Bathroom refurb - order of events?

Mr.Stu · 1 Apr 2015 at 15:42

Wanting to do most of the prep myself, then get someone in to install the actual suite. Can you correct me on the order below please?

All items staying in the same place.

Prep

[1] Remove wallpaper
[2] Remove wall cabinets, rails, towel holder, shower rail, lights
[3] Knock tiles off wall around bath
[4] Remove sink/vanity unit, remove bath, remove toilet (cap with compression fittings where required)
[5] Remove fake wood flooring
[6] Remove radiator (will this cause any issues if its on the filling loop for hot water?)
[7] Get entire room skimmed/plastered (Q2. Should I ask plastered to use boarding where tiles will go?)

Install

[1] Lay underfloor heating matt and wire as required
[2] Lay floor tiles
[3] Tile 1.5 walls
[4] Install new vanity unit/toilet/bath (on top of tiles?)
[5] Paint remaining walls and ceiling
[6] install wall lights / mirror
[7] Install new towel rad

Any tips/gotchas appreciates. I will be using a tradesman for the install but hopefully at a lower price as I will essentially give him an empty room ready for fitting.

Cheers

ci_newman · 2 Apr 2015 at 04:43

IME you tile and lay the floor after the suite has been installed, otherwise your list looks ok

Millwall.FC · 2 Apr 2015 at 09:10

I personally would fit the bath then fit the vanity unit and toilet on top of the tiles

Kiyoshi · 2 Apr 2015 at 11:16

We had our bath/units against tile, installed first and tiled after. I think (not 100%) they even ran some water into the bath before tiling around it.

ironhorse · 2 Apr 2015 at 15:29

on the subject of tiling the floor, I'd personally fit bath, shower tray and any square units before tiling the floor, it'll save on tiles and they should be easy to cut around. The toilet on the other hand I would tile the floor first then fit the toilet, if you've ever tried to cut 10mm floor tiles around a toilet you'll understand. If it's wall mounted then all's fine

A.N.Other · 2 Apr 2015 at 16:23

It's a matter of opinion, as you can see, but tiling just under the larger units and bath edges makes for a far more pleasing finish IMO. Saves having to remedy any edges with silicone afterwards where tile edges are too visible.

You'd hopefully find that the wallpaper will go behind things on the walls, so I think 1 <> 2 need swapping if you don't want to have to do the stripping twice!

Mr.Stu · 2 Apr 2015 at 18:08

Thanks for the feedback - the vanity unit will be floating. The toilet will get tiled under.

I'll ask them to tile around the bath to save a few tiles.

Had three quotes. £3500, £2500 and £1600, the latter with me painting. The latter was also a referral from a friend, so I'd think too cheap if I had not already seen his decent quality work.

mattyg · 2 Apr 2015 at 22:13

I would

Tile first.
Saving £20 on tiles is counter productive if you EVER have to swap the toilet or the basin pedestal.

Tile under the bath.
At least if you have a leak it should stay on top of the tiles. Or at least leak out from under the bath rather than into whatever is downstairs.

Lopéz · 2 Apr 2015 at 22:17

I tiled under the toilet and vanity unit but not fully under the (raised) shower tray.

Mr.Stu · 2 Apr 2015 at 22:48

Decision decisions. Are there absolutely no downsides to tiling fully under the bath?

Simon · 2 Apr 2015 at 23:27

Why would you tile under it? How are you going to support the bath frame to the floor correctly through tiles ?

Don't tile onto plaster on the walls either

mattyg · 2 Apr 2015 at 23:57

Simon said:
Why would you tile under it? How are you going to support the bath frame to the floor correctly through tiles ?

Don't tile onto plaster on the walls either

Exactly the same way as you would the toilet. I'd use a drill to create a small hole and then screw it down

The reasons as stated above. But if there are bare floorboards under the bath and the trap leaks then that water is going straight through and into the room below. If its tiled then it's more likely to run out from under the bath so you'll notice it before it does any damage. Or even worse if its a very slow leak then it could damage the floorboards over time which could fail when you fill the bath full of water.

Simon · 3 Apr 2015 at 00:18

Just vinyl it all can make a proper water tight seal then

kaptainmarc · 3 Apr 2015 at 09:01

wheres that floor from? im doing my bathroom this weekend and want that floor!

Simon · 3 Apr 2015 at 10:29

I saw it in a generic carpet shop - think it was carpetright but ended up buying it from a local off cut discount place. Only charged me £55 for 3x3m. The 3mm boards nearly cost as much

mattyg · 3 Apr 2015 at 10:37

They look the tiles I've used in a bathroom of mine.

But Cheaper to buy and fit

the_r_sole · 3 Apr 2015 at 11:17

mattyg said:
They look the tiles I've used in a bathroom of mine.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7145/6669555931_b01d66a658_o.jpg

But Cheaper to buy and fit

you've got a squint leg on that sink pedestal unit mate

mattyg · 3 Apr 2015 at 11:20

Yeah, Its fixed to the wall but they move a little when you smack em with the mop

the_r_sole · 3 Apr 2015 at 11:22

mattyg said:
Yeah, Its fixed to the wall but they move a little when you smack em with the mop

nightmare! is that a wedi shower base and duravit fittings?

Simon · 3 Apr 2015 at 11:26

I would have liked tiles but the floor was a bit flexible even with reinforcement. However very pleased with the vinyl and its nice under foot.

Once learning is to use adhesive spray rather than double side tape, especially on areas you walk on. Also make sure the room and vinyl is warm before you fit it.

Nice tiles above!