Paint Behind a Toilet
You’ve just received the keys to your first home. It’s one of the most exciting days of your life. Gone are the days of pouring money down a black in a hole in form of rent. Finally, you have an asset you can build equity in and do with as you please.
The first major project to tackle is that bathroom that reminds you of visiting your great-grandma. The appliances and fixtures are older than you and that canary yellow on the walls just isn’t going to cut it. You set about taking on the project and it finally comes time to paint behind a toilet.
The space around the mirrors and shower is easy. But what about painting behind the toilet? Now is where the real fun begins.
Paint Behind a Toilet Preparations
Prep Work
Equally as important and being careful with a paintbrush is the prep work you do before you get to work. The space behind your toilet is where dust, lint, and grime gather. It’s also packed with pipes, odd shapes, and curves. The bottom line is this area has to be exceptionally clean before you begin painting.
To start, remove all floor mats, towels, art and personal effects from the area. Next, take off the tank and cover the entire toilet with an industrial size garbage bag. Seal it off with masking tape. Then place a dirty sheet or drop cloth around on the floor making sure it covers the entire area you’re going to be painting. Lastly, clean all the walls with soapy water and let dry. The last thing you want is for any debris to become part of the paint job.
Apply Primer
Now that your workspace is clean and dry and it’s time to apply the primer. Before you go crazy, make sure your bathroom is ventilated with open windows and a fan or two to keep air circulating. Once this is taken care of you can apply a liberal coat of primer to all the areas you’ll be painting. Primer acts as an adhesive for the paint to stick to the surface of the wall and ensures that the color will stand the test of time.
How to Apply the Paint Behind a Toilet
When it comes to painting behind your toilet, there is a multitude of options to choose from. Which option you choose will largely be dictated by how much space you have to work with.
Removing the Toilet
If the space you have is so limited that no brush or sponge will be able to fit, you’ll have to remove the toilet entirely. This can be a bit of a pain, but the good news is that once the toilet is removed, you’ll have all the room in the world to work with.
Sponge Stick
If you have less than a couple of inches to work with, a sponge stick might be your best bet. Sponge sticks look similar to a paint mixing stick but have a sponge along one side. All you have to do is apply paint to the sponge side of the stick and apply evenly along the wall behind your toilet.
Sponge Brushes
As their name would suggest, these tools do the same job as a brush or roller, only come in the form of a sponge. Once you’ve applied paint to one side of the sponge, start in the center behind your toilet and stroke away toward the outer edges making sure that paint is applied evenly.
Mini Roller
Mini rollers are a great tool anytime you’re painting in tight quarters, especially behind your toilet. This tool works the same way as a regular size paint roller, simple as that. If you choose this method, make sure you have time set aside as the job can be slow-going since you’re only covering a small area with each stroke.
Whether you’re willing to admit it or not, you spend a lot of time in your bathroom. While it might not be your kitchen where you entertain friends and family, you want it to be a welcoming space where everyone feels comfortable.
After all, that’s why you’re putting in so much effort to make it your own. Even though remodeling your bathroom is an exhaustive task that can involve the reworking of pipes, removal, and installation of fixtures and even knocking out walls, make sure you take the time necessary to be thorough when painting behind your toilet. Should you have any questions about how to best go about this process, your local Einstein Pros is standing by ready to help. Call us today in Oregon! We can move your toilet if needed.