Caulk around toilet?

This is probably something a person just knows without asking...but I really have no idea....do you caulk around the toilet (where it meets the floor)?
It looks fine without..but occassionally I see somebody makes a post referring to caulking and now I'm wondering if its supposed to be done?
Jackie

caulk

In this area the inspectors insist on a complete caulk bead where the toilet sits on the floor, and they will check the back to make sure there was no gap left at that point.

So what is the purpose of caulking around the base of the toilet?

I never caulked around the base because I wanted to see if/when the flange seal failed and started leaking. The previous toilet was caulked and I ended up with a rotted out bathroom floor because everything looked fine for a long time.

it,s code here in s. f. ca.

it,s called a sanitry seal. otherwise roaches can nest there along with germs

inspectors won,t sign off until it,s caulked! it,s a health issue

Seattle area codes



In the Seattle area, we're only allowed to caulk the front of the bowl.
The inspector wants the homeowner to know if the seal is leaking.
I've almost stepped through a few floors that had rotted from leaking seals.
If you have a bad seal, it's easier to spot if some caulk is left off the back.
Your local inspector will let you know his preference.

When we do installs, we use the stainless braided supplies. The supply in the picture is from the original installation.

the bottom line

if the inspector says caulk , or no sign off ,i caulk

this happened to me. terry,s right, every place is different.

i also prefer non burst stainless feed hoses on all stops, a little more money, but safer, in my opinion

if its a remodel i save some floor grout and "caulk" the toilet with it. it fills voids and makes a nice bond which takes out any wobble in the bowl.