remodeling primitive has bathroom flooring question

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=287x8663

Oh my.

The age-old question: what first, the chicken or the egg?

Rosie1223  (1000+ posts)        Mon Jul-12-10 01:47 PM
Original message
 
Dumb question about bathroom flooring

After years of well water I am finally getting municipal water to my house. As a result I will be replacing my rust-stained toilet and tub. At the same time I would also like to replace the vinyl floor with tile or a laminate wood as a DIY project. Do I need to have the new tub in before I put down the floor? Or should the new floor be there when the plumbers get there?

Wash. state Desk Jet  (1000+ posts)      Mon Jul-12-10 05:10 PM
Response to Original message
 
1. As a rule your tub sets below the sub flooring. A 2x's 4 runs across the tub wall and supports the side against the wall. That side is open as are the front and back. The walls hide that.The front is the only finish side. The tub as a rule or a code rule will set about 1/2 " below the finish floor.Could be more 3/4 inch there there abouts.

When the tub comes out,you will see what I mean. You install the tub first, than the floor, than the toilet and sink vanity.You may want to consult your plumber,but that is the way it is done.all assuming of course yer tub is not one of those four legged old fashion tubs !

And there may be some repair work to be done under yer tub as well the tub wall. Under yer toilet too.
you will want to check the condition of the underlayment before you begin your upgrading. Deterioration under the toilet and tub and the framing along the tub walls.

Now is the time to look into that. If or when you open those walls ,you will want to look at the plumbing,drains and water lines to see if any parts need changing. And yer toilet flange. Always a good time to change out your valves at the toilet and sink, yer bathtub tub too.for some reason people seem to think valves last forever, couldn't be further from the truth.

I don't know how old your house is or rather yer plumbed in copper or not. if it's galvy -you change out stub outs and at the bath valve connections where all the build up is. So you may have some unforeseen issues to deal with.

NNN0LHI  (1000+ posts)      Mon Jul-12-10 07:59 PM
THE GROUCHY OLD PRIMITIVE
Response to Original message

2. WAIT!!!!!!!!!

Before you go to pull that tub out try this stuff first:

http://www.amazon.com/KRC-7-Bathroom-Cleaner-Restorer/d...

When I moved into this house I had the same problem. I was just about ready to take a sledgehammer to the two old nasty looking tubs that were here when I moved in and one of the contractors suggested I try that stuff before I got too carried away.

I am sure glad I did. This stuff works like magic. Made those two tubs look like brand new again after about an hours work.

Sure happy I tried it before I went on to the sledgehammer option.

Warpy  (1000+ posts)        Tue Jul-13-10 08:20 AM
THE DEFROCKED WARPED PRIMITIVE, #09 TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2009
Response to Original message

3. You might want to reconsider the laminate because it does get watermarks and other staining and really isn't suitable for a bathroom, IMO.

Tile is really the gold standard for bathroom floors, although if you have a small room and/or you're made of money, you can consider stone like slate. Marble looks nice when it goes in but discolors after exposure to heat and moisture, so caveat emptor there.

There is an astounding variety of tile out there to choose from.

Rosie1223  (1000+ posts)        Thu Jul-15-10 09:58 AM
Response to Original message
 
4. Thanks for the responses

Our house is only 15 years old so hopefully there won't be any unforseen subfloor, pipe, etc. issues.

I have seen laminate in kitchens so I thought it would be ok in bathroom -- sounds like I need to do some more research. They haven't even started laying pipe so I have about 6 months before I start this project. I will look around for the KRC-7. I've tried to use CLR in the past but the fumes overpower me to the point I feel like I'm hacking up a lung before I finish cleaning the tub.

[formerlurker]

Before you go to pull that tub out try this stuff first:

http://www.amazon.com/KRC-7-Bathroom-Cleaner-Restorer/d...

When I moved into this house I had the same problem. I was just about ready to take a sledgehammer to the two old nasty looking tubs that were here when I moved in and one of the contractors suggested I try that stuff before I got too carried away.

I am sure glad I did. This stuff works like magic. Made those two tubs look like brand new again after about an hours work.

KRC-7® ORIGINAL Bathroom Cleaner/Restorer

EMPLOYEE FAVORITE! Mary Burnett says, ”Genuinely easy to apply & removes all traces of scum and mildew in minutes with no fumes.” KRC-7® Original is a specially formulated, cleaner/restorer for bathroom use, and other areas where the following surfaces are found. It will safely and effectively remove soap scum, hard water stains, rust, mineral deposits, grease, and other contaminates from non-slip tubs, acrylic, ceramic, fiberglass, plastic, stainless, copper, brass, aluminum and glass surfaces. KRC-7 does not contain any bleach, abrasives, caustic, muriatic acid or petroleum distillates. KRC-7 is non-flammable and non-fuming.

http://www.berings.com/ProductDetail.cfm/go/MainCategory=6/pn=1/Product=KR7;jsessionid=7830f28eddc9630d305c

Cool.