DIY/Home Improvement Thread

[tom27111]

1 minute ago, Strokes said:

Were you giving him a reacharound there then? Astonishingly, he has the same cumface as my wife then.

 

Put it this way, that IS NOT a beard 

[Jattdogg]

Ffs

[tom27111]

The bathroom renovation has stalled.

 

I cracked on really well yesterday and got loads done. Floor is grouted, all the old tiles are stripped and I've tiled a lot of one wall.

 

My back is fvcking killing me though, so taken it easy today.

 

Plus, no DIY shop sells the corner trim I need to tile around the recessed window and an external cornered wall.

 

I can order it from Victoria Plumb, but it takes 5 days to arrive.

 

Might just stick an aluminium profile on it all instead.

 

And the wall that the toilet is fixed to is an utter nightmare, so many pipes to cut tiles around. I'm just going to box the pipes in and simplify it. 

 

I've updated the family WhatsApp stating due to unforseen issues and budget increases, work is unlikely to be completed before winter 2023 

[Jattdogg]

5 hours ago, tom27111 said:

The bathroom renovation has stalled.

 

I cracked on really well yesterday and got loads done. Floor is grouted, all the old tiles are stripped and I've tiled a lot of one wall.

 

My back is fvcking killing me though, so taken it easy today.

 

Plus, no DIY shop sells the corner trim I need to tile around the recessed window and an external cornered wall.

 

I can order it from Victoria Plumb, but it takes 5 days to arrive.

 

Might just stick an aluminium profile on it all instead.

 

And the wall that the toilet is fixed to is an utter nightmare, so many pipes to cut tiles around. I'm just going to box the pipes in and simplify it. 

 

I've updated the family WhatsApp stating due to unforseen issues and budget increases, work is unlikely to be completed before winter 2023 

Lol.

 

I have never attempted tiling. Did you just youtube it and giver-a-go or something you learned elsewhere? 

 

I'd hate to try for the first time on my floor and mess it up. Guess i could try it with fake tiles and a 4x8 peice of plywood or something to see how it goes lol.

 

Always nice to get home modifications/renos done by yourself I have done so much, saved a boatload and learned from mistakes, trial and error.  Just fixed the fooking ceiling fan

 

Recently, had to fill in some concrete that had eroded between my garage door and the upper  wood frame along the foor. Lots of youtubing, and just going at it (my specialty). They don't teach that in math science at uni do they?

 

Keep up the good work everyone!

 

 

[tom27111]

23 hours ago, Jattdogg said:

Lol.

 

I have never attempted tiling. Did you just youtube it and giver-a-go or something you learned elsewhere? 

 

I'd hate to try for the first time on my floor and mess it up. Guess i could try it with fake tiles and a 4x8 peice of plywood or something to see how it goes lol.

 

Always nice to get home modifications/renos done by yourself I have done so much, saved a boatload and learned from mistakes, trial and error.  Just fixed the fooking ceiling fan

 

Recently, had to fill in some concrete that had eroded between my garage door and the upper  wood frame along the foor. Lots of youtubing, and just going at it (my specialty). They don't teach that in math science at uni do they?

 

Keep up the good work everyone!

 

 

 

I don't really know how I figured it out. Just kind of threw myself in to it.

 

My dad did literally everything around our house when I was a kid, so it's just kind of rubbed off on me that if something needs doing, I'll give it a go. 

 

First time I've used tiles this big for a wall, they're 60x30, so pretty big. Used them on floors before.

 

It's just a case of being patient really. Something that I'm not good at!

 

With my DIY projects, there's usually lots of swearing and a considerable amount of blood. Nothing too serious...yet.

 

There was as much blood on the floor from my knee last week as there was grout 

Edited 4 September 2023 by tom27111

[Parafox]

I need to re-grout the bathroom floor.

 

I have scraped out much of the old grout and hopefully gone deep enough to allow new grout to be more than just a skim.

 

My question is, having found it difficult getting a good finish on grouting, what tips would anyone that has done it to a decent finish, have?

 

Also I need to replace some sealant. When I've done this before, I've cut the nozzle of the tube at an angle but I seem to often over apply and have to wipe a lot off using a wet finger (!) There's always a lot of sealant that "overflows" along the sides of the gap I'm trying fill neatly which I then struggle to wipe away cleanly.

 

@tom27111 

 

 

 

Edited 28 October 2023 by Parafox

[tom27111]

22 hours ago, Parafox said:

I need to re-grout the bathroom floor.

 

I have scraped out much of the old grout and hopefully gone deep enough to allow new grout to be more than just a skim.

 

My question is, having found it difficult getting a good finish on grouting, what tips would anyone that has done it to a decent finish, have?

