Best Grout Ever!

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Best Grout Ever!

Epoxy Grout is my favorite grout for showers 🔥

Most stain resistant kind of grout on the market💥

Laticrete Spectralock Pro Epoxy Grout is my favorite grout to date 😊

  • It's the most stain-resistant grout that I've ever used!

  • I have it all of my own personal bathrooms, and they all look like the day I installed them 👍

In this 5ft shower I ordered two 9lb units of Laticrete’s Epoxy Grout

Epoxy grout is a 3 part system

A & B (9lb)

Par C (color) 9lb

We are using Bright White for this project

They do make smaller units

A & B (2lb)

Part C (2lb)

I advise using smaller units in hot & dry environments

Part A of Laticrete's Epoxy Grout

Its important to squeeze out all Part A & B

Every little bit makes a difference in mixture

Part B component of Laticrete's Epoxy Grout

Mix thoroughly before adding Part C to mixture

This will help out tremendously for subway tiles & mosaics

Hold back on mixing up to 10% of Part C to create a more fluid mixture

Mixing Laticrete Epoxy Grout
Laticrete Epoxy Grout Fluid Consistency

Before applying grout be sure all tiles are clean & joints are clear of thinset

Use a damp sponge to wipe down tiles

This will help grout glide over tiles more easily

My favorite grout sponges are the Ardex T-7 sponges

Don't worry too much about excess grout on surface of tile

The primary goal is to completely fill grout joints

Ardex Epoxy Grout

I love Ardex Products....But their Epoxy is tough to use compared to Laticrete

Check out this section of the Basement Bathroom for full demonstration

I love Mapei FA & other high performance grouts like Laticrete Permacolor

But they should be sealed (even when they say they don't require it)

I've used a lot of Mapei FA over the years 👍

I think its great for darker colors where staining isn't a concern

Check out this section of the 3 day tile shower course for Demo of Mapei FA

Check out this section of the Kohler Bathroom Course for Demo of Laticrete Permacolor Grout

I do not recommend Pre-mix grouts from the box stores....

This simple grout from Custom has been aweful

I've seen many project failures with this stuff

Might be okay for a backsplash...but for a tile shower I do not recommend!

The only pre-mix that I feel comfortable recommending at the moment is Laticrete Spectralock1

I still would not use for very light colors or white

👉 Spectralock1 is the only ready to use premix that I recommend (non-white colors)

For tutorial on this check out these sections of courses:

Ultimate Tiled Shower Course

Converting Tub To Shower Course

Tub/Shower Replacement Course

As I mentioned, I’ve tested this grout over the years (or should I say my boys did 😄)

Epoxy grout is great for penny tiles!

This goes against TCNA guidelines, but I recommend grouting corners of niche verses caulking

They look better and I have not had an issue with cracking when using Epoxy grout

Grouting pencil tile trim

Immediately remove grout off drywall 👍

Laticrete Epoxy Grout Estimator

This project required a 9lb unit & 2lb unit to complete

Grouting a Shower Wall with Epoxy

2nd unit of Epoxy was mixed to do floor

Use cardboard to walk over fresh epoxy

Ideally it would be nice to do the entire floor first (night before) and then grout walls

This was 50 minutes after starting the grout application

Check to see if grout is moldable and doesn't pull out of joints when touching

Floor grout is still way too wet!

Grout pulling out of joint when touching

Will need another 25-30 minutes

Use a white scrubby to work off excess grout

You should be able to aggressively work off grout without pulling grout out of joints

If you find grout being removed, wait another 5-10 minutes and test again

Tool joints smooth with sponge

One huge difference between epoxy grouts and traditional or pre-mix grouts is the amount of water that can be used on clean up

Applying water generously will help grout clean up 👍

Wipe off excess what and buff tiles with a microfiber cloth

This will eliminate 90% of the grout haze from forming

fill in missing grout in tile
filling holes with grout tile
wiping off grout haze epoxy
cleaning epoxy grout laticrete spectralock pro
initial cleaning of epoxy grout
initial cleaning of laticrete epoxy grout
epoxy grout bench cleaning
tooling grout joints with sponge
cleaning epoxy haze with microfiber cloth
cleaning spectralock pro grout
cleaning laticrete epoxy grout
cleaning epoxy grout
microfiber clothe for grout haze
cleaning epoxy grout off a shower tile floor
grout clean up shower floor
cleaning grout bathroom floor
cleaning grout bathroom floor
blue tile with white grout

2 hours later

All grout joints are completely stiff & set

Windex with Vinegar will remove any stickiness & haze

If for any reason you have haze on tiles next day, use an epoxy haze remover to remove

Fila Epoxy Haze Remover

Laticrete Haze Remove

My other grout recommendations:

👉Mapei FA High Performance Grout:





👉 Spectralock Pro Epoxy is actually my favorite epoxy! Easy to use & super stain resistant

👉 Spectralock1 is the only ready to use premix that I recommend (non-white colors)





👉 Laticrete Permacolor Select would be my second choice for high performance grouts

  • For tutorial on this grout installation check out this YouTube video

👉 Prism is another high performance grout that I'll use in a pinch....

👉 Mapei CQ is a popular grout among many....but I find it to be too gritty

  • In my mind, anything super gritty will be hard to keep clean


Be sure to check out the detailed instruction in my latest online course - HYDROBLOK Curbless Shower Course

Currently available only in the DIY GEEK MEMBERSHIP

What's a DIY GEEK MEMBERSHIP?

Its a one-time payment for all of my courses 💥 And future ones 💥💥

You'll get access to all of my step-by-step courses that highlight all phases of  a Bathroom Renovation Process:

Demo - Framing - Electrical - Plumbing - Drywall - Waterproofing - Tile setting - Shower doors - Lighting & much more 👍

🔥GUIDES - CHECKLISTS - SUPPORT🔥

Lifetime access - no ads

👉Join today

I now offer Bathroom Remodeling Coaching 😊

So if you have questions about your own bathroom, I'm here to help 👍

Schedule a 30 minute FaceTime or Zoom meeting

If you are a DIY GEEK MEMBER, ask me for the 20% discount code 👍

Feel free ask any questions below, I’d be happy to help 😊

Thanks
Steve

#diy #homeimprovement #bathroomremodel #tile #waterpoofing #bathroomdesign #grout #bathroomremodelingteacher #diy #bathroomremodelingteacher #tipsandtricks #tutorial #howto

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How to BUILD and Tile a Shower Bench

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How to BUILD and Tile a Shower Bench

HOW TO BUILD A WATERPROOF SHOWER BENCH

Hydroblok Shower Bench

HYDROBLOK makes shower bench construction easy 😊

HYDROBLOK Bench Construction

A shower bench can be framed or built with foam panels

HYDROBLOK 1 1/2" building panels

There are 2 primary ways of constructing a bench

Frame & wrap with 1/2" wall boards

Construct out of 1 1/2" or 2" Building Panels

In this shower I plan to use HYDROBLOK 1 1/2" building panels

cutting shower bench material

Creating a bench out of foam is more costly, but does not expand or contract

This is longer lasting way to construct a shower bench IMO

Shower Bench Height

This is a custom shower 😃 BUILD what suits you 👊

Determining shower bench height

21" is a bit too high....

