But I got to a point where I said f* it. I’ll have to trust that the work I do will not leak and just move forward. The amount of time that has lapsed is unconscionable.

and so, and so, and so

So the tubs in place, and the studs are furred. More or less. Next, the 15# felt goes up. This covers everything, and makes it everything all right! Well no, but…

Then, backerboard!

Now, let’s add drywall!

Although there is a long way to go, adding the backerboard and drywall makes it seem so much further along.

I had to expand the holes a bit to get the pipes through.  That turned out to be a mistake, as the pipe on the right fit right where the original hole was.  And the waste pipe could have been smaller.  I hated doing this part, because I had to turn off the water in order to remove the valves in order to keep the holes small. Ideally, just a bit bigger then the pipes. Then there’s always more water coming out AFTER you removed the plastic bucket. So I’ll patch those holes and call it done.

Now, anyone know how to mud?

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. Now that I’m done, I feel like I need to talk about it! Anybody?

View all my reviews

Here’s where the RotoZip came in handy:

That tool just cut right through those nails in seconds. Handy!

That wood is warped and twisted every which way. I used many thicknesses of furring to flush it out.  And then re-did it when I couldn’t drag a straight edge all the way up across multiple 2x4s without gaps!  Still can’t (quite) but it will have to do.

Now I may have to redo it because the lip has a slight angle.  I set the furring flush with the top of the lip, not the bottom. -sigh-

What a waste of money. The tub was loose, the surrounds had a lot of give and none of it would ever have been waterproof.  And he use plain drywall screws to attach the surround. That would have lasted a year or so. After months of doubt, I tore it all out and returned it.  Well, I tried to anyway.  On two separate occasions I stopped at the front desk and asked if I could return it, even though it had been installed, and holes cut in it. They said sure, no problem, just bring it in.  So when I finally did they said no, it has holes in it, we can’t resell it.  Ass hats.  I didn’t use their store for months afterward. Well, they did refund the tub price.

But let me back up a bit.  I never did post about installing the CBU and tile.  Here’s the floor after it was slathered in mastic and covered with backer.

Here’s the tile layout.

Cleaning up after grouting.

Here’s Madison, thinking she will have a new bathroom soon. Guess I fooled her, huh. -sigh-

So basically, the bathroom has been used as a storage closet for the last two years.

After much harping, complaining and snide comments, I went back to work. First, I had multiple Skype conversations with my friend who used to work construction. And who is, incidentally, a member of Mensa. He showed remarkable restraint and gave me a few pointers.

First, I had to get a tub. Before it was finally placed (set in cement as it were) I must have set it in its alcove and removed it 15 times.  Good thing too, as it can’t be slid in; it has to be set directly on top of the pile and smooshed until it’s resting on the ledger board.  Doing this isn’t as easy as you might think. I couldn’t drop it straight in as the spout and handle protrude out from the wall. So you have to tilt one end, then schooch it over and drop it in. It’s a tight fit; I ended up sanding some of the 2x4s for that little extra space. Anyway, practice made perfect and it seemed to work fine.

I didn’t want to use cement for the bed. The instructions said to use paster of paris or casting plaster.  Well, that’s $60 I won’t ever see again.  You see the white rings on the felt above?  That’s about as far as I got.  The stuff turned to stone while I was still mixing it. I tried to dump it out by upending it, but it was too late.

So I ended up using cement. Much easier to mix and plenty of working time.

So I placed the tub, then nailed it in.  Had to use shims everywhere. Between the settling of the house and the careless construction, there’s nary a straight or even board to be found.

Today I started furring above the tub. This allows the backerboard to come down over the lip of the tub without bowing.

I had the insulation stapled directly to front facing part of the 2x4s. Today I decided it would be better to staple it to the sides instead. This would make it easier to work with the furring strips. There’s a lot of guess work with this process.

When I was done, I noticed all the dark spots on the wood where water had penetrated. Mostly it was where the drywall had been nailed.

It would probably have been fine, but I erred on the side of caution. I took a large drill bit and cleaned out that nasty stuff.  Then I filled with wood filler.

After I sand that down, I’ll continue with the furring and hopefully the backboard!

It’s been nearly FIVE MONTHS since I signed the papers for the siding on my house.  Apparently there was a big mix up with the colors, between the siding company and James Hardie. I probably still wouldn’t know about it if I hadn’t called.  This siding company has an outstanding reputation on Angie’s List.  We will see how they fare on the list after they finish the install. They did extend a 5% discount from the quoted price. That is nice, but COMMUNICATION would have been nicer.

But there is a problem. The coupon(s) aren’t scanning correctly. Bam, the register is locked up. So we (by this time there are more people in line behind me) wait while the cashier goes to find someone to call for a CSM.

OK, now this is where I start to like the cashier!  While he’s waiting for CSM to come, he jumps on another register and asks if he can help me. As I’m approaching, she gets a panicky look and sounds out “Can you call the CSM again?  I’ve got a doctors appointment in five minutes!”

As the cashier is helping me with my thirty second purchase, I begin to smile a little. As I walk out, get in my car and drive away, I’m thinking that she may be there awhile, waiting on that CSM. Ain’t karma a bitch?