Bathroom repair and redo

[Smart Red]

This is not much of a remodel unless you count a new sink and vanity. Here's our redo of a small apartment bathroom. I am hoping to show it step by step, but already missed out on the 'before' shot. Have to be quick when DS is working.

First thing out, after shutting off the water was the stool. Then son tore out the vinyl and the 3/4 plywood flooring under it to find a soggy mess around the stool. End of day one. The subfloor needed time to dry out so we set a fan to blow on the area and left.

It wasn't in our plans to touch the wall behind the stool, but hubby had it half way off before son saw what he was doing. I guess it was for the best as the wall beside the tub was also wet where there is now a hole in the wall to repair.

It seems that everyone wants a shower. I allow the hand shower attachment only if they keep the second shower curtain as a window covering. So far in the two apartments here with windows we have had no problems with the window trim.

Here's the 1956 wall mount sink. I believe this is the last we will have replaced in the four unit building. I've checked. I can sell the faucet for $50 to a dealer in "restorations". The sink(s) he said he would love to get, but shipping costs East make it unaffordable.

As I said, I have to be fast. DH and I went to buy some supplies and the new vanity/sink. Son had the subfloor repaired and most of the new plywood in place. When we left son was filling the screw holes to make the plywood base smooth for the new flooring. I hope to get an after photo tomorrow.

We do plan to be finished with the bathroom tomorrow. Should have been a two day job, but the wet floor needed to dry the first day. More photos to follow.

 

[Calvin1]

@Smart Red, you are master of all repairs and improvements. I also saw your other projects, they are great but unfortunately I do not have such capabilities as you do, so during the renovation of the bathtub, I had to hire specialists, the result was so good that photos of my bath are on their website http://www.aprefinishing.com/gallery/4

 

[Smart Red]

Spouse was the master. I am but a faded imitation beneath his shadow, but I love doing the work. I also have a son who learned from the master and does a lot to help.

There is nothing wrong with hiring specialists when needed. Spouse bricked our house, but hired masons to build the fireplaces and chimneys. It's just that I was blessed to find someone who had the training and temperment to do repairs and construction so well.

 

[so lucky]

Just an observation of regional differences: Here in SE Missouri I just don't see windows over bath tubs. Rarely even windows in the bath room at all. (Well, admittedly, I haven't seen all that many bathrooms in residences, but still...)
My brother in the Pacific NW has always had bathtub windows in the houses he has had. I think it must have something to do with the humidity issue, and the age of the house. Oh, and he doesn't have central air, so that may be a reason. I don't know. @Smart Red , what do you think the reason is? If any?

 

[Smart Red]

My brother in the Pacific NW has always had bathtub windows in the houses he has had. I think it must have something to do with the humidity issue, and the age of the house. Oh, and he doesn't have central air, so that may be a reason. I don't know. @Smart Red , what do you think the reason is? If any?

Many reasons for bathtub windows. Usually it has to do with being an old house with an added or remodeled bathroom. Ya gotta use the space you have and that often means the tub goes under a window.

The older homes that have windowless bathrooms are also often added -- using spaces under stairways or closets -- whatever works and where access to installing water pipes might be easiest. Things are better now that cast iron drain pipes are history in new building or remodeling and the advent of pex piping for water. As spouse once said -- much to his regret -- you can do anything with plastic pipes.

One of our buildings has windows over the tub in the two outside apartments. As it was built as apartments in the mid 1950s, I'm sure the windows were intended more for ventilation than the view in an otherwise steamy room, however, since it was built, tubs are out of fasion and tenants want showers, hence my requirement for shower curtains over the window area. The two inside apartments have fan venting. Personally, I'd rather all the bathrooms there had fan vents.

In my case, we built this house with three bathrooms and nary a one has a window at all. It was just the way it worked out with larger than usual windows in the rooms and bathrooms on inside walls.

 

[Smart Red]

My decades old washer died a couple of weeks back. Son had a 'bells and whistles' set that he planned to bring over to replace both my washer and dryer. Danged washer needed two parts first. One cost $500-ish and the second was just about the same. Needless to say it was cheaper to replace my washer than to repair his.

I went for a basic 'knobs and buttons' top loader, bypassing all the electronic features. Also bought a new dryer so I had a nice looking set since the dryer was as old as the washer. Besides, son had a use for the old dryer as long as it lasts.

Drats! This new machine -- despite it's ole fashion look -- is a high efficiency model. Would have gotten a front loader if I'd paid attention. This washer doesn't add enough water to cover the clothes. I spent some time watching it work only to see the same clothes on top of the load just sitting there out of water and away from anything that would clean them. Sure enough, the clothes came out without a good cleaning, were wrinkled from being twisted without moving freely in the water, and were full of lint.

NOT a happy camper as I usually hang my clothes rather than use the dryer. Wrinkles, spots, and lint just don't come out when hanging either and I am not inclined to ironing -- haven't been since I convinced new spouse permenent press beat wrinkled shirts (and I wasn't his mother) some 45 years ago.

I'm about ready to try washing my second load. I sure hope experimenting with using different settings will give me the cleaning I expect.

In the meanwhile, son has been making shelving for storing laundry products above the machines. I'll try for photos when he's done. He's also nearly finished with a bed frame he's building for a friend. She asked for a plywood platform to put her mattress on. She's getting a king-sized walnut head and foot bed frame trimmed with an exotic wine-colored wood. It's going to look fantastic once he gets a clear shellac finish on the frame. Want a photo of that as well.

 

[Marie Reis]

Yups. You are great. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Kinny]

I read with great interest!

 

[Tedybor]

This is not much of a remodel unless you count a new sink and vanity. Here's our redo of a small apartment bathroom. I am hoping to show it step by step, but already missed out on the 'before' shot. Have to be quick when DS is working.
View attachment 150
First thing out, after shutting off the water was the stool. Then son tore out the vinyl and the 3/4 plywood flooring under it to find a soggy mess around the stool. End of day one. The subfloor needed time to dry out so we set a fan to blow on the area and left.

View attachment 151
It wasn't in our plans to touch the wall behind the stool, but hubby had it half way off before son saw what he was doing. I guess it was for the best as the wall beside the tub was also wet where there is now a hole in the wall to repair.

View attachment 152
It seems that everyone wants a shower. I allow the hand shower attachment only if they keep the second shower curtain as a window covering. So far in the two apartments here with windows we have had no problems with the window trim.View attachment 153Here's the 1956 wall mount sink. I believe this is the last we will have replaced in the four unit building. I've checked. I can sell the faucet for $50 to a dealer in "restorations". The sink(s) he said he would love to get, but shipping costs East make it unaffordable.
View attachment 154
As I said, I have to be fast. DH and I went to buy some supplies and the new vanity/sink. Son had the subfloor repaired and most of the new plywood in place. When we left son was filling the screw holes to make the plywood base smooth for the new flooring. I hope to get an after photo tomorrow.

We do plan to be finished with the bathroom tomorrow. Should have been a two day job, but the wet floor needed to dry the first day. More photos to follow.

Yes, you did very well. Now it looks better, but I think it would be better to use tile, it is better and easier to wash.

 

[Rakson]

If the same issue is to be fixed today, it will be even more complex.