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Remodeling Flooring Bathrooms

How to patch bathroom floor after removing vanity?

newhomeowner2024

3 years ago

Hello. I live in a 1982 condo and removed the vanity with the original plan to replace the tile and install a new vanity. I've decided to leave the existing tile but now have an empty section of floor. I thought about putting a painted piece of plywood down to make it level but the floor itself is uneven. So if I used 1/2 inch plywood it would be flush and level in one corner but too high in the other. I believe what you're seeing in the photo is the hardi backer board. I might decide to replace the tile down the road. What do you suggest I do to level this out?

Featured Answer

Paul Koltnow

3 years ago

Or now would be a good time to knock out that floor if you want. I am in process of doing this right now. Took me about 5 hours to get rid of the tile and the 2 ½ inch mortar bed. Of course if you do this you will also have to mess with the toilet flange tool. I am laying down a new subfloor in the morning and then I’ll top that with luxury vinyl planks. I’ll be adding a new vanity, toilet and paint job.

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Comments (15)

newhomeowner2024
Original Author
3 years ago
0
enduring
3 years ago
Are you going to place a vanity in that same spot? will it be covered?
0
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User
3 years ago
Shim?
newhomeowner2024
Original Author
3 years ago
The vanity will go in the same spot but the bottom is open/it has legs. It doesn't have to look nice as it'll be covered. I can put a rug in front of the vanity to hide where the two floors meet. I really just need a way to make it level.

I don't want to do anything that will drastically increase the costs of replacing the tile floor if I decide to later.
0
enduring
3 years ago
you could try a ply and shave off the area the is too high. or get a thiner ply and shim up the end that is too low. Use screws, like decking screws to place into place. You could caulk the periphery with a paintable caulk, to conceal the edges. Prime and paint to match the floor tile. You probably won't notice at all once the vanity goes in,. It will be easy to remove when ready to replace the floor.
0
salonva
3 years ago
I suspect I will have a similar situation if /when I replace the vanity in my powder room. I think in your case if you could just put white tile ( similar in size to what you have) in that space, that might work. You won't really see that it doesn't have the pattern in the rest of the floor, and will just look like it had the continuation. If tiling is too complicated then I guess enduring's suggestion would be easier. Not sure about matching and all, but then again, since it will be under the vanity I guess there's a lot of leeway with shading and all.
0
dcarendt
3 years ago
How about some self leveling concrete?
ci_lantro
3 years ago
So if I used 1/2 inch plywood it would be flush and level in one corner but too high in the other.

Use 3/8" ply and add top with cheap peel 'n stick vinyl tile? And caulk around the plywood edges before laying the tile.

I would want something water resistant covering the floor in case of plumbing/ drain leaks.
SJ McCarthy
3 years ago
Find a different vanity. It is the simplest solution. If you use the vanity you WANT to use, you are looking at a new floor. If you get the vanity that WORKS, you only have to purchase the vanity.
0
Paul Koltnow
3 years ago
Here’s how it turned out....
Paul Koltnow
3 years ago
Disregard the brown rug. It’s gone.
0
ci_lantro
3 years ago
Wow, Nice Job, Paul!! Looks great!
SJ McCarthy
3 years ago
Very pretty! Well worth the effort!
Paul Koltnow
3 years ago
Thank you! I’m kinda astounded with the final product myself :) I’ve never done anything this major before.

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