Bathroom redo

stickthrower · Post by **stickthrower** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 10:49 am

So, I figured this is the only place I can post a project that isn't woodworking involved.

Our bathroom is in desparate need of a remodel. The tiles on the wall have been up since the house was build 60 years ago. The tiles started falling off, so I went up yesterday and "pulled" all the tile down. In 30 minutes I had all the tile off the wall, including having a wall of tile fall on me. That was fun.

Got all the tile boxed up to bring into a local store for building materials to be donated to. It supports habitat for humanity. I am working on sanding down the walls to get all the old adhesive off the walls so I will be ready for whatever comes next. I tried a couple things, and the best option I have found so far has been to use a belt sander. Does anybody know of a better way of getting that old adhesive off the wall?

Also pulled off almost all the wall paper.

salmon pink tile, gone. salmon pink shell wall paper: almost gone. Now if only I could get the fixtures replaced, i could be free of that horrible salmon pink color forever. Oh well, at least it is a start!

nathan

pennview · Post by **pennview** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 1:23 pm

I updated a bathroom that had pink tile about two years ago. Used an angle grinder with sanding disk to remove the adhesive as best I could and then recovered the lower half of the walls with wainscoat panelling.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 3:43 pm

stickthrower wrote:So, I figured this is the only place I can post a project that isn't woodworking involved.

Our bathroom is in desparate need of a remodel. The tiles on the wall have been up since the house was build 60 years ago. The tiles started falling off, so I went up yesterday and "pulled" all the tile down. In 30 minutes I had all the tile off the wall, including having a wall of tile fall on me. That was fun.

Got all the tile boxed up to bring into a local store for building materials to be donated to. It supports habitat for humanity. I am working on sanding down the walls to get all the old adhesive off the walls so I will be ready for whatever comes next. I tried a couple things, and the best option I have found so far has been to use a belt sander. Does anybody know of a better way of getting that old adhesive off the wall?

Also pulled off almost all the wall paper.

salmon pink tile, gone. salmon pink shell wall paper: almost gone. Now if only I could get the fixtures replaced, i could be free of that horrible salmon pink color forever. Oh well, at least it is a start!

nathan

You could do like they do on the DIY programs. Just take a large sledge hammer and .... well you know.

Second thought .... maybe you can recycle those pink fixtures at the Habitat.

ryanbp01 · Post by **ryanbp01** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 4:09 pm

Boy this sure brings back nightm..., er memories! With having a 130 y.o house gutting and renovating was a way of life. 6 layers of wallpaper and hosehair plaster being removed all at once. At least when it came time to renovate and replace the kitchen and utility room I got to learn how to run a Bobcat!:D And the things that come out of the walls: newspapers announcing the ex-governor is getting out of prison, "medicine" bottles, eyeglasses, toys, etc. There was a time I wasn't sure it was a renovation as much as it was an archaelogical dig. One thing about demolition though: it sure was fun!:D
BPR

db5 · Post by **db5** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 4:22 pm

If you replace the tub, or take it out and then put it back, put fiberglass insulation batting under and around it before setting it in place. Be sure to seal it well so water on the floor doesn't seep under and be absorbed by the batting. This will keep the water in the tub hot/warm for a LONG time.

rjn2649 · Post by **rjn2649** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:02 pm

ryanbp01 wrote:.... And the things that come out of the walls: newspapers announcing the ex-governor is getting out of prison....BPR

Hold on a minute...didn't that just happen like yesterday?

berry · Post by **berry** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:15 pm

stickthrower wrote: I tried a couple things, and the best option I have found so far has been to use a belt sander. Does anybody know of a better way of getting that old adhesive off the wall?

So are the walls lath & plaster or a wall board?

Mid century modern is in now... you might be able to move the fixtures on CL in the twin cities if they're in decent shape.

I'm doing a bathroom this summer so keep posting here.

lightnin · Post by **lightnin** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:30 pm

ryanbp01 wrote:And the things that come out of the walls: newspapers announcing the ex-governor is getting out of prison,

I found newspapers stuffed around water pipes in my bathroom with news from WW II

Sanding belts cost more then sanding discs and adhesives clogs them quickly so I used a 9 inch angle grinder with sanding discs. 9 inch angle grinder ain't cheep though but it's a nice tool to have.

Funny I bought my 9 inch grinder to cut the fiberglass deck out of a boat to replace stringers and floor. While I was doing that my wife got bored. and asked if it was alright if she fixed up the bathroom. I said sure a short while later she came outside and asked "How much do you love me?" I don't know why you need a hammer to remove wallpaper but she dropped one on the tub. I had to remove two walls to replace the tub. that led to redoing the entire bathroom but I had a 9 inch angle grinder to work with.
I finished the boat next spring.

dgale · Post by **dgale** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 6:20 pm

First off, what kind of walls are you dealing with? I assume not Sheetrock (?). Next question, what sort of wall covering do you want to end up with? Painted? Wood paneling/beadboard? Tile? Wallpaper? I've gutted my fair share of old houses and usually opt to strip walls down to framing and then Sheetrock them - this gives access to wiring and plumbing as needed to upgrade things, allows you to insulate any exterior walls, and is just simpler to start with a clean slate. I've also sheet rocked over existing lath walls, but this changes the wall thickness and hence you have to redo all your trim and window and door jams etc.

Now if you're dealing with something other than a wood framed wall then it's a different discussion

eagleta2 · Post by **eagleta2** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 7:52 pm

I did this very same thing just a few years ago...even though our home was built in 1983.

It all started because there were some loose tiles below the tub faucet...I was just going to take them off and put them back on. Well, when I numbered and removed the 100th tile (due to moldy wet drywall) I thought it best to take all the tiles and drywall off down to the studs.

Then, as most things usually go...I told the wife..."if you want to replace the tub and shower faucet, now is the right time.". So, after replacing the faucet... she said, "hey did you notice that big scratch on the tub?". So, you guessed it...now was the time...

So, long story short the simple "2 loose tile" repair turned into a total renovation...including a custom tile job in the tub and shower surround and custom tile 4' up the rest of the walls in the bathroom.

Eesh. Projects tend to do that sometimes.

If you choose not to remove your wall covering down to the studs you could always add a thin layer of green board or cement board and spend all your time finishing the wall instead of prepping the wall. Just a thought.

Hope this helps,
Geo