Contractor mis-cut the floor when he put in the toilet

Question

Hello,
Our contractor didn't 'measure twice, cut once' when he put in our toilet. Check out the photo. I'd appreciate any suggestions on a fix or a way to hide this mistake, other than one of those rugs that wrap around a toilet. Thanks!!

John Grimley · Answer

Two solutions I can think of. first, tell the contractor to come finish the job  - and do it right. My guess is, he'll use solution #2 - a bead of silicone sealant to hide the gap.

Nygg. · Answer

It was the contactors bad mistake,have him come back and redo the floor. If he won't, call consumers complaint Dept.,in your state.

FrancesEK · Answer

I would say that first filling the gap with either wood putty that matches, or making a glue and sawdust paste with the same color as the flooring would be good.  Then carefully try to blend with very fine sandpaper so that the gap sort of disappears.  Then, run a really neat, narrow line of white caulk that sort of connects the toilet bowl to the floor and run you finger around so that it looks like it's all on purpose! The trick is to fool the eye so that it doesn't immediately go to the flaw!  It will take patience to get it right, but will be worth it. Once you do the first part, you will see that it already looks so much better.  The caulk will just be the icing on the cake.

J · Answer

A line of caulk, èither white to match toilet or color matched to wood.  Look with the laminate flooring accessories at home stores.

Hector · Answer

Try using a caulking of similar color. Home Depot has a caulking used in the corners of showers where tile is used.  The walls may shift but the corners will not crack because of the flexibility.

Ken Gregory · Answer

The contracter should come out ad fix it the right way if you signed a contract and this is workman  defect then it is the contractors obligation to fix it to the  satisfaction of the owner of the dwelling  that signed the contract!
If he refuses then explain that a lawyer  will cost more thanthe correction of satisfactory  workman ship!!

Debbie Spilsbury · Answer

---UNLESS the contractor was your husband!  In that case-I'd do the sawdust/wood glue fix with a white silicone caulk to rim the bottom of the toilet.  It will look just fine and, most likely, YOU will be the only one to notice.  It will turn out just fine - you'll see 😊 Like Frances said 'just a little patience' to accomplish this.

Linda Fraser · Answer

There is this stuff that comes on a spool. Its a roll out grout. You just measure it out and cut it and place it where you want it. It's great stuff. You can find it at Lowe's or any place like that.

Debbs · Answer

Ge did it totally wrong.  He should have removed the toilet, installed the flooring then replaced the toilet.  I'd have him come back and do it correctly.

MaryJo Ross · Answer

yep..... get him to fix it properly, that is if it wasn't your hubby...... nothings going to work properly for cleaning hygienically

William · Answer

The contractor should do the repair or pay the cost in having it repaired.

Pan7656385 · Answer

Get the stupid careless contractor to fix it, even if it takes replacing the whole floor.

Julies1949 · Answer

Is this laminate? If so,whose idea was it to use laminate flooring in a bathroom?

Deb Johnson · Answer

The contractor should repair his mistake.  It is not your mistake to fix

Mandy Brown · Answer

I agree the contractor should repair the floor; however, if he had removed the toilet when installing the floor he wouldn't have had to cut around the base of it.  Most contractors take the toilet out, lay the floor then reinstall the toilet.  The only cut would be around the floor flange which gets covered by the toilet base.  The cost to remove/reinstall a toilet is about $4.00.  All you need is a wax seal.  Turn off the water supply to the toilet, flush it to remove most of the water, dip out as much of the remaining water as possible.  disconnect the water supply and lift the toilet off the floor.  I usually lay an old shower curtain liner or something similar in the bathtub or on the floor to rest the toilet on while I'm installing flooring.  Once you're finished replace the wax ring over the floor flange and re-sit the toilet.  Connect the water supply and turn the water on.  You may need to get longer flange bolts to account for the thickness of the new floor, but most will fit.

Christine Pardo · Answer

Sanded caulk in tole department at home depot.  But above is right. You will have issues if the flooring is laminate.

Lisa acuna · Answer

You can always use the 'contractors best friend' and caulk around it with a wide bead of caulk and then with a flat piece on an angle, smooth all the way around. Practice first in the back. Or, you can use wood fill in wood tone or tint it. Then smooth it into the holes and cracks. Before it dries, use a piece of wood, rough side, to press on the fill to imprint a wood design. Let dry. If you need to, tint more to match. It is time consuming but I have done this along a floor register that had the same problem and it looked fine.

Suze · Answer

Christine is right....sanded caulk has grout in it and should hold well.   but did you confront the contractor about that job?  what did he say?  it's HIS responsibility to make it right.

Elaine Bove Matt · Answer

the contractor needs to fix his mistake --- but if you paid him by credit card, call the company and dispute the charge until he fixes the problem or if by check and he hasn't cashed it yet, stop payment on it until he fixes it.

Carole · Answer

This isn't something you should fix.  This is sloppy work and should be fixed by the contractor.  The toilet should be removed before the flooring is installed.  This is a terrible installation.

Cwh6899259 · Answer

Use wood filler on the gaps, match floor colour. Then calk around toilet.

Jackie · Answer

Laminate warps and swells if it gets wet, not sure it was a good idea for the bathroom but I would confront the contractor. Why should you worry about fixing the mistake of someone you paid to do it correctly. You could always caulk it like a lot of people have said or maybe try some rubber trim moulding to match if possible.

Charles Prock · Answer

They make a vinyl trim to go around bathtubs that should do the trick....You may have to heat it with a blow dryer to make the sharp turns but it should fix you right up.

Desmond · Answer

Water soluble woodfiller is the  best.

StefanieB · Answer

Have the contractor come back and fix it.

John Stone · Answer

Cwittaker, has best answer.......this will work good.....

861650 · Answer

StefanieB is right on point!  Have contractor fix it.  Next time you have something done, DO NOT pay until you inspect the job.  I've seen these types of repairs before and it is upsetting that someone would do such a bad job...shame on them!

Mary · Answer

Send the contractor here, and tell him to read how several of us ladies said, that THE CONTRACTOR NEEDS TO COME BACK AND FIX IT! (most people would have done so, but since you have not, is it because a relative did this poor job?)

Patricia Coulter · Answer

If that's the kind of job he did I would be afraid to have him come back and
maybe do more damage.  You have some good suggestions for do it yourself.

DeNoal Sloan · Answer

I understand your concern about havig the contractor come back. If you have any floor covering left, the toilet can be removed and new pieces cut correctly that fit. A good handyman can fix this for around $100.00. You will need a new toilet seal.

Contractor mis-cut the floor when he put in the toilet

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Contractor mis-cut the floor when he put in the toilet

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