19 1/2" is much better 👍

Extend a tile shower bench past shower entrance

One important aspect to think about is how the shower bench will look with shower doors

I recommend extending bench at least 1 1/2" from curbless transition

This was there is plenty of room to set glass on and provide a good look

Curbed shower & knee wall

This is especially important with curbed showers

If you plan to install a solid sill top, you'll want the shower bench or knee wall to extend outside of shower to allow the curb to neatly meet

Building a HYDROBLOK Shower Bench

HYDROBLOK is easy to construct, simply use the Hydroblok sealant to adhere building panels in place 👍

shower bench with HYDROBLOK
Shower bench construction with HYDROBLOK
Shower Bench Supports

1 1/2" building panels need to be 12" on center

2" building panels can be up to 16" on center

Shower Bench HYDROBLOK
HYDROBLOK Shower Bench with Foam
Shower bench for a tile shower

Keep Plumb 👍

Easy to cut HYDROBLOK Wall Board

Find a HYDROBLOK Dealer

1/2" Wall Board for front of Bench

Dust free tile foam backer board
Shower bench construction with foam board

⚠This is important ⚠ Slide wall panel into shower pan joint and mark

HYDROBLOK Tile Backer Board Installation
HYDROBLOK Foam Board Installation
HYDROBLOK FOAM BOARDS
HYDROBLOK Foam Board into Shower pan
HYDROBLOK Sealant Application

Create a perimeter rabbit joint for bench top

This is the same method used to cut & resize the shower pan

Set fence for 1/2" wall board width

Cutting HYDROBLOK Shower Bench Top
Rabbit joint cut for HYDROBLOK shower bench top
HYDROBLOK Shower Bench Construction
HYDROBLOK Bench Waterproofing

Slight pitch towards shower 👍

Shower bench waterproofing with HYDROBLOK

Check all steps to the Curbless Shower BUILD in the HYDROBLOK Shower Course 👍

Available now in the DIY GEEK MEMBERSHIP

What's a DIY GEEK MEMBERSHIP?

Its a one-time payment for all of my courses 💥 And future ones 💥💥

You'll get access to all of my step-by-step courses that highlight all phases of  a Bathroom Renovation Process:

Demo - Framing - Electrical - Plumbing - Drywall - Waterproofing - Tile setting - Shower doors - Lighting & much more 👍

🔥GUIDES - CHECKLISTS - SUPPORT🔥

Lifetime access - no ads

👉Join today👉👉 https://bit.ly/3XMKn3F

HOW TO TILE A SHOWER BENCH

Template a shower bench for tile

For template material I rip down strips of 1/4" sureply & hot glue together 👍

Templating tile work for a shower bench
Trace tile template for shower bench
Cutting tile for a shower bench
Tile Shower Bench Template
Trace tile template for shower bench
Tile setting for tile shower bench
Tiling a shower bench
marking tile cuts for a tile shower bench
Setting pencil trim edging for a tile shower bench
Tiling a Shower bench top
Tile a shower bench top
Tile edging for a shower bench
Tile shower bench herringbone pattern
coping pencil trim for a tile shower bench
Tile edging pencil trim shower bench
Subway tile edging pencil trim white
Pencil trim problem being above shower bench tile

I was not happy about how this pencil trim sat above bench top tile...

cutting down pencil tile edging
Tile edging shower bench

Its not perfect but better. I would recommend trying to find a stardard bull nose edging or use a schluter edging profile. This will most likely cause water to set at edge of pencil trim 👎

Tile bench clean up of excess thinset

Most thinsets will set up firmly enough to clean off excess thinset 👍 This will save a lot of time and frustration later 😄

Be sure to check out the detailed instruction in my latest online course - HYDROBLOK Curbless Shower Course

Currently available only in the DIY GEEK MEMBERSHIP

What's a DIY GEEK MEMBERSHIP?

Its a one-time payment for all of my courses 💥 And future ones 💥💥

You'll get access to all of my step-by-step courses that highlight all phases of  a Bathroom Renovation Process:

Demo - Framing - Electrical - Plumbing - Drywall - Waterproofing - Tile setting - Shower doors - Lighting & much more 👍

🔥GUIDES - CHECKLISTS - SUPPORT🔥

Lifetime access - no ads

👉Join today

I now offer Bathroom Remodeling Coaching 😊

So if you have questions about your own bathroom, I'm here to help 👍

Schedule a 30 minute FaceTime or Zoom meeting

If you are a DIY GEEK MEMBER, ask me for the 20% discount code 👍

Feel free ask any questions below, I’d be happy to help 😊

Thanks
Steve

#diy #homeimprovement #bathroomremodel #tile #waterpoofing #bathroomdesign #bathroomremodelingteacher #diy #bathroomremodelingteacher #tipsandtricks #tutorial #howto

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Best Methods for Cutting Shower Floor Tile

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Best Methods for Cutting Shower Floor Tile

Tiling a Shower doesn't have to be complicated or overwhelming 😃

First step is to template the shower floor area & reference to your shower floor tile

This is Merola Affinity Tile Hudson 2-in Hex Denim Blue 11-in x 13-in Glossy Porcelain Honeycomb Stone

Trace template and ensure there are no tile slivers 👍

The HYDROBLOK tile shower drain makes tile setting easy. You can offset drain grate to fit your tile layout 😃

Avoid cutting mosaic tiles on a wet saw….Sometimes backing on tiles can soften and allow tiles to pop off when setting.

I recommend using a good grinder and tile blade 👍

Milwaukee Cordless Grinder

Levelin Tile Blade (use code: bathroomremodel for 10% off)

Polish any exposed edges of tile with a grinder

Levelin Polish Pad kit (use code: bathroomremodel for 10% off)

For perimeter cuts, I like to use a grinder with dust shroud 👍

Fein Dust Shroud

Fein Dust Extractor HEPA Vac

Fein Grinder

Cut the line to provide a perimeter movement joint

Layout tile in shower ensure everything fits well 👍

3/16” thick tile will meet up evenly with the HYDROBLOK Tiling Grate with Wings

For thicker tiles, remove the wings and adjust drain to tile height

Be sure to check out the detailed instruction in my latest online course - HYDROBLOK Curbless Shower Course

Currently available only in the DIY GEEK MEMBERSHIP

What's a DIY GEEK MEMBERSHIP?

Its a one-time payment for all of my courses 💥 And future ones 💥💥

You'll get access to all of my step-by-step courses that highlight all phases of  a Bathroom Renovation Process:

Demo - Framing - Electrical - Plumbing - Drywall - Waterproofing - Tile setting - Shower doors - Lighting & much more 👍

🔥GUIDES - CHECKLISTS - SUPPORT🔥

Lifetime access - no ads

👉Join today

I now offer Bathroom Remodeling Coaching 😊

So if you have questions about your own bathroom, I'm here to help 👍

Schedule a 30 minute FaceTime or Zoom meeting

If you are a DIY GEEK MEMBER, ask me for the 20% discount code 👍

Feel free ask any questions below, I’d be happy to help 😊

Thanks
Steve

#diy #homeimprovement #bathroomremodel #tile #waterpoofing #bathroomdesign #bathroomremodelingteacher #diy #bathroomremodelingteacher #tipsandtricks #tutorial #howto

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How to BUILD a Curbless Shower

WHY STEP OVER A CURB IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO? 😃

❤ I Love Curbless Showers ❤

HYDRO-BLOK makes Curbless Shower Construction easy 😊

Recessing subfloor for a curbless shower

Simply recess subflooring within in the shower pan area

3/4" subflooring for bathroom

Add 3/4" plywood sub-flooring on outside floor (or keep existing)

recessed plywood in shower for curdless entry

This provides a 3/4" recess within shower pan area

1" shower pan HYDROBLOK

HYDRO-BLOK low profile shower pans are only 1" thick 👍

Hydro-blok 1/4" board

1/4" HYDRO-BLOK Board

Floor leveler 🌟

thinset shower pan

Shower pans are easy to set & install 😊

setting a hydroblok shower pan

Easiest Drain Connection Ever 💥

HYDRO BLOK Drain Connection
hydro blok shower Drain install
hydroblok shower drain install

Apply sealant between uncoupling mat and shower pan to create a fully waterproof seal

HYDRO-BLOK Sealant

curbless shower waterproofing
Hydroblok curbless shower with bench

Be sure to check out the detailed instruction in my latest online course - HYDROBLOK Curbless Shower Course

Currently available only in the DIY GEEK MEMBERSHIP

What's a DIY GEEK MEMBERSHIP?

