1924...

[Retablo]

was the last time this bath was Reno'd. Hey Guys, Hal here.
Sure, it's got a toilet that's "just" 25 years young. And I put
up donated tile five years later.

The dimensions are a GYE-normous 3 X 7 feet! One has to exhale
just to turn around in it. It's our only Bath. But we do have a half
bath also.

MEGA problems, short list: floor caving just ahead of toilet. Toilet
joining it on it's way to China. Door of course won't shut because
wall and header decided to join floor and toilet on their excursion.

One light, no outlets. No (working) water shut-offs.

Experience: Kitchen was far worse three years ago. Taught myself
carpentry,plumbing, electric, gas relocation, etc. I'm not fast but I
do a good job. Beautiful Kitchen ! ( photos later)

Wish me luck, this one makes me nervous. Oh yeah, rule #1,
CANNOT be w/o a tub for a max of 3 days. No flex here.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/th_IMG_1129-1.jpg (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/IMG_1129-1.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/th_IMG_1130-1.jpg (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/IMG_1130-1.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/th_IMG_1128-1.jpg (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/IMG_1128-1.jpg)

[hj]

If that room is only 7' long, that must mean the tub is about 30" long because the toilet and sink have to take up at least 54". It will be interesting to see how you make a usable bathroom out of that closet.

[Retablo]

I meant to put 8 feet long, not 7. Tub is 54".
- H

[jadnashua]

You might get a decent sized shower in there...considered that instead of a tub?

[Bill Arden]

Wish me luck, this one makes me nervous. Oh yeah, rule #1,
CANNOT be w/o a tub for a max of 3 days. No flex

Good luck.

You might want to move the tub to the living room and connect up some temporary hoses and a drain.

[Lakee911]

It looks like you have a lot of work there. I would enlarge the room if its possible. Definately get a shower in there and lose that clawfoot. Being without the shower/tub for a few days might be tough. Have you thought about relocating it to an adjacent part of the house (maybe a bedroom or hallway) so you can really guy the place? Most likely you've got quite a bit concrete underneith that floor as well as some damaged joists.

I'm looking forward to seeing the pics of this one....

[Mikey]

I'm looking forward to seeing the pics of this one....
Me, too. I used to work on airplanes, and early in my career I'd always try to get away with removing as little of the interior as possible to do whatever I was trying to do. Eventually I realized that was a big mistake -- after I began gutting everything first, I was much more efficient at finishing the job at hand.

Same for home improvement, I've found. In your case, accept and plan for having that space unavailable for however long it takes you to do the job. That would mean relocating the tub for a while. The supply lines won't be too tough to arrange, but good luck with the drain. Maybe you could raise the tub up on blocks or something to give you some drain slope. Tear everything apart, see what you've got to do, and do it.

Definitely keep us posted on your progress...

[Retablo]

I'm deep in it. Gutted all , toilet, sink out. Tub next.
Pulling old floor up to joists.

There is currently 3" of material: 1/2 " flooring, mud deck, 1/8" tile.

What do you suggest I use to restore floor height. I need the full
3" for rigidity.

ps. replacing bath drain and closet bend/flange.

Thanks for all suggestions. -Hal

[jadnashua]

A deck mud tiled installation is still considered a premium installation. Assuming you are going to put tile down again, and you don't want to do that (it's not as bad as it looks, just a lot of hard work lugging and mixing it all), you need to look at the existing joist structure...it is very possible it isn't up to snuff unless you float a new mudded floor in there.

You could sister new joists to raise the new plywood subflooring, but keep in mind that to stiffen the joists, the sisters need to span at least the middle 2/3'rds of the entire span (not just the room size unless there are support walls underneath).

Check out www.johnbridge.com (http://www.johnbridge.com) for help with tiling.

[Retablo]

I can't factor a joist equation into this. Just can't. There is a bad joist
or two...can only do minimal fix only. Sorry.

[Retablo]

drop in 3/4" ply. Mud deck with 16/16-guage 2x2 wire mesh embedded.?

I just need to calculate the amount of mix and sand . How do I do that with
the Deck Mud Calculator since there won't be slope? Just over calculate?

[jadnashua]

I've seen it done, but not done it myself. The mudbed needs to be a minimum of 1-1/4" thick in order to support itself. Check out that site I mentioned...if it isn't in their 'Liberry', one of the pros there can help you figure out how much material you need.

It is a big pain mixing the stuff, but putting it down is sort of like playing with beach sand. You can set up screeds, and get a perfectly flat and level floor that is great to install tile over. You'd want some roofing felt stapled on the floor to limit it from pulling moisture out of the mix too fast - that would make it weak. The best reinforcement material...not sure if diamond lath or a grid is best...ask that, too. If it is a small area, it might be nice to put in some floor heating...it shouldn't add too much, and is a nice addition.

[Retablo]

still pondering...pour a rather dry-ish portland cement bed (2.5")
w/ pencil rebar to create a "floating" floor.(????) - H.

[Retablo]

or, would a standard mud deck mix ( at 2.5") be stiff enough?