 

Also I need to replace some sealant. When I've done this before, I've cut the nozzle of the tube at an angle but I seem to often over apply and have to wipe a lot off using a wet finger (!) There's always a lot of sealant that "overflows" along the sides of the gap I'm trying fill neatly which I then struggle to wipe away cleanly.

 

@tom27111 

 

 

 

 

These are the 2 things I really hate doing.

 

With regards to grouting, I always use a grouting bag as opposed to a float. Then I just run my finger along it to give it a nice finish and wipe over with a damp cloth. Depends how many tiles you're doing, I've been known to tear my finger to bits doing it like that, but you don't notice until it's all finished!

 

With the sealant, I struggle. Pretty much the same as you, cut the nozzle at an angle and again, use a damp cloth.

 

I always have a big surplus to wipe off.

 

Sometimes, I do it once, so it's actually sealed, then a day later, I'll go over it again to get a nicer looking finish.

Edited 29 October 2023 by tom27111

[NAKC20]

22 hours ago, Parafox said:

I need to re-grout the bathroom floor.

 

I have scraped out much of the old grout and hopefully gone deep enough to allow new grout to be more than just a skim.

 

My question is, having found it difficult getting a good finish on grouting, what tips would anyone that has done it to a decent finish, have?

 

Also I need to replace some sealant. When I've done this before, I've cut the nozzle of the tube at an angle but I seem to often over apply and have to wipe a lot off using a wet finger (!) There's always a lot of sealant that "overflows" along the sides of the gap I'm trying fill neatly which I then struggle to wipe away cleanly.

 

@tom27111 

 

 

 

Best way really is to use a grouting float pushing it down as best you can and cleaning away as much as possible off the tiles as you go. Then leave it to dry for possibly 5-10 minutes and then go over it with a damp, but not to wet, sponge. Then leave it to dry again until you can only just rub it off the tiles and then go over it with a dry cloth going 45 degrees to the joints so as not to rub this out. The drying times all depends on obviously how warm the room is.

Regarding the siliconing you can spend a bit of time putting masking tape along both sides of where you want to seal and then after you have gone along it pull the tape off straight away. Either that or you can buy tools to create a better finish but you have to clean the excess silicone of the tool as you go along.

[tom27111]

Slightly related, I've almost done the bathroom.

 

Looks great and I'm really happy with it. It's useable, but still needs a few finishing touches.

 

But, where I've tiled above the window, I'm still having to prop the tile up because after 3 weeks, the adhesive still hasn't dried!

 

It's is setting, but taking forever. It isn't even that cold in there.

 

I need that to set before I can grout around it, plus fix the last 2 tiles at the top of the recessed window.

 

No idea why it's taking so long, the others set as you'd expect.

 

Fitted a new shower unit, which is great. A double headed thing that just went in to the existing power shower.

 

And the radiator wall where we want the towel rail to replace the radiator...well I'm waiting on a friend of a friend to do the plumbing work, so I've made a feature wall with wallpaper. I like it that much, I might keep it wallpapered when the towel rail is fitted.

 

Picture of offending tile and wallpaper below.

 

And yeah, that's Gary the Gorilla. He watches over my toothbrush 

[Parafox]

2 minutes ago, tom27111 said:

Slightly related, I've almost done the bathroom.

 

Looks great and I'm really happy with it. It's useable, but still needs a few finishing touches.

 

But, where I've tiled above the window, I'm still having to prop the tile up because after 3 weeks, the adhesive still hasn't dried!

 

It's is setting, but taking forever. It isn't even that cold in there.

 

I need that to set before I can grout around it, plus fix the last 2 tiles at the top of the recessed window.

 

No idea why it's taking so long, the others set as you'd expect.

 

Fitted a new shower unit, which is great. A double headed thing that just went in to the existing power shower.

 

And the radiator wall where we want the towel rail to replace the radiator...well I'm waiting on a friend of a friend to do the plumbing work, so I've made a feature wall with wallpaper. I like it that much, I might keep it wallpapered when the towel rail is fitted.

 

Picture of offending tile and wallpaper below.

 

And yeah, that's Gary the Gorilla. He watches over my toothbrush 

 

I would recommend this:

 

 

[NAKC20]

24 minutes ago, tom27111 said:

Slightly related, I've almost done the bathroom.

 

Looks great and I'm really happy with it. It's useable, but still needs a few finishing touches.

 

But, where I've tiled above the window, I'm still having to prop the tile up because after 3 weeks, the adhesive still hasn't dried!

 

It's is setting, but taking forever. It isn't even that cold in there.

 

I need that to set before I can grout around it, plus fix the last 2 tiles at the top of the recessed window.

 

No idea why it's taking so long, the others set as you'd expect.

 

Fitted a new shower unit, which is great. A double headed thing that just went in to the existing power shower.

