It has been a long time since the last post and the truth is not that there has been a terrible accident or that I have had a change of heart with the whole project. I did not post at first because I felt that not enough had really been done to justify writing about, after that it was because I was doing so much that I did not get around to writing. Either way, it's the bank holiday now, and the extra day off has given me the time I need to get around to doing it and going through the photos I see its a little over due.
So when I last wrote the next major hurdle was the plumbing, and I was caught in the dilemma of whether I should do it myself or get someone in. In the end I settled on doing the copper work myself and getting a plumber in to do the waste pipes. I was also going to get the plumber to connect the pipe work that I had done to the main and pressure test it. So that's what I did... Below is some of my handy work.
The plumber who I got in was recommended my bathroom solutions, the company who I have bought a lot of the sanitary ware from. As they had been very helpful throughout I had hoped this guy would be equally good. I was a little disappointed.
He connected the copper work that I had done with some plastic pipes in a place that was easier for him to fit but further away from the intended connection resulting in lower flow at the taps. He then connected the waste pipes to the wall with holders fixed with sanitary silicone meaning they just came off again, and finally, I found out much later, he used a knife to cut the protective film off the shower tray, scratching the surface. Anyhow, the job was done and it did mean that I could plaster board the rest of the wall in the bathroom, and get a plasterer in to skim coat the bathroom. The plumber had offered but I respectfully declined.
The plasterer I did get in was a man named Darren, and was the antithesis of the plumber. I found his contact details on the notice board in tool stations and gave him a call. He quoted that evening and (a lower price than that of the plumber) and did the job the next day. I was really happy with the job that he did.
The end goal for the weekend was to have the bathroom tiled and painted, which was ambitious as there was all sorts of little jobs that stood in front of each task. It also did not help that the tiles were not going to get in to Topps Tiles until the Tuesday. We were however able to get the underlay boards on the day so they were the first thing to get down and the first of many jobs where I would find myself in a position that my back would regret by the end of the weekend...
We managed to get that done on the Friday evening which meant that we were okay to seal the fresh plaster with PVA on the Saturday morning, having given it just enough time to dry out. The seal coat dried pretty quickly so we set about painting that afternoon.
At this point we ran out of things that could be done in the bathroom before the tiles came so we diverted our attention to the bedroom. I had splashed out on a trip to B&Q and upgraded Charlies protective gear from the improvised RC car full face mask to a pair of protective goggles. While he looks excited to start with the new kit in this photo, the realization that the job was still a crappy one whatever you wear soon kicked in. Even moaning at one point that the goggles were too hot... I don't know, some people cant be pleased!
As well as the continued chipping away at the cornice, plasterboard was going in too. Both on the now fully plumbed wall and also on the ceiling. A job which bent the back the other way but did not have what was by then the desired effect of cancelling out the existing pain, but rather just added to it.
This took us to Monday afternoon and with plasterboard in and the majority of the walls wood chip free I was able to get Darren in to give a quote for plastering the bedroom; he starts tomorrow.
Tiles came on Tuesday as promised at round lunchtime, and I went to pick them up. Charlie waited at the flat because we were also waiting on delivery of the glass shower door, which arrived just as I got back. It was touch and go with that much weight in the car but it managed it and we set about unloading the 32 tiles.
The next job was to lay the underfloor heating which went down quite well, and only required a little rearrangement for length. And then we got to work on cutting the tiles. This was a noisy, backbreaking job that I am truly glad To have nearly finished. The £40 electric tile cutter that I purchased for the job was not really up to the job but it soldiered on and by the end of Tuesday and with it getting a little late to continue the ear piercing cutting we had almost laid all of the bathroom floor. Charlie headed home at this point, and given how tired I was, I'm surprised he made it.
On Wednesday I could not face cutting any tiles after work so I set about installing the vanity unit which Charlie and I had built over the weekend.
My dad popped in on Friday night for a fleeting one night visit on route to his holiday on the coast. We went out for a nice meal but not before chatting over a beer while I fitted the toilet. I think he almost enjoyed it more than the pub as he spent a good portion peering over my shoulder to see what was going on.
He left at 6am on Saturday morning and I thought a lie in was store when, at 8.30am, I received a call from Charlie. He had risen at 6am also, been on the road by 6.30am and was in his car outside my house wondering what was on the cards for breakfast. He had told me that this was his plan but I had been 90% certain that the 8.30 call was going to be one of cancellation.
So after a quick trip to tool station for some supplies, we set to work tiling the shower. Will joined us a little later and not wanting to get caked in tile adhesive did a great job of supplying tile spacers and testing the warmth of the new underfloor heating when lying on it. Testing was extensive but I think he was satisfied or at the very least refreshed by the end of it.
He also helped plumb in the new tap and the waste piping for the vanity unit. After a cleanup of the tiles, still not quite all in but getting very close, Charlie headed home to London just after 9pm a ridiculously generous and appreciated effort. Will had to shoot not too long after that to be fresh for a days surfing on Sunday. I collapsed on the sofa getting some sleep before what I hoped would be the last of the tiling on the Sunday.
Sunday was less productive but 6 tiles did go up, one of which requiring complex cutting around the taps and outlet. The actual shower cubicle is now done, and all that is left is the two tiles under the tray which I will hopefully get done on Monday.
As usual I have to give thanks to the generous people who have helped out and continue to do so. Massive thanks to Charlie for going the extra mile or the extra 480 miles as it actually turned out to be, especially given his exams had just finished. I imagine most people would have given themselves a break even with the relentless whining of a friend. Obvious thanks to Will for his help. And although he is not likely to read this, Darren the plasterer for doing such a great job. If anyone wants the number of a good plasterer in Bristol then do let me know. Thanks to Jim at Topps Tiles for the quad receipt split in order to get a superb discount and to nameless man at Travis Perkins for signing me up as Trade (I have a card to prove it and everything)...
