Most of my lassitude for this remodel comes from the plumbing and concerns of water leakage and long-term damage.  If I can’t make it water tight, I didn’t want to continue. Obviously the install the “professional” did would not hold water. I am, however, trusting that the actual pipes he worked on are, and will continue to be, leak free.

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?

It doesn’t look like much has changed. Or feel like it.  However, I got most of the furring done.  I had to use a RotoZip, a reciprocating saw, an electric stapler, a hammer and a screwdriver. Oh and a table saw, sliding compound miter saw, electric sander and drill.

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-

Ahh, the bathroom.  It’s been one year and nine months since I’ve last posted about it.  It became such a bitter thing for me. See, I never could decide how to do the tub.  Then we finally got a tub with the surround.  We hired a plumber to come in and do the pipes, then he asked if he was to do the tub as well.  I said sure, knowing I’d never get it right.

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!