[jadnashua]

Deck mud should be fine a little lighter, and easier to get flat, I think.

[hj]

The difference in material between a flat floor and a sloped one is minimal, and you would be very cheap if you actually just mixed the exact amount calculated in the first place.

[Retablo]

Thanks for the responses so far! I'm going w/ reinforced deck mud. -H:)

[Lakee911]

We need pictures! :D

[Retablo]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/mxdesnations030634_3137.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/mxdesnations102352_3139.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/IMG_1136.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/IMG_1139.jpg

To top off a second 12 hour "delicate" rip-out" , I spotted this hanging
"chad" of ancient (biblical age) Bx cable that I had disconnected from the
only electrical feature, a single light bulb, 10 hrs. earlier. I previously had spent a couple hours rewiring everything. This adam and eve bx is bullet
proof. I decided to chizle the snizle against a beefy 2x3 gang plank.

Black-out. In my lead paint ingested fatigue I neglected to remember it was a hot wire. Extra 30 min! Enjoy the suffering connected with Pre-civil war building reno.

ps. There is cool, hand formed 1 1/4 lead p-trap beneath the claw foot tub
floor. XOXO, -H.

[Lakee911]

Hot wire? I hope you're ok! Looks like you've got quite a bit of work there still. Good progress. :) You keepin' the tub or going shower only? When was the building built, before indoor plumbing?

Jason

[Retablo]

How (common) bath floors were put down in 1890-ish:

http://clarke.cmich.edu/aladdin/furnishings/aladdin137x800.jpg

ps. Enlarge and read the "easy, how to do". I guess we just make a big deal
about things like this these days. That's how I'm going to approach it;
easy-does-it. Interesting formula for the deck mud. I know mine held up
until seismic disturbance from MAJOR construction below me disturbed
the mud deck. Probably would have lasted until we had established a colony
on mars. Who knows. - H.

[Mikey]

I wish those prices were still in effect.

[Ian Gills]

I like the 1924 fernco in the second pic. Looks as good as new!

And it looks like you've already got a shower. Just turn the white valve in the last pic!

[Lakee911]

Pics please!

[Retablo]

Shoot! I didn't think about that. Could have showered while sitting
on the toilet. -H

[Retablo]

Sorry I haven't kept current with project development but I've been too
busy to even download images. Just a few details to attend to and this
project will be but a bad memory. Compared to my kitchen reno, this
was a B#%$h! (four pics max per post , What gives there?)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/bathrenovation044918_3183.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/bathrenovation050320_3172.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/bathrenovation120400_3149.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/bathrenovation050342_3131.jpg

[Retablo]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/bathrenovation075508_3228.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/bathrenovation054452_3225.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/bathrenovation034252_3207.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/bathrenovation044928_3184.jpg

[Retablo]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/bathrenovation024640_3256.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/bathrenovation064706_3266.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/bathrenovation100302_3248.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/bathrenovation055810_3236.jpg

[Retablo]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Retablo2/bathrenovation064814_3268.jpg

[D.Smith]

Nice job. For the record I think that has to be the smallest 3piece bath i have seen.

[steveyent]

Hah. You've just made me fell better about my bathroom reno. I think I'll get back to work now. Good luck, although you sound a lot more experienced than I am. I'll check back for your completed photos

[steveyent]

Hah. You've just made me fell better about my bathroom reno. I think I'll get back to work now. Good luck, although you sound a lot more experienced than I am. I'll check back for your completed photos

Sorry, didn't scroll down to the bottom of the posting before adding comment. Nice job

[Retablo]

With all the continual hits to this "1924" thread I suppose
I should add a few notes before I slip into forgetfulness.

I LOVE Sharkbite fittings. So versatile, easy and in some situations
cost effective compared to traditional ways. Embrace technology.
Remember copper solder was way futuristic in the beginning.I trust
it 100%.

I LOVE Easyboard. Light, great for shimming, screeding, incredible
versatility , I can't say enough good things about this product.
CBU Will die a slow death as this product becomes extruded from
recycled product. I've seen the future and it is here, now.

I LOVE Fernco couplings. They think of all the angles. Wrap your
mind around their endless possibilities.

I LOVE other Blogs such as Brownstoner.com and a few others I've misplaced. When the going gets tough, refer to others
struggles. Misery loves company.

I LOVE dumpsters due to the multitude of construction in my city.
Waste is a horrible thing. Salvage is a blessing.

Least of all I wish to thank Terry for this site and all others for
their contributions which sustained me during this solo expedition.


Thanks all, Hal

[Lina]

Wow, nice job! I'm working on a very similar project and I hope it turns out as nice.

Mine's a 4' x 8' bathroom in a Victorian-era house, which we are renovating and restoring so it fits the style of the rest of the house. Like you, I am going with the small black and white hex tiles for the floor, and white subway tiles for the walls. But our bathroom will only have a shower stall (34" x 48"). The toilet and sink are positioned the same as yours.

[Retablo]

I just went back and re-read my last post.

I most certainly did not mean to say "least of all" when thanking
Terry and Jim. I meant to say MOST of all. Sorry for that oversight. -Hal