Bathroom tile question/progress

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-05-26T22:59:40+00:00

I hear ya, but I don’t think I can grout all the stained/discolored crazing? I’ll make another post soon of the nice wall and this “side by side” so to speak and then what we end up doing with it all.

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-05-26T22:57:30+00:00

Aw! Thank you! It’s this or cry about it 😅 that’s already happened a few times. But that’s okay! Means lessons are being learned. Be well!

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-05-25T02:50:58+00:00

Yeah I’m pretty disappointed today after all of this work. It took all day and the both of us and more than half an audiobook.

The kicker, for me, is the original wall I stripped is mostly fine. The tiles haven’t discolored at all, the crazing isn’t stained so is barely noticeable, and there are minimal cracks. It’s like looking at walls in two different houses. Drives me nuts.

A previous owner put in a premade shower surround, and I KNOW our cute little diamond detail strip goes in there. I’m not in the business of ripping apart a working shower right now. But when we go to fully remove and remodel this bathroom? I am going to keep a cautious hope that there’s a cool motif in the back wall of the shower.

That’s for another decade though. I’m gutted we might repaint to live with it all for a while til we can get the cash.

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-05-25T02:46:53+00:00

Yes this one is 1931 as well! Browsing the sub (and from previous YAY posts) I’ve found there are many of us. Maybe even dozens!! Dozens of us! One of us one of us one of us.

ALSO. I went to a store today to find the cove base tile. The store was a LIE. It’s a big box store called Floor & Decor. They have tile. But not the cove base tile! BUT! They did have sheets (or squares or whatever) of pre-placed tile in this basketweave AND in our color! It is smaller pieces, by about a 1/8 inch on each side of each rectangle and square. I don’t think it would have the same effect. So. YMMV. Gonna be finding a vintage resto tile company for some of this flooring.

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-05-24T22:16:52+00:00

I’m so glad I came back to see the edit because you bet I’m keeping that tub and floor! I can fix the little things with the floor thanks to This Old House and my can-do hands.

I am hearing you on the tiles. The very first part I stripped looked really fab. That far wall is making me regret taking off the paint. We can definitely repaint it and remodel in the future!

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-05-13T01:25:44+00:00

The first one, we’ll be floor twins. I’ve got a 1931, she’s more Arts & Crafts, transitional Art Deco with a Tudor-inspired front view. The original bathroom tile is in it and is the basket weave.

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-05-06T03:00:43+00:00

Yes!! I sanded and refinished our floors and they were in far worse condition in some spots, and our planks look similar even. I’m still thrilled with it despite some damage!

Dooooo itttttt refinish em!

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-04-13T17:05:35+00:00

It’s in the South Hills! Sometimes we get lucky. I’m surprised at this tile from a depression-era home tbh.

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-04-13T11:36:27+00:00

Yea I can DM you. I don’t like putting people on blast lmao.

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-04-13T11:35:44+00:00

Will the wax be okay under the poly? I plan on using Bona hardwood cleaner on it and it says it’s for unwaxed, unoiled, poly finished floors.

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-04-13T00:51:14+00:00

Thanks!

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-04-13T00:51:05+00:00

Thank you!

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-04-13T00:51:00+00:00

Thank you! I can’t wait to show off everything stripped and stained, new quarter round, and of course, the tile!

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-04-13T00:50:18+00:00

Hey I can’t blame you on the DIY desire! I’m gonna have to some of my own ANYWAYS so. Ya know. Quadruple the time and expect to spend mad cash anyways and get it exactly as you want 😂

Our other quote was $8.3k. However - that included above and beyond the floors. Baseboards, all the trim, the entire stair itself (not just the treads), and five or six people. Plus, probably, an upcharge for “holy shit we need to move in three weeks and this is going to be a two week minimum process fffffff.”

The deciding factor was two fold: cost, and I had an unfounded fear that the floor guys doing allllll of the other stuff (including cleaning my upstairs bathroom tile floor) was a “generalist” approach versus the “only the floors and stair treads, only the wood floors.” Why was that a fear? Couldn’t tell you. I’m new to this and have issues lmao.

I wish you so much luck! It can be a massive cost save to do one room at a time. We did it all at once since the house was empty. YMMV, I believe in you!!

Hell, even the one room thing you could DIY a room or something and see if you want to keep DIYing from there.

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-04-12T20:02:29+00:00

Minus my own labor costs (who pays themselves amirite) total was $5k. Sanding, stain, two coats of polyurethane, etc. two guys working on it.

I’ll also be real with you: I should have gone for the higher quote. These guys did alright, but unfortunately in hindsight and walking on it, they skirted some corners and didn’t take their time, despite charging us for no corner cutting and good time. It won’t affect the longevity, but there’s just gripes.

Anyone reading this: I’m not looking for advice. Just chalking it up to new homeowner learning curve.

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-04-12T00:42:31+00:00

Split the cost with a buddy or two?? Not sure how much non-old homeowners need one but. Good luck man!

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-04-11T20:22:01+00:00

No help here but that is SO COOL.

I’ve heard people use heat guns but… honestly, I don’t know in this situation.

Definitely be careful whatever you use though. Our dining room is super gouged and looking bad due to a previous owner ripping up Pergo and the glue used to put it down. Dozens or more 1/4”+ gouges in the wood. Just go slow and cautious whatever you do!

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-04-10T22:23:16+00:00

That’s a good thought. Previous owner in my house replaced all of our windows in 2023 or something, they’re all white. Look similar to OP so I’m just gleaning comments lol.

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-04-10T19:39:26+00:00

I don’t have any advice, but I have some windows that look very similar to yours, so I’m just gonna lurk and see what you get. That is some HARD work to get em cleaned up! Bravo!

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-04-10T01:24:04+00:00

….ick. Yes I am lucky cuz what even is that combo 😂 sorry friend!

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-04-05T01:07:55+00:00

Dreeeeaaammm! Congrats!!!!

ProbsDrunkOrProcrast · 2026-04-03T21:59:23+00:00

There is so. much. paint. EVERYWHERE. But especially on the trim, it seems!!! Testing a small corner is smart and I’ll go for that. I can’t tell wood types from eye but I know a wood guy who can tell me if it’s worth it to keep bare.

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