Its a one-time payment for all of my courses 💥 And future ones 💥💥

You'll get access to all of my step-by-step courses that highlight all phases of  a Bathroom Renovation Process:

Demo - Framing - Electrical - Plumbing - Drywall - Waterproofing - Tile setting - Shower doors - Lighting & much more 👍

🔥GUIDES - CHECKLISTS - SUPPORT🔥

Lifetime access - no ads

👉Join today

I now offer Bathroom Remodeling Coaching 😊

So if you have questions about your own bathroom, I'm here to help 👍

Schedule a 30 minute FaceTime or Zoom meeting

If you are a DIY GEEK MEMBER, ask me for the 20% discount code 👍

Feel free ask any questions below, I’d be happy to help 😊

Thanks
Steve

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Buying a New Home & Estimating a Bathroom Renovation

It's tough out there!! And quite frankly, it's overwhelming! 😳

Prices of homes are still just out of touch for most people. It's more important than ever now to pay close attention to the repairs that may be needed when buying a home.

My goal is to help you PLAN, LEARN & BUILD your dream bathroom. Being able to DIY and put the sweat equity into a home is in someways the only reasonable way to buy an affordable one 👊

This is a bad sign 😳

This kitchen is below the main bathroom on second floor

Chances are that this is pealing lead based paint. Most homes built before 1978 were primarily using oil lead based paint

Every good renovation starts with a good PLAN 👍

A great way to create bathroom layouts & designs is to use a program like Chief Architect Design Software

Check out the PDF of common bathroom design configurations

With a bathroom this large 7ft x 10ft, you have a lot of opportunity to design the features you want in a bathroom 😊

Check out this Youtube video on a Freestanding Soaking Tub

Plenty of space to install a double sink vanity 👍

I personally really like the existing layout. Plenty of room for storage

It’s hard to see all of the existing plumbing in an old bathroom, but you can typically see signs of bad and corroded plumbing. This sink trap was simply shoved into the wall drain 😄 No signs of a trap adapter. Looks like its all rusted away.

Galvanized drain lines were commonly used in older homes. You will definitely want to replace all galvanized piping during a bathroom renovation 👊

I highly recommend replacing all horizontal plumbing in a full bathroom renovation or at least account for it during the estimating process 👍 Check out the converting a tub to shower course for full details on running new plumbing

Existing drain lines can still last a long time 👍 Just be sure to fully inspect. If you have slow draining tub or shower drains, its often times from corroded & clogged piping at connection point to main stack and/or drum traps.

Drum traps are notoriously slow draining. Often times you can simply replace with a new P-trap and solve slow draining issues

99% of the time in an old 1940s home, the wiring is outdated. And especially in a bathroom!! Seeing a 2-prong outlet above a bathroom sink is not a great indication of the condition of wiring and method of installation. In a full bathroom renovation, I highly recommend replacing all the wiring. Run dedicated circuits to panel. Check out the Complete New Layout Bathroom Course for a full rewire installation of a bathroom.

Old electrical fuse box 😳

This will need to be updated in order to properly remodel the bathroom 👍

Ventilation is super important in a bathroom!

A bad vent fan can cause a lot of harm in a bathroom 😩

Mold & cracking/flaking paint being the most common!

Be sure to route the exhaust to exterior of home 👊

Check out this YouTube Video for best methods

Pay attention to the quick fix solutions by previous home owner…..

Having a super big caulk joint at tub to floor with a weird side splash adhered to tub, tells me that leaking has been a problem!

With old bathrooms like this…you have to expect water damage!

Waterproofing is often skipped or not existent in these older homes.

One feature that is helpful to ensure a water tight seal to tub is to allow wall alcove to extend out past the tub area. This allows tile to be set alongside the tub & prevents future water damage

Be aware that older homes can have some fairly difficult tile substrates to remove. Its difficult to determine how tile was set in many circumstances

One of the toughest bathroom remodel projects is tile set over mud bed walls & floors. Check out this Youtube video of demo process 😳

Replacing existing water supplies with PEX is cheap & well worth the effort 👍

It’s typically very easy to run new electrical and waterlines alongside waste stack

Not all plumbing needs replaced most of the time

Be sure to check the condition of existing caste iron or copper waste stacks. If there’s signs of cracking or excessive corroding, I would plan on replacing

Often times attaching new plumbing for bath to existing caste iron stack is sufficient 👍

This was a surprise to me 😃

New water line to meter! This is an awesome thing to see. No worries of having a bad water supply to home 👍

Create a spreadsheet of materials needed in remodel

Check out this bathroom material list for this bathroom renovation

Know what it costs to hire someone to do all of this work!

Check out this contractors estimate for a full bathroom renovation

Here’s a full estimate of repair of this home

This is why I say, “Everyone needs to DIY to have nice things” 😃

I hope this blog helps you determine the value of a home and gets you a better price

Thanks, Steve

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Tile Redi - The Easy Way to BUILD a Shower

Tile Redi Shower Pan

Converting a Tub to Shower has never been easier 😃

Tile Redi is one of the quickest & easiest ways to build a custom tile shower 🔥🔥

Shower drain comes completely sealed and waterproof 👍

Sealant application is my favorite kind of waterproofing. Fast, simple, & foolproof 😄

Tile Redi Shower Pan Support Ribs

These support ribs provide a great way to embed mortar under pan and fully support the shower pan

Using the Tile Redi Flashing Kit for side splashes is great extra insurance 🌟

Tile Redi Wall Board

Tile Redi Wall Boards are waterproof all the way through, easy to cut & very dense 💥

Mortar bed for Tile Redi shower pan

Simply set shower pan into a bed of mortar (it does take a considerable amount of mortar…. 3 bags for this 32” x 60” shower pan)

Gluing Drain connection for Tile Redi Shower pan
Tile Redi Shower Pan Drain Connection

Using a Vibrating tool to manuever pan into position helps tremedously 👍

Tile Redi Shower Drain Connection
Tile Redi Shower Pan Installation

Seriously the fastest install of any tile shower base pan 👊

Tile Redi Wall Boards have a rabbit joint on 5ft edge of board that provides a great way to seal adjoining boards together 💫

Tile Redi Wall Board Installation
Tile Redi Wall Board Installation

Easy to make custom shower niches with Tile Redi Wall Boards 👍

Tile Redi Sealant is a fast drying poly-sealant that stays elastic 🔥🔥 Simply apply over all screws & seams

Tile Redi Shower Flood Test

Flood test & ready to tile 😃

Enroll in my online course - The Tile Redi Shower Course and get 10% off all tile redi products with discount code 😊

If you are serious about remodeling a bathroom, I highly recommend enrolling in one of my courses 😊 I assure you it will save you time, money and most of all frustration 👊 My goal is to be here for support & help with your bathroom project. Don't get overwhelmed & frustrated. I know these spaces can be complicated....and that's why I've developed these courses. If you sign up for the DIY Geek Membership you will get all of my courses bundled together (and future ones) 🌟 One-time payment, that's it 👊


Thanks

Steve



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HOW TO INSTALL A BIDET TOILET SEAT

Hey Students!

I’m going to be 100% honest. I never understood the hype around the bidet toilet seat. I thought they were unnecessary and weird. Then, I got the Fluidmaster SoftSpa Bidet toilet seat. I installed it in my last bathroom remodel (very easy, btw) and I finally got to try out the bidet for the first time.

Now, I get the hype.

You use the toilet, and you can basically get fully cleaned up (almost like taking a shower!) without all the hassle. The bidet does ALL THE WORK FOR YOU. It spoils you. The seat is heated and the water is warm. It has a remote control, which makes it a breeze to operate. It is bathroom luxury at its finest. The best part is it is completely attainable for you to have one in your bathroom— without breaking the bank.

