Bathroom Remodel with Natural Building Aspects

Hey y'all.
My house used to be a rental for a long time. During that period, there were "repairs" made that were basically just bad patch jobs. When it came time to redo the bathroom, I said that instead of just painting over the horrible blue color, I would actually fix everything that needed fixed; and fix it properly.

Using the toilet one day, I felt quite a bit of give under it and of course, the tile around it was cracking. Turns out the supply valve had an almost imperceptible leak that was settling into the underlayment. It also damaged the original oak floor. (Sad)

I don't have pics of all of it. The floor tiles came up, then the underlayment, then the original oak flooring. Joists were sistered, repairs were made. Some things are going to be more difficult because there is a ton of copper plumbing in the way in the basement.

New floor went in, new toilet, new supply line. I did a new toilet because the old one was always needing to be plunged. After troubleshooting everything, it ended up being the toilet. I put in a low-flow one in its place. I reset a new toilet ring/drop to the finished floor height and added a platform board. Another layer of 5/8" plywood needs to go down before I can tile it.

A whole year went by where I didn't do much because I hurt my wrist rather badly. Clay plaster isn't lightweight and the motion is all in the wrist so it had to wait. Then I lost my job and had zero money for supplies so it has sat and sat and sat.

We currently have a curtain up for a door, which the cats love. No crying outside it. I have a dry toilet in the basement now so I can pull this one again and plaster behind it when the kids go with their dad for the holiday. I'm re-employed and my wrist is healed so I'd reallllllly like to get all the plastering done while they are away. Until then, here's what I've done so far. I don't see where it fits into a PEP badge so I humbly submit for Oddball. I'm kinda terrible at adding pics....

Bathroom Remodel

I have an old house as well with a bathroom similar to yours before I renovated it.

To answer your question, I just try and use as much naive lumber as possible and stay away from plywood if I can. I do have a sawmill but I think even buying your own real lumber wood in natural building. For me, it kind of helps that I literally live right across the road from one major sawmill, and just 5 miles up the road is another. I think between the two they employ about 400 workers. So I know when I buy hardwood or sawmill boards, I am keeping my neighbors employed and the wood is locally sourced and produced. It is not so much that way with plywood.

As for the renovations itself, I try and stay period specific. I live in a Victorian Home and despite a lot of extra work and cost, I try and maintain the Victorian Era look.

When I renovated my bathroom it was oddly missing a door on the linen closet, but my neighbor (a antique shop) had an old stained glass door. I could have bought a new door from Home Depot for half the cost but instead I fixed the rot, replaced stained glass panes, and in the end spent $200 on an old door, but it looks like it was forever in this house.

And in the end, it has been good. I have added a new skill I never had before. Stained Glass work. I can now cut, shape, and install stained glass which is incredibly useful renovating an old Victorian Home. From lights to kitchen cabinets, to bathrooms and windows; stained glass proliferates this old house.

PS: That sawmill right across the river from us? Despite being a 24/7 operation, we have got so used to the sound of the sawdust blowers; of that constant "hummmmmmmm" that when they shut down on holidays, we have a hard time sleeping. We are just so used to it, like an old friend.

You’ve made great progress so far—finishing the plaster while the space is quiet sounds like a smart move. One step at a time!

Cassie, welcome to the forum.

I hope Holly will come back after all this time and let us know how things are going.

Hey all, the bathroom remodeling keeps expanding. The wall that isn't yet plastered needs to come down completely. Since this is my only bathroom, I've really put it off.

I cant convince the kids to use a dry toilet or a temp shower in the basement. Now the tub faucet is starting to fail and I'm a bit overwhelmed. Not by the tasks but by the money needed to finish. I just don't have it.

The whole tub surround should be replaced, the wooden studs examined for rot, sistered where needed, new vapor barrier, green board and a single piece surround put in. Not to mention checking to make sure the wall is well insulated.

Again, my only bathroom.....