Isabella Flores
Painting behind a toilet is a challenging task due to the limited space between the toilet tank and the wall, which is typically about 2 inches wide. While some people opt to remove the entire toilet or just the tank to access the wall, others prefer to paint without detaching any parts. This can be achieved by using a thin roller, a DIY paint pad, or a sponge, ensuring that the surrounding areas are protected with drop cloths and painter's tape. Proper ventilation and personal protective equipment are crucial when painting to avoid inhaling toxic fumes.
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What You'll Learn
Prepare the area
Before you begin painting, it's important to prepare the area to ensure a neat and professional finish. Here are the steps you should take:
Firstly, remove all towels, floor mats, personal items, artwork, and shower curtains from the bathroom. This will give you a clear space to work in and protect your belongings from paint splatters. Cover the sink and counter with a drop cloth to protect them from paint drips and splatters.
Next, clean the walls and floors with warm, soapy water to remove any dust, hair, or debris. A mixture of mild soap and water can be effective. This step is crucial as it ensures that dust and debris do not get stuck in the wet paint, creating a messy and uneven finish. After cleaning, allow the surfaces to dry completely before proceeding.
Once the walls are dry, apply a coat of primer to the surfaces you plan to paint. Primer helps the paint adhere better and promotes a consistent and long-lasting colour. Remember to open the windows and turn on the exhaust fan to ensure proper ventilation while priming and painting.
Before painting behind the toilet, take the lid off the toilet tank and slide a garbage bag over it. Secure the bag tightly with tape to prevent it from getting in the way during the painting process. This will protect the toilet tank from accidental paint splatters. Additionally, use painter's tape to cover the edges of any areas you don't want to paint, such as the baseboards, pipes, and other fixtures.
Finally, ensure you have the right tools for painting behind the toilet. If the gap between the toilet and the wall is narrow, a standard paint roller or brush may not fit. Consider using a thin roller, a DIY paint pad, or removing just the toilet tank for better access.
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Protect the toilet with a bag
Protecting your toilet with a bag is a great way to prevent paint splashes and drips. This method is also useful if you don't want to remove the toilet or the tank. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Prepare the Area
Before you begin, ensure you have all the necessary materials, including a clean garbage bag, painter's tape, a utility knife, a rubber band, and drop cloths. It is also important to wear protective gear, such as gloves and a mask, to ensure your safety during the painting process.
Cover the Toilet with a Bag
Take the lid off the toilet tank and set it aside, preferably on a soft surface or a towel to prevent any damage. Then, place a clean garbage bag over the toilet tank. You can use a 30-gallon trash bag and gather the open end of the bag towards the front of the tank.
Secure the Bag
Pull the excess plastic of the bag towards you (the toilet seat side of the tank) to smooth it out behind the tank. Use a rubber band or duct tape to tightly secure the excess bag material. You can also use clamps to keep the bag pulled away from the wall. Make sure the bag is snug against the back of the tank to prevent it from obstructing your work area.
Protect the Surrounding Area
Place drop cloths on the floor, especially behind the toilet, to catch any paint drips or spills. You can also use painter's tape to cover the edges of the bathroom counter, mirror, baseboards, and any pipes coming out of the wall to protect them from paint splatters.
Paint the Wall
Now that your toilet is protected, you can start painting the wall behind it. Remember to use a thin roller, a paint pad, or a sponge to reach the tight space between the toilet and the wall. Always ensure good ventilation during the painting process by opening windows and using fans to circulate fresh air.
Dispose of the Bag
Once you have completed your painting project and the paint is dry, carefully remove the bag from the toilet tank. You can dispose of the bag along with any excess paint and painter's tape. Remember to clean your paint roller frame and tray before moving your toilet back to its original position.
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Use a thin roller
Painting behind a toilet is a challenging task, even for professional painters. The space behind a toilet is usually thin and tight, and often too narrow for a standard roller or paintbrush. The gap between the toilet and the wall is typically about 2 inches wide, and sometimes even less than 1 inch. This makes it difficult to paint neatly and often results in a smeary ring of paint around the toilet tank with several unpainted areas.
A thin roller is a great solution for this problem. It can help you paint behind the toilet tank neatly and cleanly without too much work. Before you begin, ensure that your space is well-ventilated. Open windows and doors, and set up fans to help vent harmful chemicals. Wear protective clothing and gear, including closed-toe shoes, long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, gloves, a mask, and safety glasses.
