The Low Budget DIY Bathroom Refurb
Discussion
4 years ago we bought our family home which had benefited from tasteful refurb work throughout - with the acceptation of the bathroom!
I'm guessing it was last done in the 70's or something as the tiling is horrendous and runs floor to ceiling making this small bathroom feel very claustrophobic.
So, I have limited DIY skills and even more limited resources at present but I do have a fair amount of time on my hands having been made redundant. Rather than go mad through boredom I'm going to have a go at completely refurbing the room with as little financial outlay as possible. This thread should serve a number of purposes:
a) The pros amongst you can point and laugh or chip in with help as you so chose.
b) Fellow DIY amateurs who have considered such a venture can be inspired or warned off depending on my level of success/failure.
c) I can stop boring my wife with updates.
The house is an Edwardian Semi which retains some lovely original features; brickwork, lead windows, original fireplaces so I'm not looking to go super modern just freshen up and bring some light airiness into the room. This could so easily go wrong and result in my public humiliation and loss of man points but f
k it here goes...
Jobs I am taking on myself:
- Removal of tiles and retiling
- Removal of sanitary ware and reinstallation
- Rip up floors, level and tile
- Chasing out for towel rail piping
Jobs I'll be farming out:
- Plumbing in of towel rail
- Plastering
I'm guessing it was last done in the 70's or something as the tiling is horrendous and runs floor to ceiling making this small bathroom feel very claustrophobic.
So, I have limited DIY skills and even more limited resources at present but I do have a fair amount of time on my hands having been made redundant. Rather than go mad through boredom I'm going to have a go at completely refurbing the room with as little financial outlay as possible. This thread should serve a number of purposes:
a) The pros amongst you can point and laugh or chip in with help as you so chose.
b) Fellow DIY amateurs who have considered such a venture can be inspired or warned off depending on my level of success/failure.
c) I can stop boring my wife with updates.
The house is an Edwardian Semi which retains some lovely original features; brickwork, lead windows, original fireplaces so I'm not looking to go super modern just freshen up and bring some light airiness into the room. This could so easily go wrong and result in my public humiliation and loss of man points but f
k it here goes...Jobs I am taking on myself:
- Removal of tiles and retiling
- Removal of sanitary ware and reinstallation
- Rip up floors, level and tile
- Chasing out for towel rail piping
Jobs I'll be farming out:
- Plumbing in of towel rail
- Plastering
Edited by DoubleSix on Tuesday 16th February 18:47
bomma220 said:
Hi Double Six sorry to hear of your redundancy, I'm sure you're doing the right thing having a bash at a project like this between jobs!
I've fitted Lord knows how many bathrooms over the years, I've had to take early retirement through ill health but if there's anything specific you'd like advice on feel free to ask, (you're welcome to PM me if you prefer to avoid the piss-rippers)
Thank you, that's very kind indeed sir.I've fitted Lord knows how many bathrooms over the years, I've had to take early retirement through ill health but if there's anything specific you'd like advice on feel free to ask, (you're welcome to PM me if you prefer to avoid the piss-rippers)
CoolHands said:
Hi. FYI I'd replace the waste pipes with new, too, while it's all exposed.
by the way can you take a better full length pic of the bathroom window - on the assumption it has secondary glazing fitted? If it has, can you tell me - is it aluminium framed; real glass(?), does it open so you can also open the original window?
cheers
Will do.by the way can you take a better full length pic of the bathroom window - on the assumption it has secondary glazing fitted? If it has, can you tell me - is it aluminium framed; real glass(?), does it open so you can also open the original window?
cheers
Yes, they are alu, real glass and framed in the same layout as the original outers and slide up and down to allow opening. Shame the fitment is a bit shoddy as they do a good job.
Sargeant Orange said:
What's the plan for storage, looks as if it could be tricky to get a decent amount in?
Storage is an issue.I'd love to have that back wall boxed in under the window with storage incorporated into a vanity unit but then things get expensive.
I'm also not sure how you resolve freestanding pedestal style basins and toilet with boxing in tbh...
I guess I'm resigned to some nice solid oak shelves with radius corners from TheFloatingShelfCompany. But it does leave things on display. :/
Phew, busy day.
A couple of people asked why I was intent on re-plastering and truth is it's one of the only trades I can count amongst my friends and call upon so seems silly pass up.
Really chuffed with what my guy has done here today. He grafted all day to give me this surface and I've just got back from the pub with the fella...
Funny when the chips are down the small stuff seems to mean a lot more, first time I've cracked a smile since Christmas.
