We recently purchased a house built in 1975. It is well-built but definitely dated. The bathtub is that ugly shade of mustard, and the toilet matches. The linoleum is absolutely horrifying. It is a disgusting poop color and especially grimy in the high-traffic areas.
We don't have much money, so we'd like to make improvements one by one as we have the funds. We were thinking of replacing the linoleum and toilet first, and then the bath-tub and cabinetry second. Is that a good approach? Who would we hire for each portion of the job? Is there any portion we could DIY????
Please help -- we're desperate! Love, poor new homeowners.
2007-11-23 08:37:17 · 4 answers · asked by Jeff R 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
the linoleum can be taken up by a little work on you. the toilet is straight forward, but you need to have pay attention to the details. see diy
2007-11-23 11:25:57 · answer #1 · answered by jgonzos6 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The hardest part about laying linoleum, is cutting it correctly and not tearing it when you go around all of the corners that most bathrooms have. I always hire someone else to do the linoleum and I'm a general contractor.
Linoleum squares are something that you could do pretty easily and cheaply. If the original linoleum is flat, glued down well and doesn't have holes in it you can just clean the floor really thoroughly (you are trying to dull the linoleum and get most of the dirt out), spread some vinyl floor glue per the directions, and set the squares down one at a time.
Yes, I know they are self stick, but the glue helps them stay stuck.
Toilets are pretty simple. Make sure you set the wax ring correctly and that the flange (the part in the floor) is in good shape before you re-set the new toilet.
Tubs and shower faucet need special knowledge. If you have that, then go for it. You will also need to replace the wall coverings at the tub area (tile?), some of the drywall around the tub and paint the bathroom. If it's a cast iron tub, you may have to break it apart to get it out of the house.
Remember, that if you buy a one or two piece fiberglass tub/shower system, you have to have enough room to get it into the bathroom!
2007-11-23 08:51:15 · answer #2 · answered by Dan H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First let me welcome you to a very large club, The Poor Homeowners Club. I assume that you are not scared of working and you are willing to learn. Over the years I have found that I am able to do things that I never thought I had the talent to do. It is amazing what a person can do if they set their mind to it and are not afraid to mess up. First the only things you will have to totally replace will be the commode, floor covering, and possibly the lavatory. You can buy a paint kit to repaint the tub and ceramic around the tub. If the vinyl on the floor is in good shape it can be recovered without taking it up or you can buy hardboard and nail and glue it down and then recover that with vinyl tile. I would recommend doing it that way. As far as the cabinets, it is amazing what a coat of fresh paint will do. Where I live I could do all of that for less than $200.00 in material costs but I would furnish all of the labor myself. If you are willing to do it that way you will find that you are a lot more talented than you think and you will be proud of what you have accomplished. The two most important tools that you need are patience and the willingness to laugh at yourself when you make a mistake and you will make mistakes. Just be sure to learn from them.
2007-11-25 03:52:27 · answer #3 · answered by Jake S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
use the old linoleum as a tempplate
2007-11-23 08:42:17 · answer #4 · answered by MAttsprat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