To use a thin roller, start by removing the toilet lid and setting it aside. Cover the toilet tank with a clean garbage bag, and cinch the excess plastic together on the toilet seat side of the tank. Secure it with a rubber band. Prepare your paint in a tray and dip the thin roller into it. Roll out any excess paint on the tray and continue the bathroom wall paint behind the toilet tank. Go as far as you can, and don't worry about the unpainted section directly behind the tank as it won't be visible.
If the gap between the toilet and the wall is less than 1 inch, a thin roller might not fit. In such cases, you can either purchase a commercial paint pad or make your own using a long, thin stick, like a paint stir stick, with a thin microfiber rag attached to one end.
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Make a paint pad
Painting behind a toilet can be challenging, even for professional painters. The space behind the toilet is usually narrow, making it difficult to reach with a standard roller or paintbrush. One solution is to use a thin roller or a paint pad. While you can purchase a commercially-made paint pad, it is also relatively easy to make your own. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a paint pad for painting behind your toilet:
Materials:
- Long, thin piece of wood, such as a paint-stirring stick
- Thin microfiber rag or sponge
- Glue
- Utility knife
Instructions:
- Use the utility knife to cut two 1-inch pieces from the paint-stirring stick. These will serve as spacers for the handle.
- Take two whole paint-stirring sticks and lay them side by side.
- Use a hot glue gun to attach the 1-inch spacer pieces to the stirring sticks, forming a handle for the paint pad. Make sure to leave a gap of at least 3 inches at the end of the handle.
- Attach the microfiber rag or sponge to the end of the handle using glue.
- Allow the glue to dry completely before use.
Once your paint pad is ready, follow these steps for painting behind the toilet:
- Prepare the area by covering the bathroom floor with drop cloths and applying painter's tape to any areas you don't want to paint, such as the baseboards and pipes.
- Remove the toilet lid and cover the tank with a garbage bag, securing it tightly with tape. This will protect the toilet from paint splatters.
- Pour your chosen paint into a tray or container.
- Use a paintbrush to transfer the paint to the pad, ensuring it is evenly coated but not overloaded.
- Start painting behind the toilet tank, working from the sides and then upward.
- Switch to a conventional paint roller or brush for the area behind the toilet bowl.
- Allow the paint to dry completely before removing the tape and protective coverings.
By making your own paint pad, you can easily reach the narrow space behind the toilet and achieve a neat and consistent paint finish. Remember to work in a well-ventilated area and wear appropriate protective gear when handling paint.
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Remove the toilet
Removing the toilet is a good option if you want to ensure a "perfect" paint job. It is also a good opportunity to have your toilet checked by a professional plumber to ensure everything is in good working order. If you are replacing the flooring in your bathroom, it is also a good time to remove the toilet.
Before removing the toilet, turn off the water supply by turning the oval-shaped handle near the floor in a clockwise direction. Flush the toilet to remove water from the tank and bowl. You will then need to unbolt the tank and remove it. You can then unbolt the toilet and carefully lift it away.
If you are removing the toilet, it is a good idea to get a new wax ring. You can then put the toilet back by following the removal steps in reverse. Ensure you know whether you need a wax ring or not. Some toilets have a ring system that does not need replacing.
If you do not want to remove the entire toilet, you can just remove the tank and lid. This will give you full access to the back wall, which you can clean and paint with a conventional paint roller.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not always necessary to move a toilet to paint behind it. If there is enough space between the toilet and the wall, you can use a thin roller or a paint pad. If you need to move the toilet, follow these steps:
- Turn off the water supply.
- Flush the toilet.
- Remove the toilet lid and tank.
- Unbolt the toilet and carefully move it.
You will need a wrench to turn off the water supply, and possibly also to unbolt the toilet.
If there is enough space between the toilet and the wall, you can use a thin roller or a paint pad. First, cover the toilet tank with a plastic bag and secure it with tape or rubber bands. Then, use a thin roller or paint pad to apply paint to the wall.
Look for a high-density foam roller that is 1 inch or 1 1/4 inch in diameter.
It is recommended to use primer and paint with a consistent colour.
