| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 4/30/2009 10:30:57 PM | It appears that I've discovered some "issues" in my bathrooms.. it appears I have some leaks, some mold and some issues..
The best solution is to gut them and clean them up ..
Do you guys think I'm capable of demolition and a rebuild? I probably have a plumber I can use to do the main plumbing but I would demo the tubs etc.
Lay lino instead of tile, put those cabinets with the sinks in them instead of new built ins?
Is this feasible? | |
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 4/30/2009 10:45:00 PM | yup, it sure is.
If you ever get your butt over here for our crumpy night, you'll see the bathroom I redid on my own. I'm sure a professional can go in there and pick everything apart, but I think I did pretty damned good for doing it all by myself (go look at my reno pics in FB, I got some in there)
I tore everything out, except the tub. All the tile/drywall around the tub went, the beautiful stick on tiles they had on the floor gone, the oh so fun rocking toilet got torn out, vanity/sink/mirrors, sink plumbing redone, everything.
It took me a couple of months to do though, with just having moved in, unpacking, working full time, kids, you know the drill, but it eventually got done. The boys in certain areas of Home Depot knew me by name by the end of it all 
After all that, you'd think I could get my vanity doors adjusted properly, but nope! LOL
I'd suggest going tile on the floor rather then lino. I even got a tile saw (wet) you can borrow :)
I think you can do it, may seem like a big, intimidating job, but if you have the patience, it can be done | |
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 4/30/2009 10:49:37 PM | Well, I think it will be a project for the spring/summer.. Excellent on the tile saw, did you tile the whole tub area or just the floor!!!
And you can show me how to tile. :-) please and thank you..
I could have a demo party!!! and a fire pit afterwards.. LOL | |
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 4/30/2009 10:56:53 PM | tile is super easy, nothing to it really at all, just a matter of getting things straight.
I only did the floor, around the sink and a strip around the tub surround. I didn't tile the tub area only because of what was behind the tile I tore out, and I'm allergic to mold (it was covered in mold). I figured if I got a tub surround, there are less joints and less of a chance of mold then with tile.
When you're ready, can definitely help out. | |
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 4/30/2009 11:21:31 PM | With regards to the mold... put some bleach in a spray bottle and let the mold have it full strength. While bleach isn't the best scent around it beats the hell out of mold and stops it dead in it's tracks. Give the bleached mold at least a couple of days to die before you set out on your quest for new tile.
On the tub surround I went with the big tile (12" x 12") to lessen the labor end of things and it looks good. Don't be in a rush especially when going vertical. I really hope you have a second bathroom/shower. Also the key to good long lasting tile is the base it sits on. If you are peeling up lino make sure you add 3/8" PLYWOOD (not OSB/chipboard) to the base of the floor you are covering. Get some PL 400 and screw and glue the 3/8 ths down and let it set for a day or two BEFORE tile.
I hope that helps a bit. If you have more questions PM and I'll answer as best I can.
Good luck! | |
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 4/30/2009 11:27:53 PM | Thanks,
Good news is I have not one but TWO bathrooms that I need to gut and redo.
I am going to do the fiberglass tub and tub surround in the ensuite... and a fiberglass walk in shower in the other bath.. I seriously looked at the claw foot tubs and if I could fit one in, I would have put that in the ensuite.. so sweet!!
But alas, its a tight little fit considering my house is 30 something years old, not many houses were built with ensuites back then.. Mine is one of the few on the block.
I'll start with the ensuite.. and then when its complete, do the kids.. or maybe the other way around depending on the time of year.. If I did the main bath, while two of the three kids are away at their summer jobs.. ??
NL, I too am allergic to mold.. that's why I'm so worried about this. | |
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 5/1/2009 6:34:54 AM | Boy, did I ever think this thread was about something else lol.
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 5/1/2009 9:42:02 AM |
....am allergic to mold.. that's why I'm so worried about this.
Mold is nothing to sneeze at!! You need to eliminate it as quickly as possible, and as indicated above, spray it to kill the fungus. Be very careful when removing it as the spores will become airborne and could permeate through the entire house. Keep any windows closed when taking it down, and spray each section as it is done. You may have mold in the insulation too if the vapour barrier is not in tact, so examine this as well.
Not all moulds are extremely harmful, but some are, so use an N-95 or N-97 mask when doing this, they can be purchased at Lumber companies and Safety Supply outlets, and wear nitrile gloves to bag all the infested materials, then seal them!! | |
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 5/1/2009 11:01:07 AM | Interesting stuff...I just moved into this house in December and I want to redo all 3 bathrooms. I'll have the main floor bathtub removed and have it replaced with a huge shower stall. The previous owners left me the floor tile they intended to put in the bathrooms. I'll do that, the toilets and sinks on my own but I'll leave the bathtub change to the professionals and let them deal with any mold issues they may find.
