Caulk Around Toilet Code

My plumber told me on our last job that caulk around the toilet to floor was code now. He knows I hate to see that.

Is he right?

I think Rex lives in MI, he would know your state code. In Wisconsin it's NOT code but on commercial bathrooms many architects spec caulk for sanitary reasons.

Mike

Yeah, I should have made clear it's residential.

Thanks

I think when done correctly caulk around the base looks clean. When it is tile it's nice to see grout caulk. IMO

Was it a new flange or an old uneven flange sunk an inch under the subfloor? If it's the latter I call bs.

If that was the case it would be the GC's fault, not the plumber's.

in new jersey its code. all plumbing fixtures have to be caulked to the wall or floor for sanitary reasons. that includes tub and shower valves, sinks, toilets.. etc..

Since when has New Jersey become worried about sanitary plumbing methods... :
They outa worry about cleaning up that turnpike first

I agree it looks good...... at first. But the first time you brush a dirty mop up against the caulk it looks bad.

Code or no code, why would you leave un-calked it looks like s^*t without caulking.

It is required here in Albuquerque. The mechanical inspector checks every commode in the house for it. .

We can use caulk or grout.

around here, inspectors like to see caulk on the front and sides, but not the back. The caulk on three sides help hold the toilet in place, and no caulk in the back helps in early detection of leaks

I totally agree with you there, however I also agree with the above post that if the floor isn't perfect, it looks horrible without caulk as well. I've only ever seen caulk here in Cali, not up to date on if it's code or not, but I'd assume so. That being said, I've become a big fan of using a clear caulk around toilets as opposed to white since it fades better into the difference of the toilet color and the floor, as well as accepting dirt way better than white. Still trying to figure out what I can do when I fix up my molding installs which are sawdust and dirt magnets after being caulked to hide imperfections :P

That's why you hire a pro to do the work on everything. Then there's no need to caulk around a toilet base because the floor is level.

If anyone is using caulk to help stabilize the toilet as was mentioned in a previous post, you've got bigger problems that caulk won't fix!

Caulk has its place, but definitely not around the base of a toilet. (Sorry, my opinion, and I realize its just my opinion, but I think doing that is just misinformed and borders on hack work.)

thats the way we do it here. caulk all around except for the back. leave that open in case of a leak it can be detected.. if left uncaulked it just plain looks like crap.

That is the most ridiculous thing I ever heard... Not to mention it is adopted code requirement in some states.
First of all what if you have kids and they miss the toilet have the pi$$ get under there and stink? Give me a break.

Caulking helps a more secure connection between the toilet and the floor.
In addition in most cases the tile higher then the flange, or the tile stops right before the flange, not to mention there is always a gap and the water will always get under the tile, between the pipe and plywood and cause the damage caulked or not caulked... water will never make it to the floor surface this why this theory doesn't make any sense.

Many states do NOT require it. A caulked toilet in Wisconsin, on a residence, is very rare.

As far as helping to secure a toilet that's complete bulls$$$. A toilet is secured to a flange with bolts, if it can't be secured that way then something is very wrong.

If somebody pisses on the floor that's not a plumbing issue, it's a prostate issue.

Lastly, tile goes up to a flange. The toilet seals against a flange. The two share no commonality.

Mike

I may have been misinterpreted. I didn't mean in my post to use caulk to reinforce it. The toilet and it's nuts should take care of that alone. I'm just saying that even one slightly crooked tile to me, and being an architecture major, even though the floor could be near perfectly flat- if one tile is crooked or the rim of the bottom of the toilet (more often the case) isn't perfect, caulk helps to hide these slight imperfections. Leaving it open in back, for detection of leaks which shouldn't occur in the first place, however, I agree with.

Mike,

I know the toilet is secured by bolts, caulking makes a better connection and it gives a nice finished transition with the tiled floor. I know many states don't require, but some do, and most plumbing inspectors around here will request to caulk under it. I don't think or wish for any kid age 3-5 to have any prostate problem, but they do have a tendency to miss here and there, especially in the middle of the night.

With that said, tiles go under the flange, they go over the flange,they stop 2" before the flange... no matter where or how. in most cases the water will go under and not over and it will not spill onto the floor.

yea you gotta caulk here...i use clear latex on everything

a certain inspector years ago used to make me caulk toilets on wood floors which i hate doing, but its code