Toilet Renovation Vol.7: Wall Base Preparation

u270fufe0f Originally published: January 8, 2017 / ud83dudd04 Rewritten: May 8, 2026

u270fufe0f 2026 Update from DIY Dad: Key Points for the Finishing Stage

We’re now at the finishing phase of the toilet renovation. Once all the accessories are removed, it’s time for the floor and wall finish work. Because a toilet is such a small, compact space, the quality of the finish is immediately obvious. ^ ^

Removing Toilet Accessories (Paper Holder, Towel Ring, etc.)

Before applying wallpaper or diatomite plaster, remove everything attached to the walls.

What to Remove

• Toilet paper holder
• Towel ring / storage shelf
• Outlet cover plate
• Light fixture (if needed)
• Ventilation fan cover

If you try to work around these items, your finish will look sloppy. It’s a rule: no matter how tedious it is, remove everything first. m(_ _)m

Floor Repair and Cushion Floor Replacement

After removing the toilet bowl, you’ll be left with anchor bolt holes in the floor. If the new toilet’s drain flange aligns with the existing holes, you can go straight to laying the new cushion floor (CF) and installing the new toilet.

The hardest part of cutting CF is cutting out the hole for the drain flange. Make a paper template and cut carefully.

DIY Dad’s tip: Make the template for the drain area slightly smaller than the actual opening, then gradually expand it on-site for a better fit without over-cutting. ^ ^

Why I Chose Diatomite for the Toilet Walls

For this toilet renovation I applied diatomite plaster to the walls instead of wallpaper. My reasons:

• It absorbs moisture and odors (diatomite’s natural humidity-control and deodorizing properties)
• I’d already used it in the Japanese-style room with great results, so I continued with it
• It creates a more distinctive, premium look than wallpaper

Diatomite does take some practice to apply well, but in a small space like a toilet it’s also a great opportunity to build your technique. DIY Dad’s trowel skills improved considerably working in this tight space. (Lol) u0669( u141b )u0648

Diatomite Application Tips (Toilet Edition)

1. Thoroughly mask around the toilet bowl and tank with masking tape
2. Protect the water supply pipe and shutoff valve with plastic wrap
3. Mask around the ventilation opening and outlet
4. Peel off masking tape immediately after applying u2014 before it dries

If you wait until the diatomite dries before peeling the tape, it will tear the surface with it. The rule is: peel the moment you finish applying. m(_ _)m

As a Landlord: Cleanliness u00d7 Functionality Changes Your Occupancy Rate

A toilet with diatomite walls, brand-new cushion flooring, and a fresh washlet-equipped bowl u2014 the reaction from prospective tenants was noticeably different. I heard “Wow, this bathroom is so clean!” again and again. ^ ^

Total material cost for the DIY toilet renovation: around u00a580,000. A contractor would charge u00a5300,000u2013500,000 for the same work. Huge savings through DIY.

ud83dudebd For Anyone Considering a Toilet Renovation

Even just replacing the toilet bowl can dramatically change the feel of the space. Going from a tank-type to a tankless toilet in this property gave the room a completely different sense of spaciousness. ^ ^

Water leaks and clogs get worse if ignored u2014 call a professional right away when trouble strikes.

24-Hour Emergency Plumbing Service u2014 Toilet & Water Trouble u00bb

Hi there, it’s DIY Dad. ^ ^
Last night was supposed to be our annual New Year’s get-together u266a(*^^)ou2200*u2200o(^^*)u266a u2014 but it got postponed. ^^; One of the crew suddenly came down sick. (u25deu2038u25df) Let’s plan it again once they’re better. ^ ^ Hope they recover quickly!

Continuing on with the 1st-floor toilet renovation. The remaining source of odor is probably coming from smells soaked deep into the walls. The wallpaper is bubbling and discolored u2014 it’s pretty bad. uff1e_uff1c

u2191 Wall before treatment.

u2191 Wall before treatment. The lower section is really rough. ^^;

u2191 Wall before treatment. The upper part is a little better u2014 but the wallpaper seams are completely lifted and bubbled. ^^;

The plan: tackle both the odor and the wall base preparation at the same time. Tools and materials: joint caulk, silicone caulk, putty knife.

The upper half of the wall will be finished with diatomite plaster (applied directly over the existing wallpaper, so I wiped the wallpaper surface down first). Any lifted sections of wallpaper were pressed back down with joint caulk. The lower half will be finished with wainscot panels, so the wallpaper was completely stripped off.

Even after stripping the wallpaper, the discoloration went all the way through to the underlying substrate. I applied silicone caulk directly to the stained areas of the substrate to seal them in u2014 effectively encapsulating the odor source. Yes, it’s a fairly rough fix. I have no idea how long it will hold. ^^; But the end result was fine. ^ ^ By this point, the smell had improved dramatically. (^_^)u266a Almost there! ^ ^ That’s all for today! (^^)/~~~

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