I’ve partnered up with Fluidmaster Soft Spa and they are offering my viewers 15% OFF their bidet toilet seat purchase with code REMODEL15 (be sure to use all caps).

Now, I’m sure you are wondering how to install it once you get it. No worries— I got you covered. I recently made a video showing you how to install the Soft Spa bidet toilet seat.

 

Installing the toilet seat in a new build bathroom with an elongated toilet seat

 

I’ve divided this instructional video in 2 parts. In the first half, I go over the installation of the toilet seat in a newly constructed bathroom on an elongated toilet bowl (the seat itself is elongated). I show you how to connect the seat to your water supply, and I test the features of the bidet.

 

Need to add a bidet toilet seat to an existing bathroom? Not a problem. I show you how to run a new electrical outlet.

 

In the second half of this video, I show you how to install a new electrical outlet to an existing bathroom, along with how to fish that wire to your new electrical box. I also install this bidet on a round front toilet, and surprisingly, it doesn’t look bad at all!

 

Very excited to have this in our primary bathroom. My wife LOVES it!

 

GET 15% OFF OF YOUR PURCHASE WITH CODE REMODEL15.

Helpful tools used in this video:
RIDGID angle stop wrench - https://amzn.to/4caljbv
Fein Oscillating Tool - https://amzn.to/4aNTDaI
Fish sticks - https://amzn.to/4aB5tWi

Disclaimer: This is an affiliate link. A small percentage of $$ goes to me if you use this link. I very much appreciate your support! My ENTIRE family (yes, even my 9 and 11 year old sons) love this bidet toilet seat. Let me know what you think if you end up getting it!

💥LEARN how to BUILD your dream bathroom 🎓 - COURSES + MEMBERSHIP https://www.bathroomremodelingteacher.com/learn

💥Visit my Amazon Store for all products and tools that I use & recommend https://www.amazon.com/shop/bathroomremodelingteacher_

💥BRT MERCH —> Check out the Official Bathroom Remodeling Teacher apparel line!

All the tools and products I use and recommend can be found on my Amazon Storefront (detailed in the description box of the video). You can find my Storefront, and all of my other social medias, by going to https://linktr.ee/bathroomremodelingteacher. Any and all purchases from my Amazon Storefront are greatly appreciated and help keep my channel going!

I hope this helps you with your own installation. Subscribe to my channel to make sure you don’t miss a new upload!

See you next class,

Steve

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Tile Shower Repair

Tile Shower Repair

I am sorry if you are reading this because you have a similar issue 😢 There’s nothing worse than a leaky, moldy shower…..

Unfortunately, I see this quite a bit in very expensive newer homes!

This home was only built 7 years ago

There are typically 2 major reasons for a shower that leaks or is not draining properly

The reason for the call at this home was cracking of grout joints & water not draining after a shower

The #1 cause for water not drain properly in a tile shower is not having any pre-slope under the rubber liner.

This was a big shower 5ft x 5ft. The rubber liner needs to be pitched to drain in order for water to escape this kind of shower system. This floor was completely level

The #2 reason for water not escaping a tile shower pan system is clogged weep holes

Believe it or not, this whole system is relying on a few small 1/4” holes around the clamping drain for water to escape the mud bed. This is the primary reason I prefer not to install a rubber liner shower pan system 👊

There are better ways to build a tile shower pan!

It starts with a better shower drain system 👍 This FLO FX drain system is a bonding flange drain system that is designed for waterproofing to be on top of the mud bed (directly below tile) and allow water to escape easily from all angles when water gets under tile

Set & support bonding flange with mortar & thinset

An easy way to pack a mud bed for a shower pan is to add a perimeter guide to screed to. Minimum 1/4” per foot

Definitely a lot easier with an odd shape shower like this

Now you can simply apply pressure to drain body and perimeter guide to create a sloping shower pan

Sloped mud bed for a tile shower 👍

The most important aspect about this method is adding waterproof on top of the sloping mud bed 👍 This is Schluter Kerdi Sheet Membrane . I used this because it’s the fastest method to get into tiling. You can immediately tile over this membrane after setting

An alternative is to use a liquid waterproofing system like Ardex 8+9 . In some ways this is a better more fool proof way to go. For more details on this method check out the Basement Bathroom Course

No matter what method is used, flood testing is important 👊

In this Tile Shower Repair Course, I highlight some of the most efficient ways to tile a shower 👍

One of my favorite trowels for setting smaller tiles. Superiorbuilt 1/4” x 14” trowel

The most complex task of a repair like this is fitting in the bottom row of tiles.

It can be very time consuming! If you are a contractor bidding on something like this, I highly recommend a full day just for fitting in the wall tiles 👍

In this Tile Shower Repair Course I’ll help guide you through the entire grouting installation process

Completion 🎉🎉 Like there was never an issue in the first place 😃

Enroll in the Tile Shower Repair Course 😊

One-time payment, that’s it 👊

Lifetime access

Guides & Material checklists

Contractor’s quote

Support, ask a question about your own project in any of the tutorials 👍

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HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST CAULKING GUN

Hey Students!

Did you know that:

ALL CAULKING GUNS ARE NOT CREATED EQUALLY?

I used to throw whatever cheap caulking gun I could find into my cart at Home Depot or Lowes. I always need caulking guns, and I was never really happy with those cheap ones. They often dripped and weren’t very reliable. Plus, if I was doing a lot of caulking, my hand would be cramping and aching at the end of the day. Those cruddy caulking guns really didn’t make my job easy at all.

Then I found NEWBORN CAULKING GUNS. Their guns have changed my caulking game. I spend less time caulking now, and I’m not nearly as messy as I used to be (which is saying A LOT!). They offer this amazing chart that can help you determine which caulking gun would be serve your needs.

 
 

I go over this chart in the video above. I may be a little overwhelming at first, and once you get past the sciencey part of it, you will see how each specific gun will make caulking easier and cleaner.

 
 

My two most-used and favorite caulking guns I have from Newborn are the Octogun and the 360-DT. I can confidently say that my caulking work has improved 100% by using these guns. I will never buy those cheap guns again.

GET 10% OFF OF YOUR PURCHASE WITH CODE BRT10.

Disclaimer: These are affiliate links, and every and any purchase is very much appreciated. Try a Newborn Gun and let me know what you think. Thanks for your support!

Visit our dedicated NEWBORN page in the BUILD section of the website.

💥LEARN how to BUILD your dream bathroom 🎓 - COURSES + MEMBERSHIP https://www.bathroomremodelingteacher.com/learn

💥Visit my Amazon Store for all products and tools that I use & recommend https://www.amazon.com/shop/bathroomremodelingteacher_

💥BRT MERCH —> Check out the Official Bathroom Remodeling Teacher apparel line!

All the tools and products I use and recommend can be found on my Amazon Storefront (detailed in the description box of the video). You can find my Storefront, and all of my other social medias, by going to https://linktr.ee/bathroomremodelingteacher. Any and all purchases from my Amazon Storefront are greatly appreciated and help keep my channel going!

I hope this helps you with your own installation. Subscribe to my channel to make sure you don’t miss a new upload!

See you next class,

Steve

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THE BEST WAY TO INSTALL VINYL FLOORING

Hey Students!

My wife and I went to Lowe’s to find some incredibly durable yet easy-to-install flooring for our extra living space above our garage. And luckily, we found the perfect stuff. It’s the SmartCore by Coretec vinyl floors in Claremont Oak (fyi: THIS IS NOT SPONSORED! We paid for the flooring ourselves). It’s not the cheapest (a little over $4/sqft), but it is definitely the toughest AND prettiest.

In this video, I go over each step to easily (and perfectly!) laying down this flooring.

