Adventures in Remodeling Part 5 - Finally Done

This is the final post related to our remodel of the bathroom. Its been a learning and actually a fun experience. And the best part is that we are pleased with the results.

My last post left off with the need to install a toilet. I was a bit nervous having not ever done this before. I did some reading on the Internet and started going for it. I first took the bowl out of the box and put the wax ring on. (Note to anyone doing a toilet for the first time. Wear latex gloves. The wax was messy and I had to wipe wax off the bowl after I transferred wax from my hands to the toilet.) I then put a bit of plumbers puddy on the bottom of the toilet and dropped in onto the floor. It went on first time with no issues. I tightened down the nuts and everything was secure. Then I put the tank on. I think the manufacture expected inexperienced people like myself to be doing these installs. All I had to do was drop the bolts in the right holes and tighten the nuts. It really was that simple. Then I tested it... No leaks.

So that left us with just a couple of touch ups and putting the new shower curtain and towels up. Of course, Jen did that part.

All in all this was a positive experience. We learned a ton during this experience, knowledge that will help in the future as we tackle other projects. I just look at the bathroom and think, why didn't we do this sooner? Enjoy the pictures!!!



Vanity, Medicine Cabinet and the new rug


Shower curtain and new towels (Jen doesn't let us use them!)


Floor with the toilet. (sorry about the rotation...I was lazy)


My first toilet install!

Adventures in Remodeling Part 4

The forth installment of Adventures in Remodeling, is really quite simple. On tuesday we were having the flooring installed. We picked out a vinyl at Wall to Wall in Pocatello - actually I should say I picked it out. Since we were going with vinyl there was no way I was going to do the install, so we just paid Wall to Wall to do it for us. However...

I had to pull the toilet prior to the installer coming. Now we only have one bathroom, so being without a toilet is going to be a bit of a problem. So we just rented a hotel room at the Holiday Inn in Pocatello. They have a poor designed for kids so it was fun.

I got up early and met the installer at the house. I couldn't believe how quickly he was able to do the work. Plus he did a beautiful job - and he was actually humble and said it was more the vinyl than his work. I think it was a combination. Once again not much for me to do with all of this... I got to take it easy.

Left to do:

• replace toilet
• touch up

There's a look at the floor. It just looks great. And it goes with the vanity.

Adventures in Remodeling Part 3

So, I got a bit behind on posting about our bathroom remodel. Part this is about the installation of the cabinets. This was done by Walker and Sons construction, because we all know I couldn't do this by myself. They came in the AM and first started putting the vanity in. Everything went pretty well - or at least it did to the untrained eye (I'm the untrained eye). Basically I just stayed the heck out of the way. Actually I helped my nephew with his new computer while they were installing the new cabinets.

The only hiccup we ran into was with the light fixture we had picked out was too big for the medicine cabinet. So Jen and I had to run down to Home Depot to exchange the one we purchased for another one. Of course, we ended up spending more money than we did on the first one.

After lunch I went to work on putting in the sink and the plumbing. The sink went in with no problem. When my brother-in-law cut the hole for the sink he did it perfectly, so the sink just fell into place. I added a bit a silicon to hold it in place and then a little more to keep water from getting under the sink. The plumbing was pretty easy. I've done faucets before so that was a breeze. The drain plug was a bit more tricky than I though it would be. On my first go round I had a leak. So I had to take the whole thing apart and do it again. The second time was a charm.

All in all this day was actually pretty easy since I didn't have a whole lot of work to do.

Left to do:

• replace floor
• replace toilet
• touch up

Here is the medicine cabinet with the new light fixture. Unfortunatly the picture doesn't do it justice.


This is the vanity that Craig, Dan and Shane installed.

Adventures in Remodeling part 2

Well day two...

Today was paint day, not nearly as stressful and hard as yesterday. For anyone who had been in our bathroom before, you'll remember that it was green from top to bottom. This time around we are going with a Tropical Surf on the walls and white on the ceiling.

Jen started off in the morning doing the prep work. She just had to tape and wipe the dust off the walls. I got home and after throwing back dinner and I got started. First I did the ceiling. Painting above your head actually sucks. I managed to avoid getting any paint in my eyes, hair or mouth. Then I did the trim, also painting it white. It was white before but now it will be a bit brighter with the new coat of paint. Just as I was starting to do the door Jen jumped in and started on the walls. I finished up the white and got that cleaned up and grabbed the roller and helped with the blue.

All in all we spent about 2 1/2 hours painting tonight and we are pleased with the results. We actually almost didn't use the blue - which would have been a waste of $25. I'm actually glad we used it because it turned out to be pretty good.

Left to do:

• Install Cabinets
• replace floor
• replace toilet
• touch up

Finished Wall



Finished Wall



Finished Wall



Me Hard At Work



I had time to smile for the camera



Edging the ceiling

Adventures in Remodeling part 1

For fun my wife and I decided to remodel the tiny bathroom we have in our house. While I should have made the first post yesterday, this will hopefully be the first in a series of posts related to our bathroom remodel. This remodel will be new vanity, medicine cabinet, paint, toilet and flooring. We are leaving the bath/shower alone.

Last week was all about the shopping. We made a couple of trips to Lowes and Home Depot here in Pocatello and just looked. Then we went back with the intention of buying. What we discovered was that we needed to just pick a piece and then match everything to it. We picked a faucet and ran with it. Oh, I should mention; my brother-in-law is doing the vanity and cabinet. I have yet to see them, but my wife says they look real good. So with that here goes my shameless plug for my in-laws side business, Walker and Sons. He does an amazing job with cabinets. If your in eastern Idaho look him up and tell him John sent you.

Anyway back to the remodel.,,

Yesterday was all about the ceiling fan. I tried to find one that was exactly the same size, but no luck. So I got one a bit smaller and with some cutting I was able to get it in. However, I flipped the switch and nothing happened. Looks like I have either a bad switch or I have some bad wiring. I gave up on it, my dad will be here in a few weeks and we will look at it then.

Today...

Today was demolition day. First out came the medicine cabinet. That darn thing was only being held up by two screws. Glad we didn't experience a major earthquake. Once that was out I worked on the vanity. My approach was to disconnect the water. Of course this requires turning off the water. This meant going underneath the house. That's never fun, but it wasn't too bad.

Then I disconnected the piping for the sink. Then came the fun part - pulling out that vanity. It took a bit of pounding and a little crow-bar work (and a little blood, sweat and tears), but it came out. During the process, I had asked Jen to come given me a hand since I didn't know what exactly to expect. I stopped because I needed another tool and as I'm walking into the garage I hear BANG, BANG, BANG. Jen had my 3 lb sledge and was going to town.

Once that came out then came off came the old valves and then a quick trip to Home Depot for two replacements. Those went on real easy. Today was finished up with a little clean up and some Spackle and texture.

Tomorrow is paint day...

Bottom line is after 2 day, I'm tired and my hands hurt.

Left to do:

• Paint
• Install Cabinets
• replace floor
• replace toilet
• touch up

That's where the vanity used to be

Another shot of the vanity spot

That is where the old cabinet was.