Many people question how fast a toilet is ready for use after being installed. Unfortunately, there is no straight answer to this due to the many factors involved. However, a toilet may be ready for use in minutes or hours after its installation, depending on its state. For instance, if major repairs are needed, the toilet may be out of use for a long time.
Nonetheless, it is usually a good idea to talk with a plumber before using a new toilet in your home. As a result, they will be able to eliminate any issues and have the new toilet up and running as fast as possible.
This article will help provide an insight into when a toilet is ready to use after installation, depending on several factors attached to its installation.
When Is The Toilet Ready For Use After Installation?
The toilet is ready to use once you’ve switched on the water supply to fill in the toilet tank. Also, there is no requirement for the toilets to be dried or cured because they are attached directly to the floor’s flange. However, you must probably wait for 6 to 12 hours after installing the bathroom to ensure that your hard work doesn’t go in vain.
In the case of laying ceramic tiles, you’ll also need to give the grout in the joints time to cure. And with this, the toilet should be installed 48 to 72 hours immediately after installing the ceramic tile. Also, oftentimes silicone or caulk is often used to glue the toilet to the bathroom floor after installation. In this case, it is advisable to wait three to six hours before use.
How long should you wait after the toilet is installed?
Toilet installation requires a careful process. Although, several alternatives may be developed throughout the installation process. Let’s take a closer look at the possibilities involved.
If caulk or silicone is used.
Curing and drying are the first two steps in the caulking process. And to start with, allow the caulk to cure completely before you touch it so that it doesn’t move or run. Even when it dries, it should not come into touch with water since the curing process continues instantly. Curing time is crucial since the caulk will not be waterproof unless this step is performed correctly. So, make sure you read and follow all drying instructions for each product. The majority of them need anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes of your time. Curing, on the other hand, takes a lot longer. It takes up to 24 hours for caulking ingredients to harden. Quick-drying silicone or caulk formulations are also available to cure in three to six hours.
In some instances, you may use grout to reinforce the caulk on the toilet foundation. However, wait until it’s entirely dry before flushing. Your bathroom’s foundation will become unstable if water seeps through the subfloor, making it impossible to dry appropriately. At the very least, you should wait a few days before flushing the toilet.
Set aside 6-12 hours to ensure your efforts aren’t vain.
You don’t have to wait for it to cure since there is no putty or grout. However, consider the long-term consequences before using it. And some of the few issues include inadequate toilet support and seepage issues. If you don’t use caulk or grout, water from the floor will leak below your toilet. And this can result in breaking plumbing regulations. In other words, you’ll benefit in the short term but incur long-term consequences.
Is it safe to use a toilet right away after it has been installed?
While technically permissible, sitting on it isn’t something we suggest. Also, only do it if there are no other options, and you can no longer contain your pee. However, look out for some options below.
Is there a time limit on silicone drying before it can be used to construct a toilet?
Silicone caulk comes in various forms; therefore, this depends on the specific product. When using fast-drying silicone caulk, we suggest waiting at least three to six hours for it to dry before using it completely. If you don’t plan to sit on it, you may use it right away, just as you would with a toilet that you aren’t using or have sealed with caulk or grout. However, it would help if you took care not to over-wet the area.
How long does it take for the grout to cure before a toilet can be installed?
A permanent product, like grout, requires more time to cure than putty does. Curing times may vary depending on the grout used, but in most cases, 6 to 12 hours are enough. Also, ask a plumber or the manufacturer for help if you’re unsure how long it should dry.
It is better to spend a small amount of money now than a large amount of money later, attempting to fix a problem that you could have fixed sooner.
Conclusion
In summary, you may use the toilet immediately as soon as you turn on the water supply. However, the jointing paste must be thoroughly cured before laying ceramic tiles. Ideally, a toilet should be installed 72 hours after tile installation has been completed, but this is not always the case. But it is recommended that a bathroom be left to dry for a minimum of 6 to 12 hours after installation. Wait a few hours after caulking or grouting the foundation for best results.
Amos Christen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Drexel University — Philadelphia, PA. Since 2003, Amos has worked with top interior design professionals in this area, including architects and interior/graphic/lighting designers. As a skilled interior designer, Amos Christen is highly versed in fine arts and crafts and uses that to supplement his main area of expertise. He often publishes articles related to home décor on several websites, including Sprucetoilets.com, Sprucebathroom.com, and Mybesuitedhome.com. He also contributes to leading interior design magazines.