To quickly break it down for you, I began by sanding my base floor, which was just cheap plywood. You have to make sure the floor is level. I also had to do some patchwork on some spots to make the floors smooth & even.

 
vinyl floor installation how to diy bathroom remodeling teacher smartcore lowes
 

Then I explained why I chose to start where I wanted to start and how to keep your planks nice and straight. {Hint: I usually start in a farthest corner). And once you get that down, the rest flows very easily & quickly.

 
vinyl floor installation how to diy where to start bathroom remodeling teacher smartcore lowes
 

In the video’s description, I share all the tools and products I used to help me achieve the best result.

 
tools and products to use to help you install vinyl flooring diy how to bathroom remodeling teacher smartcore lowes
 

I give an honest review of the flooring at the end, along with some helpful advice to get your moving along with your flooring project.

 
final look of smartcore vinyl flooring how to diy bathroom remodeling teacher lowes
 

This project only took me 1 day to do. I know I’m a professional, but I promise you this one really is incredibly easy. You will love the end result.

UPDATE: I’ve had these floors for about 4 months now, and I’ve put them through the ringer. Why? Because I just finished a full bathroom in the space nd I did not use very much protection on these floors. I’m so happy to report that there are ZERO scratches or dents (and I had a lot of power tools on the floors!). There are some stains (RedGard mainly) but we did manage to get most of them up. Those stains are my fault because like I said, I wasn’t diligent on protecting the floors. I give these floors an A+ and highly recommend them.

Be sure to watch the video for the entire step-by-step process of installing the SmartCore vinyl floors.

💥Visit my Amazon Store for all products and tools that I recommend and use on a regular basis 👍 https://www.amazon.com/shop/bathroomremodelingteacher_

💥MERCH —> Check out the Official Bathroom Remodeling Teacher apparel line!

💥LEARN how to BUILD your dream bathroom 🎓 -

All the tools and products I use and recommend can be found on my Amazon Storefront (detailed in the description box of the video). You can find my Storefront, and all of my other social medias, by going to https://linktr.ee/bathroomremodelingteacher. Any and all purchases from my Amazon Storefront are greatly appreciated and help keep my channel going!

I hope this helps you with your own installation. Subscribe to my channel to make sure you don’t miss a new upload!

See you next class,

Steve

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BARBIE BATHROOM: FINAL REVEAL!

Hey Students!

Many of you might be asking why we decided to go with this particular style of bathroom. We wanted to create a somewhat updated version of a bathroom you would find in the average home in America during the 1960s. Colors were used often at that time, and we really loved the muted tones of pink in these tiles. Although pink can be a controversial color choice for a bathroom, we are hoping to make you fall in a love with pink!

We have done a mix of old and new in this bathroom. A lot of homeowners have to do this in order to stay on budget or just be less wasteful. You will see quite a few older fixtures used in this Barbie Bathroom.

Let’s take it back to the beginning with the interior design board and tile selections that helped form this bathroom.

 
barbie bathroom pink merola tile pink mosaic rose hexagon bathroom remodeling teacher

The mood board for the Barbie Bathroom

 
 
 

Steve constructed this bathroom in his home office that sits above our garage. His course (the Home Office Bathroom Course) goes over how Steve built this extra living space above our detached garage. Steve built the entire structure on his own from the ground up. Since it was basically a new build, we had the freedom to do whatever we wanted. In order to give it a realistic and relatable approach, we decided to make the bathroom a standard size (5ft X 9ft). This bathroom size is very common in a lot of homes in the United States.

As described and outlined in his Home Office Bathroom Course, Steve first installed the electric/instant hot water tank/plumbing/drywall/vent fan/floor leveler/etc., creating the bathroom space. We had a vintage cast iron tub Steve refinished here and installed that first. After the tub was installed, it was time to waterproof. Steve used RedGard, and it was quite the experience.

 
barbie bathroom pink merola tile pink mosaic rose hexagon bathroom remodeling teacher

The last time ever using RedGard!

 

Once the bathroom was prepped with the waterproofing, it was smooth sailing from there. Steve makes tile work look easy. It took him about 3 days total to tile the floor and walls (and that doesn’t include the grouting).

 
barbie bathroom pink merola tile pink mosaic rose hexagon bathroom remodeling teacher
barbie bathroom pink merola tile pink mosaic rose hexagon bathroom remodeling teacher
 

The tile is very high quality and a breeze to cut. The pink tones are well-muted, so the bathroom isn’t a blaring or garish pink. It’s very soft and subtle. The floor tile is textured, giving it some grip for your feet to hold on to when stepping out of the tub. For those of you who are sensory sensitive, you will find the floor and walls to be incredibly soothing.

The wall and floor grout we decided to use is Mapei FA in Honey Butter. Honey Butter is off-white, and it blended seamlessly with the tiles.

The next big item to find and install was the bathroom sink. We knew we wanted something vintage, floating, and fairly beat up. We are fortunate to have an upcycling warehouse called Construction Junction in Pittsburgh. They sell so many vintage and modern items found in homes and buildings around the Pittsburgh area. We found our sink there for only $15!

 
barbie bathroom pink merola tile pink mosaic rose hexagon bathroom remodeling teacher construction junction pittsburgh

Looks can be deceiving… this place is a goldmine of home goods!

barbie bathroom pink merola tile pink mosaic rose hexagon bathroom remodeling teacher vintage sink

Our $15 vintage sink. Steve used the Ekopel 2K Recasting Kit to paint the sink white.

 

Installing an old sink like this one is usually a challenge. The bolts and screws and brackets don’t come with it, so you have to use some creative solutions to properly mount this sink on a wall. Steve managed to do it, though it took him a little longer than he would have liked.

Once the sink was in, the toilet followed. We got an American Standard Cadet toilet, which is one of Steve’s favorites to install. It comes pre-packaged with everything you need to install it.

 
barbie bathroom pink merola tile pink mosaic rose hexagon bathroom remodeling teacher
barbie bathroom pink merola tile pink mosaic rose hexagon bathroom remodeling teacher
 

The floating quartz shelves were Steve’s idea. The extra bath storage was needed, and it’s a great way to elevate your bathroom AND add storage capacity! We went to a local granite manufacturer in our area called Asian Granite. This is actually much easier to do than you might think. Steve made a dedicated video on measuring, templating, and installing these floating shelves that you can check out here.

When it came to adding those finishing pieces to the Barbie Bathroom, we wanted to keep it somewhat modern with a mix of vintage.

In terms of the foundation of this bathroom, the floor tile and its color are definitely an interior style throw-back. The wall tiles help bring this bathroom to the present time. The hexagon shape and matte finish are 2 key style features that are trending today. Mixing these two together is a great way to unite the classic with the contemporary.

 
barbie bathroom pink merola tile pink mosaic rose hexagon bathroom remodeling teacher
barbie bathroom pink merola tile pink mosaic rose hexagon bathroom remodeling teacher
barbie bathroom pink merola tile pink mosaic rose hexagon bathroom remodeling teacher
barbie bathroom pink merola tile pink mosaic rose hexagon bathroom remodeling teacher
barbie bathroom pink merola tile pink mosaic rose hexagon bathroom remodeling teacher
 

PRODUCTS FEATURED

💥Visit my Amazon Store for all products and tools that I recommend and use on a regular basis 👍 https://www.amazon.com/shop/bathroomremodelingteacher_

WE GOT MERCH! —> Check out the Official Bathroom Remodeling Teacher apparel line!

FOR HELP WTH YOUR OWN BATHROOM REMODELING PROJECT —> 🎓ENROLL IN MY COURSES 🎓 -

All the tools and products I use and recommend can be found on my Amazon Storefront (detailed in the description box of the video). You can find my Storefront, and all of my other social medias, by going to https://linktr.ee/bathroomremodelingteacher. Any and all purchases from my Amazon Storefront are greatly appreciated and help keep my channel going!

I hope this helps you with your own installation. Subscribe to my channel to make sure you don’t miss a new upload!

See you next class,

Steve

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Plastic VS Brass Plumbing Fixtures

Hey Students!

