The Low Budget DIY Bathroom Refurb

[camshafted]

DoubleSix said:

It's a Roper Rhodes design.

Thanks.

[DoubleSix]

Ok, first cock up!

I removed the architrave from around the door prior to the plasterer coming.

It didn't fair to well in being removed but no matter I thought as it looked like a fairly standard moulding. But upon closer inspection it isn't... bugger!

Edited by DoubleSix on Monday 22 February 15:43

[VFK44]

My bathroom looked just like yours a few years ago and I bodged my way through tiling, bath installation etc until steady work gave a good final result. One thing I did was buy some black liquid rubber sealant paint (like isoflex, but cheap) and liberally cover everything under the bath where I didn't want water to seep in. If it pools on the floor instead, at least it should eventually evaporate. Also painted all the internal chipboard joints in our IKEA basin unit, so water doesn't get in behind the laminate. Looks rubbish as first, but 5 years later you'll be grateful!

Best thing with tiles is to buy standard white ones cheaply and then add a small amount of accent tiles.

[DoubleSix]

Ok, quick update.

Things stalled a bit whilst I had to wait for a plumber and life generally got in the way.

But just to prove I haven't given up, today I got my backer boards down and tanked out the bath area - all the above is a doddle if your walls are perfect but theres not a true angle in sight in these old houses, still I'm happy with the results.





Costs so far:

£200 plastering
£500 floor and wall tiles
£50 tanking kit
£150 miscellaneous tools and materials

Total: £900

[DoubleSix]

Bit of help please if anyone is still following.

I'm playing with tile layouts. It's obvious I'm going to need a cut to manage width as space is about 7.5 tile wide, so would you have the half tile on the bath side as in the pic below or half tile against the wall by shifting it all to the left?

[SHutchinson]

Be like Ron Dennis at the MTC and move the wall so it's exactly 8 tiles wide.

[Danm1les]

I'd put a full tile next to the bath? Less obvious that way and won't look as odd. You'll also have less tiles and grout in an area that will get stood on a lot and get wet?

[dmitsi]

Danm1les said:

I'd put a full tile next to the bath? Less obvious that way and won't look as odd. You'll also have less tiles and grout in an area that will get stood on a lot and get wet?

Yep, this.

[DoubleSix]

Hmmm i'm torn.

It's the wall side you see as you walk the corridor. And, considering they have a faux wood finish then it would be normal for floorboards to 'disappear' under a bath but not through a wall, if you see what I mean.

[DoubleSix]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Two 3/4 tile rather than the half down one side? Interesting. Seriously though, is that the right move, your winking smilie has me doubting and it's a lot mor work!

[Neil - YVM]

DoubleSix said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Two 3/4 tile rather than the half down one side? Interesting. Seriously though, is that the right move, your winking smilie has me doubting and it's a lot mor work!

Yes 100%. even cuts both sides.

Try measuring the centre line, then set out from there trying joint on the centre line and then a tile straddling it. whichever option give the smallest cut, ie biggest tile is the correct way to go.

[DoubleSix]

That makes a whole load of sense actually, thank you chaps.

I've applied the same method to the length of the room as well which gives me this, look ok?

[bomma220]

Looks good to me mate, it's the way I'd have done it. As the other chaps said, equal cuts either side.

[shtu]

There's nothing wrong with it as is, but personally I would stagger the joint in a more random way - that diagonal "flight of stairs" stepping of the joints catches my eye.

[DoubleSix]

bomma220 said:

Looks good to me mate, it's the way I'd have done it. As the other chaps said, equal cuts either side.

Thanks!

[DoubleSix]

shtu said:

There's nothing wrong with it as is, but personally I would stagger the joint in a more random way - that diagonal "flight of stairs" stepping of the joints catches my eye.

Whilst I know what you mean these longer tiles are meant to be laid third bond to avoid lippage.

[All that jazz]

Is that "wood" a laminate of some kind? If so, are you sure that's a good idea putting it in a wet/damp bathroom? It won't take much for some water to land on it and seep between the cracks and then you will very much regret using it when the edges start to lift.

[DoubleSix]

No, ceramic tiles! All the rage I'm told.

[All that jazz]

DoubleSix said:

No, ceramic tiles! All the rage I'm told.

Those planks are actually ceramic ?

[BigTom85]

All that jazz said:

Those planks are actually ceramic ?

Yes. I quite like them too.