Just landed a bath remodel and need some advice on the floor. This house was built in 1878 and the customer wants to restore the bath back to the original décor. Jokingly I told him where in the backyard do you want the outhouse? Anyway, he wants a claw foot tub and he is very concerned about water spilling onto the floor (Possibly the kids not ensuring the curtain is inside the tub) and seeping down to the floor below. There is much plasterwork below and there was a leak in the past that damaged some plasterwork, but I traced that to a bad valve from a radiator. He just wants to be assured that any and all water that may spill over will not find its way to the next floor below.
This will be a complete rip. I normally rebuild the floor, and then install cement board for the tile base. Would a mud job be more appropriate? All opinions and thoughts will be greatly appreciated. I have a feeling I will be subbing this portion of the job out.
Regards, Gary
Replies
I do this work for a living, e.g., restoration and historically correct stuff. This could be a lot of fun.
I don't think you can make the place look like 1878, but I think a turn of the century bath is doable. Start with a firm subfloor, probably 3/4 or inch and an eigth T&G. Look at the joists and make sure that the area can hold up and not flex for tile.
Add a mud bed and do 1 inch white mosiacs. You can get historically correct ones at some suppliers, but most are knockoffss. Repost if you need that information.
Add a pull chain toilet, either antique ($1000 and up) or a repro ($500). Add a pedestal sink, too.
Tile the walls with subway tile and add vintage light fixtures.
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1927
What about putting down a membrain and a floor drain for added insurance? The drain could be located under the tub to hide it. Tie it into the tub drain so the p-trap is always wet. Just a thought.
One possible red flag:
Kiddies stuff a handful of plastic army men or what-not down the tub.
Then the pathof least resistance for the tub-ful of water is up & out the floor drain!
Not a good feature.
T
Do not try this at home!
I am a trained professional!
Well, then put an overflow drain on the wall!
I think Boris and Uncle Dunk got it right. Not a bad idea for an upstairs bath in any case.
Good advice from Boris but it doesn't answer the primary question.
You cannot stop 100% of overspilled water from leaking if the owner has a bunch of wild banshees for children.
Excellence is its own reward!
"The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are." --Marcus Aurelius
Boris, Thanks for your reply and all what you had recommended is in the plan.
Jet, My first thought was just what you said, apply a waterproof membrane and then add a drain under the tub. I know that is what they have in commercial showers, like the one we have down at the town pool. I just think that may be over kill, but of course it will certainly do the trick.
Any other comments and thoughts always appreciated, thanks again all.
Or you could skip the floor drain, put a curb in the doorway and a giant shower pan under the whole bathroom. With a 4" high curb, you could probably hold a couple hundred gallons before it started running down the hall.