Shower - Tiles up including Drain and Niche

I think I'm on the 6th day of tiling.  I'm so tired, I'm not really sure.  It's been about 3 weekends of full time work and I don't think I want to do this again.  (Yeah I know I should not think it, but say it.)  I can't imagine this is how long professionals take.  I definitely have an appreciation for their work.

By day 6, I finally figured out how to set up my work area with the things I need on hand.  Don't know why it took that many days, but it did.

I also finally got the courage to attempt the cuts on the drain area tiles.  I used some hand held clamps to hold the individual tiles and used the wet saw to carve out the tile parts not needed and to 'shave' it as smooth as I could.  (It's not smooth, but I'm happy I got some curve out of it.)

 

I have painter's tape on the drain to protect it for now

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another area of the shower that has challenged me is the niche.  I decided to use wood for the shelves and tile around it to make it water resistant.  I set up all my tallest shower products and determined the largest shelf area - about 12 inches.  Next I debated on adding an additional shelf.  With our daughter needing a shelf for toothpaste and the need to store shaving supplies, I chose a shorter shelf in the middle - about 5 inches.  For mid-size products, the top shelf should hold them.  I set up 8 rows of tiles, then realized I could add another row.  That makes about 9 inches for the top shelf.

I actually found free glass tile mortar at the Habitat Restore.  I didn't know how long it would last, so I decided to plan out all my mosaic tile  layouts before I mixed it up. 

 

One challenge I really didn't want was cutting glass tile.  I heard it was difficult.  When I laid out my mosaic tile, I was able to do it so that the only tiles I needed to cut were those that were not the glass tiles.  I cut those tiles in half using the wet saw while holding them with metal hand held clamps.  I'd show you how I did it, but I don't think taking a picture by myself while using the wet saw is a good idea.  I'm happy to say I have all my fingers even if they are a bit beat up.

I have yet to grout any of the surfaces I tiled, but I'm happy to say I completed adhering all tiles.

Back shower wall

Niche wall to the right

Wall where the shower head and faucet will go to the left

I have 3 kinds of grout.  One for the mosaics, one for the floor, and one for the white subway tiles.  I think I'm going to end up spending at least another weekend grouting.  Then I have some final paint touch ups to do.  Now think about this...this shower remodel is all because we found we had an ant problem.  Worth it?  You tell me!  Comments greatly appreciated.

Shower: Bits of progress along with delays

Sorry for the big delays in updating everyone.  Here's where we are at with the main bathroom shower project.

Our demolition is done.  Warning...when you pound on a wall with the intent to knock off heavily attached tile, there will be consequences on the other side of the wall.  We had removed pictures, but didn't expect the medicine cabinet contents to jump out and end up all over the place!

The niches in the wall needed to be removed so we can get some newer larger niches.  The tiles were against the drywall.  I removed the tiles, then banged out the horizontal studs a bit too hard.

Before removing horizontal studs.

We ended up with a hole in the wall through to the bedroom.  My fault. This was unintentional, but as tired as I was removing tiles, I ended up not being as careful in removing the old niche supports.  The shower now sits awaiting the replacement of drywall.  We need to 'patch' the hole which we have enlarged a bit (!) before we get our new niches built in.

Initial hole.

Enlarged for 'easier' repair ?

If we are going to order 1 sheet of drywall, why not order more.  Our bathroom needs one piece and we need about 6 for the wall of the workshop in the basement.

Ordered from Home Depot -

SHEETROCK

Model # 14113411708

UltraLight 1/2 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. Gypsum Board

We need a way to pick up the drywall from the store.  The trailer was at the cottage.  We took a trip and brought it home, but it needed electrical work since one of the trailer wires was not connected and we didn't have rear lights.  Whoops!  All fixed now.

The subway tiles have been purchased from Home Depot - 1.75 per square foot compared to 2.99 and up per square foot at Floor360.  I did end up ordering the mosaic tile through Floor360.  I find they are a great source for variety and for allowing designers to be creative in their showroom with their own clients.  I hope to keep a relationship with them.

Subway tile

Mosaic tile

Our shower base guy has been trying to fit us in.  I didn't want the shower base to be installed while I was in Vegas with my mom.  He apparently attempted to come over one morning without a contact call with Don while I was away!  I appreciate the ambition, but I'm glad that didn't work.  Now that I'm back, we will rush to get the drywall, fix the wall, and hope he can come by soon.  I'll be at work, but that's hopefully okay.

This is the old shower base.

Floor tile GONE!

Our shower base guy came through!  He is from Shower Masters.  Don't expect him to use email or other internet communication.  He is a master of showers, not technology - self admitted!  He created our shower base, walls and niche ready to tile.  I'm just waiting for the cement to dry, the mosaic tile to be delivered, and time to tile.

This corner wall will require some creativity to make it look good.

Oh, how pretty, as wet cement goes!

When cement is dry, Don will add more pink water proofing material.

The niche will require some shelves.

I'm a bit overloaded with projects, so starting to get this tile job done will probably take a few weeks.  I'm currently writing a business plan for my Home Decorating business venture (more to be revealed in future posts), we hope to open our seasonal lake cottage in the next week or so, my birthday is coming, Mother's day is coming, we are planning to move our daughter (and trusty creative assistant) back home in June, so there's a bunch on my plate.  All these events require planning.  My main home garden suffers again this spring from a lack of attention.  Thanks to Don for doing some basic work on it and to my trusty perennials for returning even though they haven't seen me in a few years - it seems.

Happy Spring to all!