Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Bathroom overhaul, advice

Hi DIYS community, I hate to look like a leech right off the bat, but I have a few questions to picture your brain(s) about.

Currently, my brother has taken on a rehabbing project, and has gone in a little over his head. He is currently living in a partially destroyed house.

I have taken it upon myself to redo the bathtub/shower, I really don't have any experience ( so being very specific is a must), but I am putting in my own money to help him out, I don't really want to take the bathtub rather then fix this and try to make it as pretty as possible, I am open to all and any suggestions and advice. Here is a photo so you can see the damage, or you can click the link to see the entire album. http://s349.photobucket.com/albums/q371/Bradtherad3471/


http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q371/Bradtherad3471/DSC00825.jpg

Yikes...

First thing I would do is take all that plaster & lathe down that's in that picture. I would then frame it back up to the ceiling with 2x4's and install drywall or a cement board. This would look better and eliminate that wrap around curtain...

I'm not sure what you guys are wanting it to look like in the end, so it's hard to go any further.

I would tend to agree with Hot, but I would go a bit further. Tear out all the shower walls to the studs, install backer board as suggested, replace the faucet with a better single handle pressure balanced faucet, and not a cheap one. Extend the wall between the tub/toilet to the ceiling. Once the walls are redone, you can do a new tile scheme that will suit your budget(what's left of it), and looks more modern, as well as being functional. Tile is not expensive, if you remove the labor costs, otherwise, use a plastic shower liner.

There are lots of DIY books at big box and hardware stores that will show you "how to", if you think you have the manual skills.

Thanks for the advice, are there any specific books you guys would recommend for this project ?

And with your suggestion Bill, how would I go about the awkward window placing in the bathtub/stall itself?

Thanks for the advice, are there any specific books you guys would recommend for this project ?



google and DIY.

If I were in your shoes I would avoid plumbing for right now. Lets get you comfortable with drywall first.

Botht eh faucet handles ahve a cap in teh center, pop it off with a pocket knife. Inside you will see a screw, typically phillips haed. Take the handles off. Remove the chorme trim ring around the copper pipe/ valve. Some pull off, soem unscrew. Being old they will be stubborn. Check your local ACE or home improvment center for replacements before you destroy the ones you currently have. You may have to keep them, even with jaw marks from the pipe wrench. Use as little force as necessary to remove them. Take them with you for replacements.
Teh spout unscrews, and a new one is cheap. Take the old one with you when you buy a new one. Check the depth of mounting pipe, and diverter or not?

Remove the lathe and plaster. Install backerboard, not regular drywall. you want drywall designed for bathrrom use, backer board. Carefull witht eh corners, being lathe and plaster you no doubt have wire in teh corners. The wire is what they used in the old days to reinforce the corners, its a bear to cut with anything other then side cutters, and it will chew up your hands if your not carefull.

Sounds like this is an inexpensive project, go with the plastic/vnyal shower surround panels. Install with contrsuction adhesive. Chalk the joints and corners with bathroom chalk. Reinstall teh faucet handle and spout. Strip and relax in a nice hot bath.

I may have missed a few things, but that is the jist of it with pit falls.

Agree with taking the walls down to the studs. One other thought is to get a permit. They are always important, but particularly since you are not experienced -- the building inspector may be a big help.