Tacoma Park Bathroom Remodel: A Case Study
Overview
Some bathroom remodels are more extensive than others. In this case study, we are reviewing a complete bathroom gut job that affected an adjacent bedroom located in Tacoma Park. MD. This bathroom had a cracked and damaged floor as well as a crack in the wall. To complete this renovation, the contractor had to take this bathroom down to the studs.
What ultimately drove the homeowners to do this remodel was aesthetics. In addition to wanting to repair the damage, they also wanted something different and stylish; they wanted to put their personal design mark on their bathroom.
Project Details
Once everything was removed from this bathroom, the debris had to be hauled to a dumpsite. After that was taken care of, replacement materials could be brought in. This remodel used materials from faucetdirect.com, wedicorp.com, and tileshop.com. Additionally, the homeowner opted to select and provide certain materials and design elements such as the tiles and vanity.
This is a great way to save money. If you go to a local tile store or stone yard, you can find left over tiles and countertop pieces from previous jobs at a fraction of the cost. While there is often not enough countertop left over to do a large project such as a whole kitchen, there is usually enough for smaller items such as a bathroom vanity. The same holds true for tiles.
Construction
The first step in any bathroom gut job is to lay down subfloor plywood and cover that with cement board. Cement board is necessary as it is highly resistant to absorbing water—something any homeowner wants and needs in their bathroom. This helps prevent mold and protects the subfloor from water damage. In that same vein, the construction team installed water resistant drywall as well. Additionally, the shower wall was extended back about three feet.
Next, the construction team installed customer supplied tiles on the walls and floors, installed built-in shelving to add storage, and installed a customer supplied vanity with countertop, medicine cabinet, and baseboards.
During the construction phase, the radiator was detached and reinstalled in a different location. This affected other rooms in the house, so some additional drywall was required where the heater faceplate used to be.
Plumbing and Electric
Aside from the radiator, plumbing in this project was minimal. This remodel only required installing new faucets for the sink and bathtub as well as installing a new toilet provided by the customer. Electrical was also fairly simple. This remodel called for a new vanity light, a GFCI outlet, and a couple of new switches.
Even though this project required the bathroom be taken down to the studs, it was still very affordable. While a complete tear-down may seem intimidating, it can actually save you money in the end. When everything is exposed, you can see any potential issue and fix it before it becomes a financial problem. Plus, you also have the benefit of knowing exactly what materials are being installed and knowing that the job is being done properly.
