My First Bathroom Remodel (with pics)

[Davy]

I agree with the gang, nice job.

[RifRaf]

CX, Kevin, Dan, and Davy.
I wanted to thank all of you for posting the positive feedback!... It is most appreciated!!!

I am hoping to have the entire bathroom remodel completed by Christmas... as it would be a nice gift to the wife! (... notice I didn't say what year Christmas though )

[RifRaf]

I have a new question.
Where the curb top/sill meets the curb tile, should I grout or caulk the joint on the shower floor side (Green Arrows)?... and should I grout or caulk the joint on the bathroom floor side (Red Arrows)?

[cx]

It's really simple, Mike. The industry recommendation is for a flexible sealant in the tile surface joint any place the backing material makes a change of plane. That would apply to both your locations, yes?

Whether you actually use the sealant or use grout is, of course, up to you. I can only tell you what the industry standards call for.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[RifRaf]

CX, Once again... thank you for your quick response!

I was leaning towards the caulk for these joints on the curb (especially on the shower floor side)... but i just wanted to confirm that the curb top/sill is considered a "change of plane" from the vertical curb tile.

I have been trying to follow "Industry Standards" (and manufacturer's instructions) while constructing this shower... and taking the extra time to caulk all of the recommended joints is not a problem. I do have Ardex silicone caulk that is supposed to match the color of the Ardex grout I used.

Thanks again for all of your advice throughout this project!!!

[RifRaf]

I completed grouting the shower walls and the niche. Working with the “quick setting” grout was not too bad… I just mixed small batches and completed one wall at a time following the manufacturer's installation directions. I did leave all the other “change of planes” joints open for silicone caulk installation.


CX and Dan (ss3964spd), thanks for your previous feedback with regards to grouting all the joints inside of… and around the niche. That is what I did and it turned out very nice. The grout color is very similar to the pencil trim… and the joints between the pieces of pencil trim almost disappear.


I am going to let the grout dry a couple days before sealing. After I seal the grout, I will caulk all of the remaining open joints with silicone caulk that is color matched to the grout.

While I am waiting for the grout to dry, I though now was a good time to install the new window decor and toilet.


I installed a PVC toilet hub that has a stainless-steel ring. I also used stainless-steel screws to attached the hub to the subfloor. I then placed a wax ring on top of the hub and installed the new Toto toilet.


I am holding off installing the new vanity until I get the caulking completed and the shower door installed… as this gives me with a little more “working room”.

[ss3964spd]

The niche turned out great, Mike, very tidy. Well done.

I admire your commitment to that TP holder!

[RifRaf]

Dan, Thanks once again for your generous feedback!... and also for all the help along the way!

Originally Posted by ss3964spd

I admire your commitment to that TP holder!

What can I say... It had "SCENTimental" value

[RifRaf]

After I got all of the grout sealed, I added 1/4” backer rod to the inside of all the 1/8” open joints.


I then taped all of the joints that silicone caulk would be added to… as there would be no way for me to achieve clean and straight caulk lines without the added tape.


While caulking, I also “pushed” the caulking gun into the joints (instead of pulling the gun) to help ensure that all of the “change in plane” joints were full of silicone caulk. I am very pleased with how the Ardex silicone caulk color matched their grout.


After the silicone caulk sets-up, I will install the shower doors.

P.S.... I hope everyone has a Happy Holiday!

[ss3964spd]

Looks great, Mike. I caulked mine the exact same way, Mike, and for the same reason. The taping is a bit tedious, but worth it.

You're almost there!

[Tool Guy - Kg]

Yes! Looking great, Mike! Nice work. Merry Christmas!

[RifRaf]

Dan and Tonto/Bubba, Thanks once again for the generous comments!

I am installing a Dreamline Encore semi-frameless sliding glass shower door. I really like the style... and height of this shower door. The door is also very well made. The instructions call for applying silicone sealant to the back/underside portion of both side rails. I wasn’t sure if the silicone was really needed here (since the side rails are also screwed into the shower walls)… but since these shower doors have a lifetime warranty, I thought it would be best to follow all of the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

I got shower door frame installed and decided to wait 24 hours for the silicone to set-up before I installed the sliding glass shower doors. I used some cpvc pipes the push both side rails onto the shower walls while the silicone set-up.

While at a stopping point on the shower doors, I began to install the vanity, faucet, sink drain, and wall mirror.


The next day, I installed the sliding glass shower doors and all remaining shower components (valve handle, trim plates, shower head). I then applied silicone around the inside perimeter of the shower door frame.


While I still need to finish up a few minor things (baseboard trim, decorations, etc), the bathroom is now completely functional!!! My wife was very happy with her Christmas present!

Below are some photos of the new bathroom.






I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all forum members that participated in the thread… especially CX and Dan (ss3964spd), who always chimed in whenever I had a question and also provided several thoughtful suggestions. As previously mentioned at the beginning of this project, it is forums like this (with outstanding and helpful members) that give us DIY’ers the information (and confidence) needed to undertake such a complicated project!

Now, on to the basement remodel (with a new full bathroom). I had originally planned on installing a modular (kit) shower in the basement bathroom… but now I am reconsidering installing a fully tiled shower with all of the new skills I have learned.

[ss3964spd]

Looks great, Mike. Clean, tidy, excellent attention to detail. Well done.

Good luck on the basement build out, that'll be fun. I really enjoyed doing mine (years ago).

[cx]

Glad it worked out well for you, Mike. I'm sure the next one will as well.

[pls]

Since you are going to do another bathroom I am going to suggest getting a set of Caulk Tool Kit Finishing Tools. They make a very smooth caulk joint. To make them work correctly you need to spray the caulk with something like EZ4T Caulk-Ez Caulk Tooling Aid or I just use isopropyl alcohol.