I've got mold in the garage I have to get rid of and will be doing that on my own, so the above is very helpful info...thanks! | |
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 5/1/2009 4:07:18 PM |
Do you guys think I'm capable of demolition and a rebuild?
most likely not. what kinda thread is it where you ask people that dont know you whether or not you are capable of doing something , without even spilling the beans on what exactly it is you are capable of to begin with?
if you are aiming the redundant question at someone that might actually know you , then that would be an email not a thread topic in a forum :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
if the actual question you are meaning to ask is . how much diy can someone with no technical experience do by themselves without supervision, then id suggest asking at a hardware store or start out slowly,
first try chnging alightbulb yaself
then move on to removing a medicine cabinet.
dont start bashing down walls without proper supervision or you may end up with a bigger bill in the end than you ever imagined.
also ,since you obviously arent qualified to do the renos yourself( or you wouldnt be asking) you might hit an electrical wir. or a plumbing line or who knows what else is hidden behind that wall.
i know, since ive chopped and hacked my way thru quite a few walls and wires and old copper piping that the mess you create. can end up costing you a big hastle and problem in the future .
before you even touch anything check with codes in your area if you are changing anything
replacing chipboard/crap cupboardswith new chipboard/crap cupboards isreally quite redundant imo. what ido . is strip the roomof all the bathroom stuff. ie tub, toilet sink cabinets. bring the room completelybare. then look at your spaceandcut the room into areas, and decideif you want aconventional tub or perhaps a clawfoot replica/princesstub(the highback version) and find a pedestal sink to match it ,
then youmay decidesinceyou n longer have asink cupboard to go with asuper large illuminated medicine cabinet to store everything in and keep the room clean and uncluttered
well , thats how i do my stuff anyways and its alot easier than trying to buy a wack of crap upfront and then try to fit everything in | |
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 5/1/2009 10:54:44 PM | respectfully
sir
please go and get laid or something...
she's a grown woman!!!!!
supervision?????
aren't qualified.....????
I don't even know what else to say...
however..on the whole bathroom issue...
if you think you can tackle it..go for it ....
I think it is awesome when a single gal goes and tries something she is not 'qualified' to do..hey..sometimes us single gals that live alone in homes..can take charge and take on a renovation...look at NL!!!...and I am pretty sure she did not have any supervision..
bleach is awesome..i love the smell...lol..i'm a nurse..what can is say..it ain't clean till it smells clean...i like to put a drop of it in my dish water at times to 'freshen' the dish rag...
vinegar is actually another good cleaner for tubs..and i do spray some on after showers...it's great for removing rust..might not need that in the city..but in my small town...the water was very hard..
anyway..going off topic...
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 5/2/2009 6:11:30 AM | oooh sir lol
well ok ma'am
i didnt think my response was nasty, it was just a lil more informed than just urging someone who didnt state her abilities or qualifications to go ahead and step off into the deep end of the pool .supervision is helpful when you arent sure of yourself or your abilities
just because you may be capable or i may be capable doesnt infer that everyone is
thats like me telling you to go ahead and pull your engine out of your car since its simple and anyone can do it. then just watch n wait for you to get lost in the pile of nuts and bolts.
bleach is awesome..i love the smell
ahh ok i see where your grouchy retort comes from lol mmm ammonia lol
on the whole bathroom issue...
if you think you can tackle it..go for it
i didnt tell her not to . i merely told her if she hadnt done it before then to basically take it in steps and ask for actual advice from the living , rather than the typing.and to try to make a plan prior to starting . renos usually work a little more smoothly if you itemize and schedule each task
stripping out an entire room can be a big step and it can certainly turn nasty if you arent prepared for the long time a renovation can take. you also have to plan where the old stuff you are throwing out is going to go as well as finding people to help move in and install new/heavy appliances.
i was just being thorough. hehe so tuck in your t-towel | |
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 5/2/2009 6:34:15 AM |
respectfully
sir
please go and get laid or something...
I'll have to remember to piss you off, Alice, so you can order me to go do that.
Isn't that why we're all on POF? | |
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 5/2/2009 7:04:02 AM | Charge! Well, maybe not. You might have a bit of a time doing it yourself. It's not really sufficient to remedy moldy drywall in a bathroom anymore. The standard now is replacing everything behind your tile or tub surround with cementious backer board like Denshield or HardiBoard. These drywall products have no organic material so they will never get moldy. And you don't have to rip down your whole bathroom either, just what's behind your existing shower area. You typically cover the drywall/backer board joints with new tile or a new surround so there shouldn't be any mudding and taping if you do it well. I'd use a router with a half inch drywall blade to cut drywall instead of the chainsaw method; then you don't have to worry about hacking up plumbing and electrical. Besides, it's a bathroom, you should have a pretty good idea where the plumbing is.
