does every room border with vinyl flooring or tile flooring have to be sealed? can only upload one photo, I have enclosed picture of the beige toilet tile flooring bordering the hall vinyl flooring. The tradesman is willing to do reasonable remedial work. Your tips greatly appreciated:
1. The wood border was already there as indicated with red circle, the grey strip (indicated with green arrow) with the gaps on the biege tiled side was put on, should the gap be sealed with silicon on bottom (bordering tile floor) and top side gap (bordering the wood border)?'
2. most room borders have no visible gaps with the vinyl going right up to every identical wood border (as indicated by red circle) , however in two rooms, the vinyl border gap is definitely visible, ~10mm, as shown in the picture in my previous question https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20... . Do all the borders need to be sealed, or only the two vinyl room border where visible ~10mm ?
3. the new lavatory flush toilet does not have any sealant round the bottom, should it?
4. is it true that since it is vinyl it can't be harmed with water on it or even go under the gaps?
Answers & Comments
If there is chance of water getting behind it, you should seal it. Not just in shower areas, but where you might use a wet mop, which is pretty much everywhere. I lay a lot in hospitals, and there the flooring tuns up the wall slightly to stop seepage, and the risk is less about water damage and more about areas that don't dry out properly harbouring infection. Seal around the base of the pedestal.
this is common in baths, kitchens, and laundry areas -- where ever there is water. Not usually done in other rooms. the goal is to have water stay atop the tile so it can be cleaned up and not get underneath to create mold.
1. not usually done at the doorway -- too far from water spill
2. new vinyl tile right out of box may expand slightly after it rests on the floor for two weeks. this is what the gap does ... allows expansion
3. NO! if the toilet leaks at the wax seal, you want it to leak into the room so you notice and take action. You do not want it to hide under the flooring -- mold
4. water can go under the gaps. seal the edges between the tiles and this won't happen. also seal the edge nearest the bathtub and all edges within three feet of the toilet and sink. [then as much more as needed to make it look uniform]. I use kitchen and bath caulk for this -- it comes i colors and clear, too.
--grampa