Over to me now for the chasing out before tiling floor, gulp!
A couple of people asked why I was intent on re-plastering and truth is it's one of the only trades I can count amongst my friends and call upon so seems silly pass up.
Really chuffed with what my guy has done here today. He grafted all day to give me this surface and I've just got back from the pub with the fella...
Funny when the chips are down the small stuff seems to mean a lot more, first time I've cracked a smile since Christmas.
Over to me now for the chasing out before tiling floor, gulp!
Edited by DoubleSix on Wednesday 17th February 22:17
Thanks Grimmac,
Yes, the plastering was worth it I reckon (specially at the price I paid).
Was waiting for someone to ask about that oddity. It's a frustration, the previous folk chose to route the waste from the ensuite above this room down through the ceiling. It's been boxed in and 'disguised' in a very convoluted way. Why on earth they didn't take it out through the soffit as next door have done I can't fathom.
I've been pondering what you also mention that this could be a useful nook and I'm going to stroke my chin a bit more on this whilst doing the floor. I've no intention to take the tiles that high at this stage so if I don't end up getting clever with it I shall just end up painting it the same colour as the walls an minimise it as much as possible...
Spend so far:
£200 + Beers
Ordering my tiles today and might go and get some hardy backer. Pondering Detra, reckon probably worth it for small outlay.
Yes, the plastering was worth it I reckon (specially at the price I paid).
Was waiting for someone to ask about that oddity. It's a frustration, the previous folk chose to route the waste from the ensuite above this room down through the ceiling. It's been boxed in and 'disguised' in a very convoluted way. Why on earth they didn't take it out through the soffit as next door have done I can't fathom.
I've been pondering what you also mention that this could be a useful nook and I'm going to stroke my chin a bit more on this whilst doing the floor. I've no intention to take the tiles that high at this stage so if I don't end up getting clever with it I shall just end up painting it the same colour as the walls an minimise it as much as possible...
Spend so far:
£200 + Beers
Ordering my tiles today and might go and get some hardy backer. Pondering Detra, reckon probably worth it for small outlay.
Petrol Only said:
DoubleSix said:
Yeah. Ordering online, how do you get that discount?
Go in and ask.I got my tiles from tile giant a couple years ago.
I got a 35% discount on everything. Also managed to get the same discount again going back for more supplies by showing my previous receipt.
Benrad said:
Storage under the bath? Not pretty but there's lots of space under there and it'd be cheap. Just add some doors to whatever you're covering the side of the bath with
Yes, that's what I've been thinking too! Intended to make a bath panel from tongue and groove slats, so a door hopefully wont be too hard...
Went round some bathroom showrooms today which was frankly a bit depressing as there's no way I'm going to acheive what I'd really like.
Something like this would be great but I have only got 110cms (and limited budget!) to play with. Given the space limitations it's probably custom made or stick the old free standing stuff back in...
Just been doing the chasing for the towel rad. No real clue what im doing but borrowed a grinder and had a go...
Went to a depth of 30mm so far, I understand I have to insulate the pipework from the plaster, will this be enough depth?
Bomma, if you're still reading perhaps I could ask a question about the order of play here? Do I need the plumber in twice?? Once for pipework then again to fit rad once Ive made good? Similarly I can't really decorate around the towel rad so scratching my head a bit tbh
Went to a depth of 30mm so far, I understand I have to insulate the pipework from the plaster, will this be enough depth?
Bomma, if you're still reading perhaps I could ask a question about the order of play here? Do I need the plumber in twice?? Once for pipework then again to fit rad once Ive made good? Similarly I can't really decorate around the towel rad so scratching my head a bit tbh
Gingerbread Man said:
You should be able to get a chap in to put the pipework in, and fit the towel rail valves. This way, you can fit the rail after you have made good/ tiled/ painted the wall and not need another visit. Towel rails have a fair bit of fore and aft adjustment, so as long as they allow for the final finished wall, all will be sound.
As for depth, it'll be run in 15mm, typically felt sleeved and then nail clipped, then you'll have a 90 degree elbow kicking the pipework out of the wall. You want this elbow to be totally buried, otherwise you will see the fitting coming out of the wall rather than just pipework. 30mm should do it, but keep that in mind.
Thanks very much, and thanks to Bomma for his PM.As for depth, it'll be run in 15mm, typically felt sleeved and then nail clipped, then you'll have a 90 degree elbow kicking the pipework out of the wall. You want this elbow to be totally buried, otherwise you will see the fitting coming out of the wall rather than just pipework. 30mm should do it, but keep that in mind.
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!
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
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
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
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