My wife and I are planning on remodeling our (small) master bathroom next week and we're hoping to reach out to the experts to answer some questions and just get some general tips and advice.

Current bathroom:
The bathroom is 54" by 68", and attached to that is an alcove with a shower stall that is 36" by 46 5/8" (not part of the 54" by 68"). The current shower stall is one solid piece of fiberglass. There is also a toilet and vanity (37" by 22 1/4"). The floor is linoleum.

What we're planning on doing:
* Replace the shower stall.
* Replace the shower fixtures.
* Replace the linoleum with 12" x 12" tile.
* Replace the vanity with a pedestal sink.
* Replace the vanity lights.
* Replace the toilet.
* Add a mirrored medicine cabinet.

Questions:
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What order should we do things?
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Obviously we will remove the vanity and toilet first. Then we will start removing the shower by removing the seal around it, and then cutting the sheetrock around the top of the shower (how far up?) to expose where the stall is attached to the studs. Then start cutting up the stall with a sawzall (using proper protection and a shop vac to reduce fiberglass dust). Should we then install the shower, or the tile first?

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What should we put the tile on?
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Can we just install the tile on the subfloor? I've seen some sites that recommend putting down cement backer board first, and then installing the tile on that.

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Replacing the vanity with pedestal?
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Are there any special considerations to keep in mind when switching from a vanity to a pedestal sink? Will we need to re-run pipes? The hot and cold valves under the current vanity look like they'd be directly behind where the pedestal would go.

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Installing a medicine cabinet?
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How difficult is it to flush mount a medicine cabinet?


And any general tips, tricks, recommendations, or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

quote:

Originally posted by Huffmeister:
My wife and I are planning on remodeling our (small) master bathroom next week and we're hoping to reach out to the experts to answer some questions and just get some general tips and advice.

Current bathroom:
The bathroom is 54" by 68", and attached to that is an alcove with a shower stall that is 36" by 46 5/8" (not part of the 54" by 68"). The current shower stall is one solid piece of fiberglass. There is also a toilet and vanity (37" by 22 1/4"). The floor is linoleum.

What we're planning on doing:
* Replace the shower stall.
* Replace the shower fixtures.
* Replace the linoleum with 12" x 12" tile.
* Replace the vanity with a pedestal sink.
* Replace the vanity lights.
* Replace the toilet.
* Add a mirrored medicine cabinet.

Questions:
----------------------------------------
What order should we do things?
----------------------------------------
Obviously we will remove the vanity and toilet first. Then we will start removing the shower by removing the seal around it, and then cutting the sheetrock around the top of the shower (how far up?) to expose where the stall is attached to the studs. Then start cutting up the stall with a sawzall (using proper protection and a shop vac to reduce fiberglass dust). Should we then install the shower, or the tile first?

Do all your demo as planned. Next, make any rough plumbing changes needed. Then install the new shower stall. Drywall next. Save the flooring for near the end.

----------------------------------------
What should we put the tile on?
----------------------------------------
Can we just install the tile on the subfloor? I've seen some sites that recommend putting down cement backer board first, and then installing the tile on that.

Do not install the tile directly to the subfloor. Use a concrete board backer or a fabric sytem like Ditra.

----------------------------------------
Replacing the vanity with pedestal?
----------------------------------------
Are there any special considerations to keep in mind when switching from a vanity to a pedestal sink? Will we need to re-run pipes? The hot and cold valves under the current vanity look like they'd be directly behind where the pedestal would go.

A lot of thought has to go into the placement of the supply and drain lines within the wall when installing a pedistal sink. Remember that all your plumbing will be visible, so it needs to be even side to side and at the correct height to work for the size and shape of the pedistal sink.
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Installing a medicine cabinet?
----------------------------------------
How difficult is it to flush mount a medicine cabinet?

This is about as easy as it can get


And any general tips, tricks, recommendations, or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Since this is such a small bathroom, you have no room for error - anywhere. Spend a little time up front planning the exact locations of not only the plumbing fixtures, but also any lights, switches etc. Factor in the size and shape of your new sink as well as the size of that surface mount medicine cabinet. Also, if you are adding any towel bars or grab bars, install some extra framing in those locations so you have a good, solid surface to screw into. A couple of 2x10's installed between studs make for a nice, large and sturdy target for towel bar screws.

** What order should we do things? **
The nail strip on top edge of shower insert is about 1.25 inches tall. I would work my way with new sharp blade and not use sheet rock saw.
You might find it easier to gut ceiling and all connecting shower walls in some situations.
Then sheet rock it fresh so you get sheet rock covered over new insert flange instead of thin strips.
1. Demo, Be careful for any Gas, Water or Electric lines while tearing into walls and voids.
De-nail any raised nails, screws or glues sticking out of the studs after demo of wall surface.
2. remove floor surface to subfloor.
3. Clean and orgranize.
4. Research YouTube.com for 10 "Tile Floor Install" videos.
5. Determine if your floor sags between Joists in which you will need to ply-wood the floor first.
6. Determine where new shower or bathtub insert lays on floor whereas tile backer stops at. Snap some chalk lines if needed.
Sometimes the tile backer will end up just under the edge of shower or tub skirt most the time in front edge of it. Lay things out first before cut, glue & screw.
7. Install tile backer such as DuRock.
8. Determine if needs new plumbing or where to cut the holes in new shower or tub insert.
8a. Plumb it.
9. Install tub or shower insert. Follow the manual.
9a. Finalize shower\tub plumbing.
9b. Sheetrock, Mud and Sand.
(clean) Could sheet rock this sooner.
10. Determine layout of pedestal sink, mark the floor with black marker around perimeter of pedestal.
Locate any floor clamp lockdown and mark onto floor to install bolt if required. Directions <--
10a. Install pedestal, some are attached to subfloor, some can be on top of DuRock, some go on top of tile.
11. Plumb the pedestal to your liking and don't forget to have a drain 'Trap'.
11a. Install toilet, perhaps will have to raise toilet drain flange or use 2 wax rings stacked. There is also wax ring with built in extender tube which can be inserted into plain 2 inch wax ring then into drain then toilet sits on top. (toilet goes on top of tile when possible. Watch youtube videos about installing toilet extensions and using plumbers putty as well.
12. Test plumbing for leaks and verify completion of plumbing.

13. Vacuum the floor.
14. Layout the tiles before mixing the mud but dont do any cuts yet. Research youtube for Tile Layout and Which wall to begin at and how to snap lines and use tile spacers.
15. Install the tile on top of the Subfloor-DuRock or Subfloor-Plywood-DuRock option.
16. Grout the tile and sponge up the mess until clean before it dries on.
17. silicone along sink and tub\shower floor edges.
(You can grout the gap from tile to sink or tub\shower but you still should silicone on this top edge.
18. Detail walls and final clean.
19. Paint bathrooms using a high humidity, washable paint. I prime first then paint so it won't peel as easily if vapor is concern.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JB Builder,

p.s. I don't think i know one person whom enjoys their pedestal and doesn't miss their storage.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JB Builder,

Got to go with JB on this one.
pedestals look nice but then you have 0 storage.
A recessed medicine chest looks far better then just a flush mounted one and does not make the room look even smaller.
With an ossilating saw there not hard to do.