Power Tools and Super glue.

Published on June 6, 2006 By lifehappens In Blogging

While I wait for my kids to take a nap (and allow me to get back to work) I will update you on the bathroom progress.

The hardi-board is up. The tile is *mostly* up. The 1st coat of paint is up. I found the right fixtures. I am well on my way to finishing on time!

I still have a few things to do. Cut the tile that goes around the fixtures. Replace the baseboards (The tile fits slightly diferently so I need to fix those.) Paint. Hang hooks/towel bars. Put a GFCI outlet in. Grout. Fixtures. Decorate. and Ta Da!

So more on things I am learning.

-Walls are not plumb, straight or level. Don't count on it.

-12 x 12 tiles may slide, so you have to brace them till they set.

-Cutting tile is like using a sewing machine....just louder. But if you use a wet saw, you will probably get wet too.

-Don't talk on the phone while tiling. You may put them in wrong becuase you are distracted. (Cut pieces in the corner, not the edge)

-If you put mastic on a tile and let it sit for a few minutes to start to set, it won't slide as much when you put it up.

-If you put mastic on 6 tiles and then realize you put up 10 wrong....you really have to get creative when looking for space to put the tiles that you are taking down.

-IF you have a bathroom full of tiles you just pulled off the wall, you have to work fast to get them up before the mastic drys.

-There are easy ways to do stuff and hard ways. You will usually figure out the easy way only AFTER you do it the hard way.

-If you are 1/2 done and your bathroom looks great.....you won't be able to stop going back to check.

-If you want to take a picture and your bathroom is REALLY small, then it won't be easy and you will have to take several and piece them together! So please excuse the picture!
It's hard to see, but the tile goes up to the ceiling and has a 2x6' trim in a lighter bullnose around it.

Comments

MamieLady

on Jun 06, 2006

hey, when you come to visit will you help me put a linen cupboard in my upstairs hall?
I know you'll only be here a couple of days, but if you can redo a whole bathroom in such little time, it should be no sweat for you!

Dr Guy

on Jun 06, 2006

Wonder Woman! Thanks for the tips.

Locamama

on Jun 06, 2006

It's looking great so far. I am so impressed that you take jobs like ths on. You're inspiring me to maybe try a small project.

Texas Wahine

on Jun 06, 2006

Nice work. I'm very impressed.

I made the mistake of telling my husband about your projects and how you like to surprise your husband with them.

Apparently keeping the children alive and doing the dishes every few days while he's away is no longer good enough. Hehe.

Madraven77

on Jun 06, 2006

Did you use a good primer & in the paint that your using get a product called "KILLER".
this will keep the mold& mildew away

lifehappens

on Jun 07, 2006

hey, when you come to visit will you help me put a linen cupboard in my upstairs hall?

Anything for you. You know I love you! (plus Connor and Maddy can play with your kids!)

Wonder Woman!

hee hee. Thanks!

You're inspiring me to maybe try a small project

Oh yes. Start small and work your way up. I started by rearrranging furniture (which drove my husband nuts!) and worked my way up to paint, then sinks and toilets......I get braver each time. Who knows what I'll try next!

Nice work. I'm very impressed.

Thanks!

I made the mistake of telling my husband about your projects and how you like to surprise your husband with them. Apparently keeping the children alive and doing the dishes every few days while he's away is no longer good enough. Hehe.

Sometimes I think he wishes I would just keep the kids alive and do dishes! When I was in the furniture moving stage, he would constantly be running into stuff becuase he forgot that I changed it around!

Did you use a good primer & in the paint that your using get a product called "KILLER".this will keep the mold& mildew away

hey thanks! I didn't think of putting down a new coat of primer, but since the original work was so cheap.....they probably didn't do it. I'd better go get some. THANKS!

AngelaMarie88

on Jun 08, 2006

I made the mistake of telling my husband about your projects and how you like to surprise your husband with them.

Hehe. I tell my husband about your amazing work too ...but thankfully he knows better than to expect such things from me. Heck, he wouldn't even tackle such projects himself. We just join together in awe of you.

Tova7

on Jun 08, 2006

Looks good.

I think your tile is similiar to mine...ahaha. Love that color.

Gotta love the sliding tiles...and me with nothing but two hands to hold it in place....did ya get a work out?

lifehappens

on Jun 08, 2006

Heck, he wouldn't even tackle such projects himself.

My husband won't either!

I think your tile is similiar to mine...ahaha. Love that color.

Isn't it pretty! It's the "Flagstone" from Lowes

Gotta love the sliding tiles...and me with nothing but two hands to hold it in place....did ya get a work out?

Nails and Duct Tape! I started partway up and used nails to brace the bottom. The top ones sometimes shifted even with the spacers in (cheap junk) so I used a bit o'duct tape to stabilize them.

Of course the one spot where I DIDN'T worry about it....it shifted. Fortunately, it was minor and probably not noticable to anyone but me.

shadesofgrey

on Jun 08, 2006

I'm very impressed, life. I was a little worried for you with the first set of pictures (when you had ripped everything out)--but you seem to have done a wonderful job. What a great surprise for your husband!

lifehappens

on Jun 08, 2006

I was a little worried for you with the first set of pictures (when you had ripped everything out)--

So was I!

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