In my most recent video, I had a heck of a time with this plastic American Standard Tub Drain. If you cross thread it (which I did)…it's pretty much done and ruined.

 
brass vs plastic plumbing american standard bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to

Just SAY NO to this American Standard Tub Drain!

 

And what’s even more disheartening is that this is the SECOND time in the past month that American Standard has let me down.

The first time was with their tub surround I was installing for a client. It was flimsy and cheaply made plastic, and to make matters worse, it was one of the more expensive surrounds available!

 
brass vs plastic american standard tub surround bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to

Another American Standard product to avoid… their tub surround.

 

For my bathtub drain situation, I threw out the American Standard tub drain and got an Everbilt Brass Drain Assembly from Home Depot, which was way easier to install (AND LESS EXPENSIVE, TOO). It was also made of BRASS.

 
brass vs plastic everbilt drain tub bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to

Everbilt for the win with their brass drain assembly!

 

Which leads me to my point: When purchasing any and all items for your bathroom, you need to make sure it is made of high quality materials, and the item itself is well-made.

We can no longer trust the name brands we have long loved to consistently put out top quality products. My recent issues with American Standard has made me realize I can’t blindly trust them anymore. We must do our own homework, read consumer reviews, and most of all, really check out (touch, hold, feel) the items we purchase for our homes. You can easily spot a subpar product just by touching it.

Obviously, brass has been around for a long time, and it has been successfully used for many years in bathrooms. But, be aware that even not all brass isn’t created equally. Some brass is thin and low-grade, and you must avoid it if you want a long lasting, functional bathroom/plumbing.

I don’t dislike plastic. There are some plastic products that I think are awesome for bathrooms and plumbing, such as PEX piping.

Again, do your homework: research the product, and just feel it to ensure it is well-made. It will help you avoid current and future problems in your home.

This video will help you avoid the mistakes I made when I installed this drain assembly. I go over, from start-to-finish, fully installing this tub drain and the products I used to make sure it is a secure and long-lasting tub drain.

For all the details about the top products I use when remodeling bathrooms and how to install them, enroll in my DIY Geek Membership Course. The Geek Membership gives you access to all 9+ bathroom remodeling courses for only $249. One time payment, lifetime access!

💥Visit my Amazon Store for all products and tools that I recommend and use on a regular basis 👍 https://www.amazon.com/shop/bathroomremodelingteacher_

WE GOT MERCH! —> Check out the Official Bathroom Remodeling Teacher apparel line!

For help with your bathroom remodel 🎓Enroll in my courses today 🎓 -

All the tools and products I use and recommend can be found on my Amazon Storefront (detailed in the description box of the video). You can find my Storefront, and all of my other social medias, by going to https://linktr.ee/bathroomremodelingteacher. Any and all purchases from my Amazon Storefront are greatly appreciated and help keep my channel going!

I hope this helps you with your own installation. Subscribe to my channel to make sure you don’t miss a new upload!

See you next class,

Steve

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Choosing Good Mosaic Tile

Hey Students!

Most of us already know that NOT ALL TILES ARE CREATED EQUALLY. There is a difference between a well-made tile, and a poorly made tile. If you have installed poorly made tiles before, you know how frustrating and difficult it can be. Chipping, different sizes, and problems adhering to the thinset are just a few issues flawed mosaics can create.

Mosaics can be a tricky tile. They need to be well-made in order to be properly installed. Otherwise, you are fighting the installation.

So, how do you know when a mosaic tile is high-quality and durable?

One easy and immediate thing you can do is check out the tile’s distributor. If you have a highly reputable tile distributor, such as Merola Tile, then you can rest assure knowing that just about any mosaic you choose will be reliable and solid.

 
choosing mosaic tile merola bathroom remodeling teacher diy

Go with a tile distributor that only stocks the best of the best tile. It will make choosing your tile effortless.

 

We choose Academy Pink Mosaic Tile from Merola Tile for our newest bathroom project, and for lack of a better word, it is PERFECT. It checks all the boxes for a high-quality, gorgeous mosaic tile.

 
 
 
choosing good mosaic tile barbie bathroom remodeling teacher diy

Here is the Academy Pink installed.

 

Another thing you want to check is the mesh backing on the mosaic tile. Is it completely covered in glue? Can you see the actual tile through the mesh that is holding them all together? If there is too much glue and you can’t see the actual tile, then stay away from that mosaic! Too much glue and not seeing the tile means the tiles on the mosaic won’t have a chance at bonding with the thinset, and they WILL eventually pop off from wear and tear.

choosing mosaic tile bathroom remodeling teacher diy

In terms of installing a mosaic tile, there are some technical things you can do to make the process go smoothly. One technical aspect that makes installing mosaics easy is to have a level surface to install them on. This may sound like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how many people think they can “make it work” on a wonky surface. You will see every curve and flaw, guaranteed.

floor level choosing good mosaic tile bathroom remodeling teacher diy

A good thinset makes a world of difference, too. My favorite is the Ardex X5. It has a nice, fluffy consistency and a long pot life, which gives you plenty of time to work when installing.

Make sure you check out all the amazing mosaics Merola has to offer! You will definitely find something you love for your next project!

For all the details about choosing the best mosaic tile and how to install it, enroll in my DIY Geek Membership Course and go to the Home Office Bathroom Course. The Geek Membership gives you access to all 9+ bathroom remodeling courses for only $249. One time payment, lifetime access!

💥Visit my Amazon Store for all products and tools that I recommend and use on a regular basis 👍 https://www.amazon.com/shop/bathroomremodelingteacher_

WE GOT MERCH! —> Check out the Official Bathroom Remodeling Teacher apparel line!

For help with your bathroom remodel 🎓Enroll in my courses today 🎓 -

All the tools and products I use and recommend can be found on my Amazon Storefront (detailed in the description box of the video). You can find my Storefront, and all of my other social medias, by going to https://linktr.ee/bathroomremodelingteacher. Any and all purchases from my Amazon Storefront are greatly appreciated and help keep my channel going!

I hope this helps you with your own installation. Subscribe to my channel to make sure you don’t miss a new upload!

See you next class,

Steve

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THE BARBIE BATHROOM WITH MEROLA TILE

Hey Students!

Exciting news! We're partnering with Merola Tile for our upcoming project: The Barbie Bathroom.

For those of you who know how Bathroom Remodeling Teacher works, it is probably hard to believe a Barbie Bathroom would be the first pick in terms of the color choice. PINK is incredibly (for lack of a better word) girly. But, we feel it is time to push the design/style envelope, so here are some answers to the questions you might be asking yourself…

How did we connect with Merola Tile?

We met Ann Telfeian, Merola’s Chief Revenue Officer, at the Merola Tile booth during the Coverings 2023 event in Orlando, FL this past April. A big fan of Bathroom Remodeling Teacher’s Instagram account, Ann told us to keep Merola in mind if we ever wanted to work with them. This past spring/summer, we got in touch with them, and we decided it was a great match and we should do some projects together!

How did we come up with the Barbie Bathroom concept?

Of course the Barbie movie was an influential part of the decision. We knew it was going to be a big hit! But, we also wanted to do something with COLOR. Merola Tile is absolutely the best choice to go with if you want a tile that is bold, colorful, and inspirational.

 
 
 
 

When we decided to work with Merola Tile, we began to talk about the styles of tile they have available on their website, and the one that really intrigued us was the Academy Pink Mosaic Tile.

 
retro bathroom pink tile Barbie Bathroom Remodeling Teacher

Old skool inspo pic from https://clickamericana.com/

 
 

Old skool inspo pic from https://clickamericana.com/

 

It was so old school, and it really conjured up a lot of old bathroom memories! We thought it would be challenging and fun to bring it back to the present time, and put our own modern twist on the the tile design.

How are you going to design it?

