go under or flush to the toilet/fixtures? What if I decide on using linolium?

thanks for your help.

Ron

Ron,

The subfloor should completely cover the floor. Sounds like your landlord is trying to take the easy way out by not pulling the fixtures. If you decide to tile, you will need to install a tile backer board. If you install vinyl or linoleum the subfloor will be fine as long as its still in good shape.

Mike

The 1/4" underlayment should go underneath the fixtures.

To give a vinyl floor a professional look they normally put the vinyl underneath the toilet fixture, which also helps prevent moisture from running down the outside of the toilet and getting underneath the vinyl flooring.

For tile you need some type of cement board for a substrate to adhere the ceramic tile too.

Best wishes,

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