How To Paint Behind A Toilet (DIY Steps Explained)

Repainting every wall, but the one behind the toilet tank may be easier, but it gives home paint jobs a sloppy, unfinished look.

A professionally finished bathroom instantly raises both the aesthetic and monetary value of any tight space.

Researching how to remove a toilet tank to apply paint behind the toilet tank makes your paint job easier, as it grants you more room to work on the surrounding walls.

More comprehensive paint jobs also last longer, as primers and topcoats on all four walls can prevent moisture damage from humidity exposure.

Learning how to paint behind the toilet seat may cost a little more time, but it’s well worth the investment.

Ensure any mats, shower curtains, towels, cosmetics, exhaust fan, floor mats, garbage bag, and other portable, personal items are removed from the entire bathroom before applying paint.

In such an enclosed space as the bathroom, overspray or splatter is a serious risk. If your bathroom mirrors aren’t built-in, consider removing them.

Since the rounded lids can bulky, lift the lid from the top of the toilet to give yourself more space.

Cover the entire toilet in a large  trash bag or drop cloths, and secure around the base with painter’s tape.

First, clean any dirt, hair, or dust from the floor with drop cloth. You should cover the floor and toilet tank lid with a tarp or sheet while painting, but, while the walls dry, there’s a risk of particulates being kicked up onto still-wet walls.

Cramped bathrooms can often collect too much paint fumes and aerosolized spray. Open any bathroom windows, turn on overhead exhaust fans, and set up adjacent fans for proper airflow. When in doubt, use a respirator mask to be safe.

Toilets can often collect dirt and grime in their lower crevices. Clean this area thoroughly, particularly where the wall meets the floor, and tape the intended painting space.

DIY painters often ask, how do I clean the walls behind the toilet? We recommend using a diy paint pad or jimmy sponge stix or sponge-lined paint stir stick.

Wet the porous side of diy paint pad with soap and water, and press along the wall behind the toilet to remove dust, product residue, or mildew. One of the best tips to get great results is to let the paint pad or jimmy sponge stix to dry before painting.

The Mini Roller Method is one of the easiest methods for painting behind the toilet without removing the tank. Follow our prep tips, ensure the plastic of mini roller is firmly affixed to the toilet, and tape the trim.

Apply primer if necessary. Then, using a small brush, paint around the toilet’s water inlet pipe emerging from the wall. Brush out in about a 6” circle, and brush another 6” of clearance along with the trim paint.

Next, attach a 4” conventional paint roller pad to a 1” wide long-handled mini conventional paint roller about 16” long. Using any standard paint tray, paint  roller in smooth strokes along the bathroom wall. Remove the tape and plastic garbage bag, and check the toilet for paint splatters. Let completely dry.

Another approach to how to paint a bathroom behind the toilet is the stick and rag method, which works better for toilets with tight space between the tank and wall.  Better yet, this method requires even fewer specialty tools. Simply follow our prep instructions and pick up a paint stirrer and a rag or a t-shirt you don’t like.

Wrap the rag around the stick and tape it firmly into place. Next, dip just one side of the rag into your open paint: It’s tempting to fully submerge the rag, but this ruins your control and leaves a mess. Simply slide the stick back and forth until the wall behind the toilet is fully coated.

Let the first coat fully dry before applying the second and third coat. Apply about 3 light coats, as layers will be thin. Remove the tape and plastic bag, and check the toilet for transfer paint splatters. Let dry.

We may prefer painting without removing the tank, but sometimes, you’re left with no choice. Luckily, it can be surprisingly easy to learn how to remove a toilet tank to paint behind the toilet. We recommend against removing the toilet in its entirety so, if your tank cannot be separated from the toilet, you may need expert advice.

If your toilet tank is separate, start by turning off the water supply—this is usually a valve coming out of the wall and into the toilet. Next, flush the toilet until the water tank has emptied.

Unscrew the water hose on the bottom left side of the tank, where it connects the bottom of the tank to the back of the toilet. Find the plastic nuts and bolts under the tank's sides, and unscrew to lift the tank fully. You can remove it from the bathroom or place it in the tub for safekeeping.

Cover the remaining toilet seat in plastic, and transfer paint the wall as you wish. Once dry, reattach the water tank in reverse order, connect the waterline, and turn the water on. Try flushing: if it works, you’re set! If you encounter issues while removing or reinstalling, check online or consider a professional plumber for troubleshooting.

Learning how to paint a bathroom behind a toilet may seem daunting, but our how-to guides make things easy.

Just remember: Take your time, do your research and, when in doubt, call a plumber while doing paint behind a toilet!