Nikki created a design board to capture the overall feel of this bathroom. We wanted it to feel like you were stepping back in time, with all of the modern conveniences included. There will be splashes of blue here & there. We also wanted to keep the budget at a minimum, and we plan to re-do and re-use an old sink and bathtub in the room.

 

The design board for the Barbie Bathroom

 

Isn’t pink too niche?

For some, yes. We’re certain a lot of people (i.e. mostly men) aren’t going to appreciate this bathroom’s color. Pink has been pigeon-holed as a “GIRLZ ONLY” color, and we feel differently. The color pink is warm and comforting, as well as nurturing and hopeful. Every day we use our bathrooms, and whether we realize it or not, our bathrooms and the things that are in them affect our mood. We firmly believe this bathroom will make every person feel comfortable and happy. Who wouldn’t want a bathroom that makes you feel like that?

When is the bathroom project going to start/finish?

We have already begun! Steve has been working on his bathroom remodeling courses as he is constructing the Barbie bathroom. Because of this, the construction process has been slowed down. We plan to start tiling in October and finishing the entire bathroom by the end of the month. Make sure you follow Bathroom Remodeling Teacher on Instagram to catch all of the stories and posts on the Barbie Bathroom (plus some hilarious reels that we are putting together, too!).

Where can I view and buy products from Merola Tile?

Simply click here.

We can’t wait for you to see what we are going to do! We hope to encourage everyone to BUILD their own colorful, bold, and inspirational bathroom.

💥Visit my Amazon Store for all products and tools that I recommend and use on a regular basis 👍 https://www.amazon.com/shop/bathroomremodelingteacher_

WE GOT MERCH! —> Check out the Official Bathroom Remodeling Teacher apparel line!

For help with your bathroom remodel 🎓Enroll in my courses today 🎓 -

All the tools and products I use and recommend can be found on my Amazon Storefront (detailed in the description box of the video). You can find my Storefront, and all of my other social medias, by going to https://linktr.ee/bathroomremodelingteacher. Any and all purchases from my Amazon Storefront are greatly appreciated and help keep my channel going!

I hope this helps you with your own installation. Subscribe to my channel to make sure you don’t miss a new upload!

See you next class,

Steve

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CRITICAL AREAS TO WATERPROOF IN A TILE SHOWER

Hey Students!

Today we are going to focus on the absolute critical areas you need to focus on when waterproofing your bathroom.

As I see it, there are 5 critical areas that need to be waterproof before setting tile in a shower:

1. Along the side of the bathtub- This is one the most common problems I see when tearing out old bathrooms— deteriorated & moldy wall boards against a tub. I highly recommend you extend the waterproofing & tile out of the tub area a couple of inches. This will ensure a long lasting bathroom.

 
water damage bathtub shower bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to

An unfortunate common sight in a bathroom that is not waterproofed correctly— right alongside the tub.

waterproof side tub bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to

What it should look like when you waterproof it properly.

 

2. The tub flange- Whether you are using a foam board like Hydro-Blok, cement board, or other tile backer boards, it is extremely important to fully waterproof the tub to the backerboard area. The sealant application used in the Hydro-blok system is one of the easiest ways to go. The special sealant is designed to stay flexible, create a waterproof seal, & allow thinset to bond well to it.

 

Nasty mold and water damage along the tub flange.

waterproof tub flange bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to

Hydro-Blok board and joint sealant do the trick.

 

3. Corners & seams- This is somewhat obvious, but you want to make sure all intersections of tile backer boards are sealed. The sealant application method is the easiest, but you can also use a sheet membrane like Schluter, or a liquid waterproofing method.

 
corners seams water damage bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to

Ignoring corners and seams is a serious issue in the bathroom.

waterproof corners seams bathroom remodeling teacher how to diy

Using the Hydro-Blok board and joint sealant highly protects you against water damage.

 

4. Window- Windows don’t really belong in showers, but alas, they do! If you have one, this is a critical area to waterproof properly. Be sure to review the last video on this process.

 
window inside shower water damage bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to

Why were windows put in showers again???

 
 
waterproof window in shower bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to

Honestly, I went with Hydro-Blok to waterproof BECAUSE of this window. It made my job 1000X easier.

 

5. The tub spout- This is also a major area that I see water issues in older bathrooms. Most tub spouts do not have any type of sealing ability to the tile. Water can get behind the spout & into wall cavity if not sealed. A simple pipe seal will ensure a long lasting shower.

 
tub spout water damage bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to

Don’t let this happen to you.

tub spout waterproof bathroom remodeling teacher how to diy
tub spout waterproof bathroom remodeling teacher how to diy

This will prevent the above damage from happening.

 

Other areas that can be considered overkill, but not a bad idea to waterproof are:

- Shower valve (ensures water from not getting into wall; not all escutcheon plates have good seals)
- Shower head arm (pipe seal)
- Outside floor to tub (I typically use Schluter Ditra or other waterproof membrane; this ensures water damage on a wood floor)

Here's the material list for what I used in this shower:

-5 sheets of Hydro-Blok board
-100 count screws & washers
-5 sausage tubes of sealant
-Valve seal
-2 pipe seals
Find a local distributor of Hydro-Blok

Be sure to watch the video for the entire explanation of the most critical areas to waterproof in your bathroom. Also, the Tub/Shower Replacement Course is available for you for only one payment of $49. That gives you lifetime access to the course, and first hand access to me.

Check out HYDRO-BLOK’s website and view all of their amazing products. I highly recommend using their waterproof foam boards and the sealant. They are simply the best.

HOT TIP: Check with your local vendors to see if they carry HYDRO-BLOK. I live in Pittsburgh, PA and you can get it from Daltile in Cranberry (you just gotta call and place the order with them).

💥Visit my Amazon Store for all products and tools that I recommend and use on a regular basis 👍 https://www.amazon.com/shop/bathroomremodelingteacher_

WE GOT MERCH! —> Check out the Official Bathroom Remodeling Teacher apparel line!

For help with your bathroom remodel 🎓Enroll in my courses today 🎓 -

All the tools and products I use and recommend can be found on my Amazon Storefront (detailed in the description box of the video). You can find my Storefront, and all of my other social medias, by going to https://linktr.ee/bathroomremodelingteacher. Any and all purchases from my Amazon Storefront are greatly appreciated and help keep my channel going!

I hope this helps you with your own installation. Subscribe to my channel to make sure you don’t miss a new upload!

See you next class,

Steve

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HOW TO WATERPROOF A WINDOW IN A TILE SHOWER

Hey Students!

Why windows were ever put inside a shower…I’ll never understand!

I mean, I do get it from a “natural source of light” and “somewhere to put my shampoo” point of view. But other than that, they just exist to make things difficult to clean and remodel!

CASE IN POINT:

My client’s home was built in the 1950’s, and it was a common period time to build a window inside the shower. This is a very familiar scenario for many homeowners in America. There are tons of older homes out there that have windows inside the shower, and they probably look something like this…

 
window in shower example bathroom remodeling teacher how to diy
 
 
window in shower example bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to
 
 
window in shower bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to waterproof
 

My job was to remove the existing tile in the bathtub area for my client, then waterproof and retile it. That window was an obstacle for me. It’s a huge obstacle for a lot of remodelers and DIYers alike.

You might be thinking, “Well, if a window is a huge problem, just get rid of it by boarding it up and tiling over it.” Most of the time, this just isn’t the best way to go. Why? Well, this particular home had a brick exterior, and you can’t easily patch over a window with brick involved without it looking unsightly. Matching siding, whatever it may be, typically doesn’t look very nice. Plus, it’s another major expense for the homeowner, and another laborious task to add to the already long list of tasks.

So, now you’re keeping the window inside your shower. But then another MAJOR CONCERN pops up— waterproofing. You want to have a solid, waterproof shower. I’m here to tell you that IT IS POSSIBLE to have a window inside your shower, and have it look nice and clean, and best of all, WATERPROOFED!