 

And the radiator wall where we want the towel rail to replace the radiator...well I'm waiting on a friend of a friend to do the plumbing work, so I've made a feature wall with wallpaper. I like it that much, I might keep it wallpapered when the towel rail is fitted.

 

Picture of offending tile and wallpaper below.

 

And yeah, that's Gary the Gorilla. He watches over my toothbrush 

If it aint set after 3 weeks it aint gonna set. Personally i would take it off and refit it. Have you 'roughed up' the walls first? Scratching grooves into the plaster with a large flat headed screwdriver for instance allows the adhesive to make a better contact. Also have you primed the walls first? And as they are such large tiles what type of adhesive are you using? A lot of the ready mixed adhesives are only recommended for upto 300mm x 300mm tiles. I would imagine as its not been grouted yet the steam and moisture is getting behind the tiles hence why its not drying. 

[tom27111]

Just now, NAKC20 said:

If it aint set after 3 weeks it aint gonna set. Personally i would take it off and refit it. Have you 'roughed up' the walls first? Scratching grooves into the plaster with a large flat headed screwdriver for instance allows the adhesive to make a better contact. Also have you primed the walls first? And as they are such large tiles what type of adhesive are you using? A lot of the ready mixed adhesives are only recommended for upto 300mm x 300mm tiles. I would imagine as its not been grouted yet the steam and moisture is getting behind the tiles hence why its not drying. 

 

Yeah, did all that.

 

Didn't do anything different to the rest of the tiles.

 

Strangely, just one on the wall opposite was exactly the same. It has now set totally, so I reckon this one will be the same, as frustrating as it is.

 

The adhesive is ready mixed, but says tiles of that size are fine. It's an eye wateringly expensive waterproof one.

 

As we have another bathroom downstairs, we've been using that still, so the moisture/steam theory doesn't add up. Plus we have an extractor fan in there that runs low level 24/7.

 

I've had the heating on in the last few days and that's definitely helped it.

 

Just so weird that it's literally two tiles out of the roughly 100 that I've fitted!

 

I just want to get the 2 underneath fitted so I can get the final touches done.

[NAKC20]

21 minutes ago, tom27111 said:

 

Yeah, did all that.

 

Didn't do anything different to the rest of the tiles.

 

Strangely, just one on the wall opposite was exactly the same. It has now set totally, so I reckon this one will be the same, as frustrating as it is.

 

The adhesive is ready mixed, but says tiles of that size are fine. It's an eye wateringly expensive waterproof one.

 

As we have another bathroom downstairs, we've been using that still, so the moisture/steam theory doesn't add up. Plus we have an extractor fan in there that runs low level 24/7.

 

I've had the heating on in the last few days and that's definitely helped it.

 

Just so weird that it's literally two tiles out of the roughly 100 that I've fitted!

 

I just want to get the 2 underneath fitted so I can get the final touches done.

Mmm does seem strange. Perhaps the easiest option is to put up a curtain pole with a bracket in the middle so at least then you are screwing the tile to the wall 🤣

[tom27111]

8 minutes ago, NAKC20 said:

Mmm does seem strange. Perhaps the easiest option is to put up a curtain pole with a bracket in the middle so at least then you are screwing the tile to the wall 🤣

 

I don't drill through tiles anymore. Just ask @Strokes 

 

These beasts are 9mm thick.

 

I might get in there with a hairdryer tomorrow night!

 

Just bloody annoying, it could've been finished a fortnight ago if the sodding thing set as it should.

Edited 29 October 2023 by tom27111

[NAKC20]

1 minute ago, tom27111 said:

 

I don't drill through tiles anymore. Just ask @Strokes 

 

These beasts are 90mm thick.

 

I might get in there with a hairdryer tomorrow night!

 

Just bloody annoying, it could've been finished a fortnight ago if the sodding thing set as it should.

90mm thick!!!!! Im not suprised the adhesive is taking a long time to hold it up 🤣🤣🤣

[tom27111]

Just now, NAKC20 said:

90mm thick!!!!! Im not suprised the adhesive is taking a long time to hold it up 🤣🤣🤣

 

Yeah, I quickly edited that 

 

9mm!

 

I'd have halved the sized of the bathroom if they were 90mm!

[Strokes]

1 hour ago, tom27111 said:

 

I don't drill through tiles anymore. Just ask @Strokes 

 

These beasts are 9mm thick.

 

I might get in there with a hairdryer tomorrow night!

 

Just bloody annoying, it could've been finished a fortnight ago if the sodding thing set as it should.

Just use a nail gun mate.

 

[ajthefox]

18 hours ago, tom27111 said:

 

Yeah, did all that.

 

Didn't do anything different to the rest of the tiles.

