Started our downstairs remodel by fixing the out of service 1/2 bath that was down there.
Step 1: Hired Franks Basement Systems to come in and address 4 vertical cracks where water would seep through during heavy rains/melt. They did an epoxy injection that went all the way through to the exterior wall + a sealing/redirect into the drain tile below then finished it off with a brightwall panel as a last line of defense. Guaranteed for life. :tup:
Step 2: Demo
I can’t find the pictures from when we moved in with the hideous paneling with drop ceiling, and I forgot to take a picture before I ripped it out.
Step 3: Moisture barrier + insulation + framing
Did the 1" polystyrene foam as a vapor barrier/insulation for the 4’ of foundation underground (raised ranch). The rest of the wall already was built out with 2x4’s and insulation so I just buried that wall so it would be level for drywall.
Step 4: Lighting
Went low profile cans with LED fixtures. Really happy with the quality of their light compared to shitty CFL’s and how smoothly they dim.
Step 5: Ceiling
Yay! No more need to work around my giant shop light!
Step 6: Drywall
Went with Lowes new product, purple, which is both mold/mildew and moisture resistant.
Step 7: Mudding
Oh how I fucking hate you. The sander that attaches to the shop vac + the HEPA filter for my shop vac was a life saver… literally… I would have died from the white lung without it. I’m not scared to do the drywall in the main room downstairs now though because by the end of the bathroom I was getting much better at mudding.
Step 8: Paint and floor leveling compound
Never used liquid floor leveler before. Pretty cool stuff.
Step 9: Planning out a floor
Step 10: Follow the plan
Laid it out so my cut tiles the same size on the left and right. More cutting than doing a full tile on one side and cut on the other but looks better that way.
Step 11: Surround tiles, grout
Step 12: Fixtures
Step 13: Let the wife get the little things
Step 14: Sand down the door frame, paint it white, new 6 panel door with brushed nickel hardware.
Apparently not pictured. Will update tonight.
I’m really happy with how it turned out. This was my first time doing the following:
Framing out a wall
Working with polystyrene insulation
Drywall
Recessed lights
Tile flooring
Soldering copper plumbling
Installing a toilet
When I hung the drywall I left it about 1/2" above the cement floor. The reasoning behind the surround tiles instead of the much easier/cheaper wood molding was this bathroom is in my basement and since moving 11 years ago that toilet has overflowed slightly twice due to the main line clogging (roots issue). With the way I’ve made the room it’s basically a waterproof tub so any minor overflow can simply be mopped up.