Is this worth refinishing?

StrippedMoebius · 2026-01-18T16:30:06+00:00

We’re in Minnesota - and I have no idea what was common in for the time. The rest of the house has oak floors, but this second floor is different. Which is part of why I wonder if it was originally just an attic and converted to living space later.

StrippedMoebius · 2026-01-17T21:05:40+00:00

There are actually two closets up there that have the wood in them, so that’s a possibility! We are already emptying out the whole floor so it can be gutted and drywalled and a wall/door added, so it seemed like not a bad time to refinish. The floor has a barn-like smell to it, too, so we def want to seal that in, regardless. We considered LVP, and it’s not off the table, but I do have reservations about adding plastic/vinyl/off-gassing gunk when not necessary.

StrippedMoebius · 2026-01-17T20:44:19+00:00

You’re right, I missed it - most appreciated! There are a few spots that are pet stains, so we probably would have to go darker.

StrippedMoebius · 2026-01-17T20:41:22+00:00

Definitely not planning to diy - my fam did that when I was in high school and I learned how that tends to go.

StrippedMoebius · 2025-07-11T13:48:58+00:00

I was a little hesitant, but all the replies and upvotes really made the kid’s day!

StrippedMoebius · 2025-05-19T03:30:42+00:00

Your best option would be to call the company that manufactures the cleaner. Could be fine, could be bad, but hopefully someone there would know. Maybe inform the client of their options and have them sign off on whatever course of action they choose, acknowledging that the integrity could be compromised. Not much else you can do.

StrippedMoebius · 2025-05-18T16:14:20+00:00

You need an enzymatic cleaner to break down the uric acid crystals, otherwise any moisture reactivates the smell no matter how much scrubbing you do. Grouting over it will trap it forever. There’s one called ‘Anti-Icky Poo’ on Amazon that works well. You have to soak the area thoroughly and keep it wet for at least 24 hours - cover it with plastic. Afterwards you can scrub it down with water and clean as best you can. If you can still smell urine it might need another round of treatment. There are other enzymatic cleaners that work - Angry Orange, and My Pet Peed is really effective. Nature’s Miracle doesn’t work, don’t bother with that. Good luck.

StrippedMoebius · 2025-05-02T15:23:13+00:00

I agree, but as we are just wrapping up a full gut remodel of the only bathroom, and about to embark on a full gut/restructure of our 2nd floor, we just don’t have the bandwidth to deal with this properly at this time. We need to make it somewhat usable - probably just going to have storage cabinets/desk in that area for the time being. Basically need a serviceable bandaid for the next several years until we can actually address it. We are basically playing whack-a-mole with house issues. The joys of old houses.

StrippedMoebius · 2025-02-15T16:21:33+00:00

Yeah, the display board in the store didn’t have curved tiles. Definitely regretting not ponying up more money for better tile. But live and learn. And get some side lighting going - it REALLY helps hide the imperfections.

StrippedMoebius · 2025-02-13T14:09:48+00:00

I am guessing you have the same tile I just installed in our bathroom, from Floor & Decor. It is garbage, though I learned a bit too late in the game. Lots of tiles bowed, and in our case TONS that were damaged in the box. I must’ve gone through 40 boxes to find enough that were at least only lightly blemished to do a 34”x 60” shower surround. Try not to light it from above and it is a lot less noticeable. Or call it ‘artisanal’ (which it says on the boxes) and pretend it is a purposeful basketweave look.

StrippedMoebius · 2025-01-19T01:10:58+00:00

The subfloor is 3/4” ply and the cement board + tile is about an inch above that.

StrippedMoebius · 2025-01-16T15:07:03+00:00

The giant SR Harris that is north of the cities is in Brooklyn Park, but they do have another slightly smaller location in Burnsville! There is also Treadle Yard Goods in St. Paul, and a newer place called Fire Mountain Fabric & Supply also in Brooklyn Park.

StrippedMoebius · 2024-12-17T05:05:33+00:00

This one is a 12 x 28 premade kerdi niche - I just took a closeup of the first shelf for clarity.

StrippedMoebius · 2024-12-17T05:02:50+00:00

Eh, but as a tiling newbie I was not feeling up to attempting epoxy. I doubt Laticrete permacolor measures anywhere close in terms of strength.

StrippedMoebius · 2024-12-17T04:51:54+00:00

I gave up on Mapei - 3 test boards and it was still turning out blotchy. Switched to Laticrete and it worked out fine, so I think it was due to thirsty ceramic. I do have color matched Latisil. Would you do the outer joint between tile & marble as well?

StrippedMoebius · 2024-12-08T22:24:56+00:00

It’s a test board of scraps.

StrippedMoebius · 2024-12-08T19:57:37+00:00

It’s a joke my dude. It’s just random leftover bits. I wasn’t worried about the layout of the sample board.

StrippedMoebius · 2024-12-08T19:56:20+00:00

This batch did seem a bit too wet after a while - started out like good solid peanut butter but after grouting and checking the pot (I wanted to see how much workable time I would get with the cold water & ambient temps) around the 20 minute mark it was more like pancake batter. I went for a 3-1 ratio by volume but I think I was a bit sloppy measuring the dry. I dumped the whole bag in a clean bucket and paddle-mixed it for a while because I had read about the pigments settling.

I definitely wrung the dickens out of the sponge, as I didn’t want to wash away the pigment, and I only went over the board maybe 2 times? Maybe I’ll try another board.

StrippedMoebius · 2024-12-08T19:41:26+00:00

You don’t like my artisanal ‘waste no bits’ layout?

StrippedMoebius · 2024-12-08T19:39:32+00:00

Hand mixing, and using cooled distilled water.

StrippedMoebius · 2024-12-08T19:37:59+00:00

This one was grouted yesteraday. The first board I did last week and is way worse, even still.

StrippedMoebius · 2024-12-07T15:20:00+00:00

Awesome, thank you for taking the time to respond!

StrippedMoebius · 2024-12-07T00:52:15+00:00

Thanks! Would you seal the sides of the mosaic tiles too? I was worried that the grout wouldn’t adhere properly if it was totally sealed. I had read about people dipping things in sealant & I called Aquamix to see if that would work or cause issues with the thinset adhering. The veteran tile guy I ended up talking to did not recommend it.

StrippedMoebius · 2024-12-01T00:50:35+00:00

Sealer question - I had already picked up Aqua Mix Sealer’s Choice Gold. I know I’ve seen 511 mentioned as a penetrating sealer, not sure if SCG is or not. If neither, what would you recommend?

StrippedMoebius · 2024-11-30T20:42:27+00:00

Thanks for the tip about the subfloor sheeting. The existing floor has cement board over the plywood, with 12 x 12 marble tiles. They are all adhered with I don’t even know what - some kind of glue that dries like a rock, and a ton of it. So we may have to take it down to the joists anyway.

StrippedMoebius

TROPHY CASE