Do I need to take up the bathroom vanity in order to lay new marble tile?

by Andrew
(Lawrence KS)

The home was built in 1957. The floor has ceramic tiles on it. The previous owners laid plywood down over vinyl flooring and then tiled the floor. A few tiles have cracked by the toilet. Looks like they probably cracked when they were being put down originally.

Previously this was a rental home. The vanity looks new so I will not be replacing it. I am going to be removing all the ceramic tiles and the toilet. Do I need to remove the vanity before I remove the tiles?

I'm not sure if the tile runs under the vanity right now. It looks like it might but really don't know until I start taking out the tile. Do I need to take up the plywood and the old vinyl flooring before I put down the backer board?


Andrew - Thanks for asking your Bathroom Tile Question here....

Your question about removing the plywood and vinyl tile before placing the backer board - We would recommend placing backer board over the plywood to get the best bond.

Now - about the vanity - it really is completely up to you - you can leave the vanity, and then add a toe mold (quarter-round) around the base of the vanity to hide the edge of the tile....

If this look will not bother you, that is all that you have to do.

Good Luck on your bathroom remodel.