On Dec 3, 9:46*am, dgk wrote:
On Wed, 2 Dec 2009 20:34:19 -0800 (PST), Michael B







wrote:
I think you're wrong, if you're willing to learn new skills.
I redid mine for less than 1K. Actually more like $500.
Big deal was the tile. The grout is the weak link. I took
the wall out, filled the space with Styrofoam panels
between the studs. Three different thicknesses to bring
it to EXACTLY the same point as the inner faces of the
wall studs. Then I used Greenboard, because it was not
going to get wet, anyway.
I used pure white silicone, because it's not paintable,
resists staining and mold. I used a tile style that matched
...
Tiles on the wall? Rent a chipping hammer, use an angle
grinder with a steel blade for the expanded steel backing,
roll those tiles right out.

On Dec 2, 3:12*pm, dgk wrote:

I can take up the vinyl tiles - I put them down 15 years ago. I can
pull the tiles off the walls - they're pretty much coming down on
their own. I can probably take a sledge hammer to the old shower
taking care not to muck the pipes. But putting stuff back up takes
skill - not to imply that ripping things down doesn't.

Ok, as requested elsewhere, pictures:http://www.flickr.com/photos/27610982@N03/?saved=1

I find that by the third time I do something I get pretty good at it.
But this is the first time and it's my bathroom.

I do have a Home Despot not far away and can find out how to do some
of this stuff, but that is one reason for the "do I have to gut the
whole thing" question. This is all going to take time. If the thing
has to be gutted, then it has to be done by someone who isn't learning
along the way because we NEED a bathroom. There is a toilet downstairs
but no shower. We can go to the nearby Rec Center for a shower, but
that isn't a long term solution.

The first thing I thought I might be able to do is put in a shower
body. Take a look at picture 100_0385. One thing I read was that for
an older house with galvanized steel pipes I'm better off getting a
plumber who'll have the tools to cut and thread the pipe. I have no
idea what kind of pipes I have.

Or take these instructions:

http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how...wer/index.html

I should remove the cover plate to expose the valve body. I don't have
a cover plate. I have tile and cement. What I will do is bust off a
few more of those tiles and see what it looks like behind it. No
matter what, that will need to be done. I expected some kind of
plasterboard and got cement. This house is weird. Every time I do
something I find out just how weird.

So the plan is to get rid of the stall shower and put a nice vanity,
sink, and towel closet there. I have no plans to move that toilet - it
sits over the big pipe and will likely have to stay there unless we
really gut the mess. The place taken up by the current sink (19" or
so) will likely end up as a litterbox area. That means getting rid of
the drain pipe which sticks out around a foot, as well as caping the
water feeds.

Removing the shower is also going to leave me with a shower pan
instead of a floor. That needs to be taken care of. I do not know how
to replace a shower pan with a floor.

Then there is the electrial issue. Right now, the only outlet in the
bathroom is from the light above the medicine cabinet. I have an
external GFI outlet attached to it, and all the varous electrical
things feed off that, but I'm sure not going to be the one who
installs new outlets. I'm willing to play with water but not
electricity.

Of cousre, if I can't just refinish the tub, or it's likely that the
pipes will need to be replaced, then it's also a total gut job. I
can't pull out that tub.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

If you are dealing with an OLD house that may have gone through
several minor updates over the years then you are probably better off
to gut the bathroom and build it up from scratch replacing and or
repairing the plumbing in the process. The benefits to this are many
starting with updated plumbing, insulation, walls, and possibly even
the replacement of rotten studs and flooring.

The gutting operation is something that you can do yourself without a
huge effort or expense. Just be careful to not damage anything that
you may want to keep in the process. I would recommend (and have done
myself) just planning on removing everything down to the studs and
bare floor. If the studs are OK and not suffering from rot, check and
replace the insulation with new or supplement as needed. Repair and/
or replace the plumbing which may require some help from a
professional depending on code requirements.

Next, use a plastic liner on the walls to seal them before putting up
a good concrete backerboard on the walls and floor (depending on floor
material). I know you could use gypsum but why in a bathroom that is
as small as yours? Its just not worth it when the concrete
backerboard will provide much better service for a very long time.
Use screws to mount the backerboard. Once this is done, you can
proceed to do as much of the remainder of the remodel as you are
comfortable with or hire someone to do it.

It is time consuming, dirty, and a pain in too many places to mention
but if you take your time it is probably something that YOU can do
yourself and do a really fine job at. The amount of money you can
save depends on how much you complete yourself.

Good luck and have fun with it.