Tiling can be just as water proof as a tub surround if done properly with the right products and it always looks better and adds more value. The cement board behind is half the battle to water proofing. Tiling is sort of easy, but you need the right stuff. Lots of diy enthusiasts use mastic adhesive (premixed, just open the bucket and slap it on) which is dreamy easy, but vastly inferior to polymer modified mortar. Using the right mortar requires a big drill, paddle and bucket to mix your mortar and some efficiency with your tile setting so your bucket of muck doesn't turn into a boat anchor. The layout, of the tile is something you should get an opinion on as well because once it's on, it isn't coming off without a fight. Walls are never level and square so you need to plan for these imperfections before you start tiling. You can't stretch tile. The grout is another mixing project and also needs to be the correct type...sanded, unsanded, modified with bonding agent etc etc. A local store like Northland Construction is a major asset in tile projects. Also, heated tile flooring is almost standard now in most bathrooms and will provide you with heavenly tootsies forever. It's worth the thousand bucks. Buyers are looking for these upgrades and expecting them now. Not that you're selling, but you might some day.
You just have to decide if you want to buy tools (the right tools makes everything a lot easier. Here's a small list of what you'll need, a router, 1/2 inch drill, a big mixing paddle, small mixing paddle, mitre saw, 18 gauge nail gun, drill, wet tile saw, tile cracker, 1' tile hole saw, 3/8 inch notched trowel, grout float, 2' level, 1' level and 4' level etc etc) You'll need a half ton truck (you need to get stuff you your house, but more importantly, you need to get garbage to the dump unless you want to peace off your garbage man 'till the end of time) Then you need to decide what your time is worth. Companies like Bathfitter will get 'er done in a day and you'll never know they were there and it will never fail. But they're expensive. Hiring other people has its own set of risks, but maybe there's a nice combination of hiring people with knowledge of new products and expertise to get you on the right path and complete the hard stuff. It would likely be money very well spent. | |
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 5/2/2009 7:19:38 AM | So far my thoughts are this, it's a huge project.
I've measured the bathroom from wall to wall and put a drawing on the computer. Gives me an idea of what space I have.
I'm compiling a list of materials and tools I'll need. Sounds like I really have some friends with some skills to help when I get to that point.
The truck.. well, I'm working on that.. LOL
Went through OMG list of tools and realized I need a few things but holy crap I have a lot of tools.. Apparently what I don't have, others do.
I just wanted to see if anyone else had tackled this kind of project etc. I wasn't hoping for step by step instructions or directions. I'm a big girl and the big orange store knows me by my first name already. | |
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 5/5/2009 7:32:41 PM | I have just got to add..speaking of bathroom woes..just moved into a rental house...
yep..as soon as someone took a shower...it was leaking downstairs...sigh....thank goodness it was not over a bedroom or something...
now..do I even dare mention that i might try re cauking the tub myself..my land lords are quiet elderly and the old guy can barely walk!!
advice?
supervision?
fire away..
I am after all not here to get laid..lol..so might as well get my place renovated..
sniff sniff...best get off the amonia....
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 5/5/2009 7:36:38 PM | id say,GET YOUR MIND OUT OF THE GUTTER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quote
Boy, did I ever think this thread was about something else lol.
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dcd4
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Joined: 4/27/2009
Msg: 19 | |
| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 5/6/2009 11:40:48 PM | I love this thread! I don’t feel so alone now. I live in an old house and this winter things just started falling apart one by one. I feel like I am living in the Money Pit (old movie with Tom Hanks ... very funny movie).
As women , we do have certain size and strength challenges, but there is always a way around them. It can be discouraging when everything needs doing at once, but this thread has helped! I am now, once again, encouraged to go forward and fix things myself.
I have tried caulking, years ago and I was very successful. I am a newbie, so I am sure it will be an easy job to take on. All I remember is it was REALLY hard to get off your hands and washing with soap and water was the wrong thing to do. | |
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 5/7/2009 4:31:24 PM | Feasible....capable....qualified...materials...blah blah blah....
Lets hear more 'bout this "demo party" concept | |
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 5/7/2009 5:53:47 PM | OMG - will wonders never cease???? Free Bass is back  | |
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 5/7/2009 6:16:42 PM | | oh man,.. FB.. come on down .. I'll supply the beer and sledgehammers.. LOL | |
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 5/7/2009 6:28:03 PM | | a demo party,lol,havent been to one of those in many years,20 years ago they were called moving out parties lmao,oh thank god we dont live like that any longer | |
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 5/7/2009 7:10:02 PM | Well, some of us never lived like that.. :-)
Heard about parties like that but always heard they happened in not so very nice places, with not so very nice people participating. | |
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| Bathroom Woes
Posted: 5/7/2009 7:29:55 PM | | I think if I found mold, I would want to have an expert' opinion at least on how to eliminate the mold. | |
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