How to Cut Around a Toilet Base When Laying Bathroom Vinyl

Cutting bathroom vinyl around a toilet base is one of those jobs that looks tricky but is very manageable with patience and the right approach. The key is accurate templating — rush the measuring and you'll end up with an ugly gap; take your time and the result will look professionally finished.

What You'll Need

Before you start, gather these tools and materials:

• Sheet vinyl or luxury vinyl planks/tiles (LVT) suited to wet areas
• Sharp utility knife with fresh blades
• Scribing compass or a purpose-made vinyl scriber
• Cardboard or kraft paper for templating
• Tape measure and pencil
• Straight edge or steel ruler
• Vinyl adhesive or double-sided tape (check manufacturer's recommendation)
• Seam sealer if joining sheets

For NZ bathrooms, choose a vinyl rated for wet areas with a wear layer of at least 0.3 mm for residential use. Products are available from Bunnings and Mitre 10, and your local flooring supplier will also carry a good range.

Step 1 — Make a Paper Template

The safest method for cutting around a toilet base is to make a paper template first rather than cutting the vinyl directly.

1. Cut a piece of cardboard or kraft paper large enough to cover the area around the toilet.
2. Slide it up to the toilet base and make small relief cuts (like a fringe) so the paper lies flat against the curved base.
3. Trace the exact outline of the toilet base onto the paper, holding your pencil or scriber vertically.
4. Cut along the traced line and test-fit the template — it should sit snugly around the base with no more than a 2–3 mm gap (which the toilet's base trim will cover).

This step is worth doing carefully. A well-fitted template means a well-fitted floor.

Step 2 — Transfer the Template to Your Vinyl

Once your template fits correctly:

1. Lay the template on the back of your vinyl sheet, aligning it with any pattern or grain direction.
2. Trace around the toilet cutout shape with a pencil or chalk marker.
3. Double-check the orientation — it's easy to accidentally flip the template.

For luxury vinyl planks (LVP), you'll be cutting individual planks to fit around the base. Mark each plank separately, noting which edge faces the toilet.

Step 3 — Cut the Vinyl

• Use a sharp utility knife and a steel straight edge for straight cuts.
• For the curved profile of the toilet base, make multiple small, careful cuts following the pencil line. A pair of curved scissors or tin snips can also help with tighter curves.
• Always cut on a flat, protected surface — a piece of scrap MDF or a cutting mat works well.
• Change blades often. A dull blade drags and tears vinyl rather than cutting cleanly.

Scribing Method (Alternative)

If you prefer to work with the vinyl already roughly positioned in the room, you can use a scribing compass set to the widest gap between the vinyl edge and the toilet base. Run the compass along the toilet base while the pencil traces the profile onto the vinyl. This is a more advanced technique but gives excellent results on irregular shapes.

Step 4 — Test Fit and Adhere

1. Dry-fit the cut vinyl around the toilet before applying any adhesive.
2. Check the gap is consistent and sits within the toilet base's trim or collar.
3. Once satisfied, apply adhesive or double-sided tape as directed by the vinyl manufacturer. In wet areas, full-bond adhesive is generally recommended rather than a floating installation, to prevent moisture getting under the floor.
4. Use a seam sealer on any joins near the toilet to stop water ingress — this is important in NZ bathrooms where Healthy Homes moisture standards apply to rental properties.

Tips for a Professional Finish

• Undercut door architraves with a handsaw so vinyl slides underneath — the same principle applies to the toilet's plastic collar if it has one.
• If your toilet has a floor-mounted pan collar, you may need to remove it temporarily. This involves the water supply connection — see the section below on restricted work.
• Keep the gap between the vinyl and the toilet base to 3 mm or less so it's hidden under the base trim.
• In older NZ homes, floors can be uneven. Use a floor-levelling compound (such as products from Ardex or Mapei) before laying vinyl if needed.

When to Call a Professional

Removing or repositioning the toilet to lay vinyl underneath it is the cleanest approach, but disconnecting the toilet pan from the soil pipe and the water supply is restricted plumbing work under the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006. This must be carried out by a licensed plumber — check the Plumbers Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board to find a registered tradesperson.

If your subfloor is damaged, rotten, or uneven beyond what levelling compound can fix, a Licensed Building Practitioner or experienced flooring installer should assess it before you lay new vinyl. Subfloor repairs in wet areas may also need to comply with NZ Building Code clause E3 (Internal Moisture).

For a flawless result — especially in a rental property or before a sale — consider hiring a qualified flooring installer. You can find local professionals on tradedirectory.co.nz.

Sources & Further Reading

• MBIE Building Performance — NZ Building Code
• Tenancy Services — Healthy Homes Standards
• Plumbers Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board
• BRANZ — Wet Area Flooring Guidance
• Ardex — Floor Levelling Products NZ
• Bunnings NZ — Vinyl Flooring Range