 

Strangely, just one on the wall opposite was exactly the same. It has now set totally, so I reckon this one will be the same, as frustrating as it is.

 

The adhesive is ready mixed, but says tiles of that size are fine. It's an eye wateringly expensive waterproof one.

 

As we have another bathroom downstairs, we've been using that still, so the moisture/steam theory doesn't add up. Plus we have an extractor fan in there that runs low level 24/7.

 

I've had the heating on in the last few days and that's definitely helped it.

 

Just so weird that it's literally two tiles out of the roughly 100 that I've fitted!

 

I just want to get the 2 underneath fitted so I can get the final touches done.

Did you notice anything before you applied the adhesive there? 

 

It may be that there was/is a higher moisture content in that area around the window head and that's meant the adhesive has not set so well.

[Tommy G]

19 hours ago, tom27111 said:

Slightly related, I've almost done the bathroom.

 

Looks great and I'm really happy with it. It's useable, but still needs a few finishing touches.

 

But, where I've tiled above the window, I'm still having to prop the tile up because after 3 weeks, the adhesive still hasn't dried!

 

It's is setting, but taking forever. It isn't even that cold in there.

 

I need that to set before I can grout around it, plus fix the last 2 tiles at the top of the recessed window.

 

No idea why it's taking so long, the others set as you'd expect.

 

Fitted a new shower unit, which is great. A double headed thing that just went in to the existing power shower.

 

And the radiator wall where we want the towel rail to replace the radiator...well I'm waiting on a friend of a friend to do the plumbing work, so I've made a feature wall with wallpaper. I like it that much, I might keep it wallpapered when the towel rail is fitted.

 

Picture of offending tile and wallpaper below.

 

And yeah, that's Gary the Gorilla. He watches over my toothbrush 

Wallpaper in a bathroom - you're brave! Tiling looks decent for a DIY job 

[rachhere]

We really need to get our downstairs internal doors replaced. One door keeps on falling off its hinges and another gets stuck whenever you close it. Not to mention they are really quite ugly doors that were here before we moved in! 
 

Ideally I would like to get the frames replaced too and then new skirting board in the hallway to match, to have a high quality finish all round. The wood on the frames at the moment is poor quality and not very well finished.

 

having googled a bit though and also having had the thoughts of a carpenter, I am a bit concerned about opening up a whole can of worms with things like damaged plaster if we were to replace the whole lot. 
 

Any thoughts?! Anyone done anything similar?

[Kinowe Soorie]

28 minutes ago, rachhere said:

We really need to get our downstairs internal doors replaced. One door keeps on falling off its hinges and another gets stuck whenever you close it. Not to mention they are really quite ugly doors that were here before we moved in! 
 

Ideally I would like to get the frames replaced too and then new skirting board in the hallway to match, to have a high quality finish all round. The wood on the frames at the moment is poor quality and not very well finished.

 

having googled a bit though and also having had the thoughts of a carpenter, I am a bit concerned about opening up a whole can of worms with things like damaged plaster if we were to replace the whole lot. 
 

Any thoughts?! Anyone done anything similar?

It can be done, you just have to take your time with it. If the plaster is completely blown, then slightly different story.

Edited 5 November 2023 by Kinowe Soorie

[rachhere]

18 minutes ago, Kinowe Soorie said:

It can be done, you just have to take your time with it. If the plaster is completely blown, then slightly different story.

Thanks. Sounds like it could be risky. Wondering if it might be better to stick to just replacing the doors and painting the frames then 

[Kinowe Soorie]

39 minutes ago, rachhere said:

Thanks. Sounds like it could be risky. Wondering if it might be better to stick to just replacing the doors and painting the frames then 

Depends on the condition and how plumb there are? If the frames are badly out, would be a better job to replace the frames imho. 

[rachhere]

1 minute ago, Kinowe Soorie said:

Depends on the condition and how plumb there are? If the frames are badly out, would be a better job to replace the frames imho. 

Thanks. I think best to get someone in to take a look then. Doors can make such a massive difference to the appearance of a space, so I want to do it well

[Tommy G]

12 hours ago, rachhere said:

Thanks. I think best to get someone in to take a look then. Doors can make such a massive difference to the appearance of a space, so I want to do it well

I doubt the frames are shot - we had a similar problem where we replaced a few but it wasn’t too big job if you get a decent carpenter. If you replace the surround rather than the actual frame this can make a massive different with new doors. We used oak veneer throughout, solid oak is too expensive and the veneer look the same if you go somewhere half decent. Finish it yourself with a cpl of coats of osmo oil and it will look great - get your door furniture from Broightons in Anstey, quality stuff. All in you are probs looking at £300 a door maybe. If you paint the frames and trim yourself you will save money and it’s really easy.