This video shows you how I do that with one of my FAVORITE waterproofing methods— HYDRO-BLOK.

Before going into those steps, I want to take a step back and emphasize the importance of replacing the window inside your shower first. You can watch how I did that HERE. This makes waterproofing and tiling much more effective and easy.

Getting back to the waterproofing… I break down exactly how I used the HYDRO-BLOK foam board and joint sealant to get that perfect waterproofed window in this video and in my newest course, the Tub/Shower Replacement Course.

Here is a pictorial breakdown of the essential steps to waterproof a window in your shower using Hydroblok:

 
window in shower waterproofing hydroblok bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to tub shower replacement course
 
 
window in shower waterproofing hydroblok bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to tub shower replacement course
 
 
window in shower waterproofing hydroblok bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to tub shower replacement course
 
 
window in shower waterproofing hydroblok bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to tub shower replacement course
 
 
window in shower waterproofing hydroblok bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to tub shower replacement course
 
 
window in shower waterproofing hydroblok bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to tub shower replacement course
 
 
window in shower waterproofing hydroblok bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to tub shower replacement course
window in shower waterproofing hydroblok bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to tub shower replacement course
window in shower waterproofing hydroblok bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to tub shower replacement course
window in shower waterproofing hydroblok bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to tub shower replacement course
window in shower waterproofing hydroblok bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to tub shower replacement course
window in shower waterproofing hydroblok bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to tub shower replacement course
window in shower waterproofing hydroblok bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to tub shower replacement course
window in shower waterproofing hydroblok bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to tub shower replacement course
 

Be sure to watch the video in its entirety to catch all of my well-practiced tips and tricks to help you along your own bathroom remodeling journey. Also, the Tub/Shower Replacement Course is available for you for only one payment of $49. That gives you lifetime access to the course, and first hand access to me.

Check out HYDRO-BLOK’s website and view all of their amazing products. I highly recommend using their waterproof foam boards and the sealant. They are simply the best.

HOT TIP: Check with your local vendors to see if they carry HYDRO-BLOK. I live in Pittsburgh, PA and you can get it from Daltile in Cranberry (you just gotta call and place the order with them).

💥Visit my Amazon Store for all products and tools that I recommend and use on a regular basis 👍 https://www.amazon.com/shop/bathroomremodelingteacher_

WE GOT MERCH! —> Check out the Official Bathroom Remodeling Teacher apparel line!

For help with your bathroom remodel 🎓Enroll in my courses today 🎓 -

All the tools and products I use and recommend can be found on my Amazon Storefront (detailed in the description box of the video). You can find my Storefront, and all of my other social medias, by going to https://linktr.ee/bathroomremodelingteacher. Any and all purchases from my Amazon Storefront are greatly appreciated and help keep my channel going!

I hope this helps you with your own installation. Subscribe to my channel to make sure you don’t miss a new upload!

See you next class,

Steve

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MY PREFERRED METHOD OF WATERPROOFING A TUB SURROUND

Hey Students!

There are many ways to go about waterproofing a tub/shower surround for a tile installation. With all the different companies and brands out there in the market, it can be an overwhelming decision to make when it comes to your own bathroom project.

I’m going to share MY PREFERRED METHOD of waterproofing a tub surround. Now, I’m taking overall cost, ease of installment, time spent, and clean up into consideration.

With this particular tub surround I was finishing (it had a window in it!), I decided to go with a waterproof backerboard. My favorite brand is HYDRO-BLOK.

Let’s get into the reasons why I love this brand.

 
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One huge reason I love HYDRO-BLOK backerboards is because they are SO EASY TO CUT. You can use a simple utility knife to get the job done. I use my chalk line to create the the straight edge I need and cut it down with my utility knife. Easy peasy.

 
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If you have ever cut cement board, you know how dusty things can get. The BEST PART about HYDRO-BLOK’s waterproof foam board is that there is ZERO DUST when it is cut.

 
method waterproofing tub surround bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to
 

If you are anything like me and you need to make some slight adjustments to get the foam board to fit, you can easily scribe cut HYDRO-BLOK’s foam board and make it work in any wonky situation.

 
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Raise your hand if you hate lugging heavy waterproofing products and sweating profusely while doing it! HYDRO-BLOK’s foam board is super light weight. No sweating necessary.

 
method waterproofing tub surround bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to
 

The main reason I prefer a foam backer board system like this is the sealant application. There is nothing faster or easier, in my opinion, than the HYDRO-BLOK JOINT SEALANT. There is very little build-up of the sealant, too.

 
method waterproofing tub surround bathroom remodeling teacher diy how to
 

Make sure you check out HYDRO-BLOK’s website and view all of their amazing products. I highly recommend using their waterproof foam boards and the sealant. They are simply the best.

HOT TIP: Check with your local vendors to see if they carry HYDRO-BLOK. I live in Pittsburgh, PA and you can get it from Daltile in Cranberry (you just gotta call and place the order with them).

💥Visit my Amazon Store for all products and tools that I recommend and use on a regular basis 👍 https://www.amazon.com/shop/bathroomremodelingteacher_

WE GOT MERCH! —> Check out the Official Bathroom Remodeling Teacher apparel line!

For help with your bathroom remodel 🎓Enroll in my courses today 🎓 -

All the tools and products I use and recommend can be found on my Amazon Storefront (detailed in the description box of the video). You can find my Storefront, and all of my other social medias, by going to https://linktr.ee/bathroomremodelingteacher. Any and all purchases from my Amazon Storefront are greatly appreciated and help keep my channel going!

I hope this helps you with your own installation. Subscribe to my channel to make sure you don’t miss a new upload!

See you next class,

Steve

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THE BEST TOOLS FOR GROUTING

Hey Students!

I’m going to piggyback on yesterday’s BEST GROUT POST and talk about the BEST TOOLS TO USE FOR GROUTING.

Let’s cut right to it! Below I’ve listed the tools I always use when I grout to make the job go as smoothly and as quickly as possibly {affiliate links listed next to product}. And get excited because these tools are SUPER SIMPLE.

1. Troxell Grout float -https://amzn.to/3rtHczt

I’ve purchased this float twice over the years, and there is a good reason for it. The size, shape, and grip are superb. It’s incredibly durable, which is a must for me because I really abuse my tools.

 
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2. Ardex Sponges - https://amzn.to/3DaJFBu

A no-brainer if you ask me. I ALWAYS have an Ardex sponge with me when I’m grouting. There is nothing better out there. It holds the right amount of water; the sharp edges get in between grout joints easily; insanely long-lasting… zero downside to this sponge.

 
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3. White Scrubby Pads - https://amzn.to/3PMvCK5

After a messy grouting session, you need to scrub off the excess grout on those tiles. That’s where these scrubby pads come in to play. These pads are nice and big, and they are perfect for this task!

 
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4. Microfiber Clothes - https://amzn.to/44iLhFu

These cloths have saved me many times from the dreaded GrOuT hAzE. I’ve tried other cloths, but the microfiber ones are the absolute best in removing any haze.

 
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5. Windex with vinegar - https://amzn.to/3PUHhXc

This Windex, paired with a microfiber cloth, is your best fight again a nasty grout haze on your tiles. There is some sort of chemical component in Windex that is able to break down the haze. BE SURE to get the Windex with Vinegar— the original blue WILL stain white tiles and light grout.

 
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6. Rubber gloves - https://amzn.to/3XTSYzp

These gloves last the longest on me when I’m grouting. They aren’t perfect— I do manage to tear them up. But, that is because I grout like a wild boar feasting on a dead carcass in the deep forest.

 
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So, there you have it. My quick 3 minute video goes over all of the grout tools and why they are awesome. Be sure to check it out and give it a like and a comment! Thanks again for all of your support!

💥Visit my Amazon Store for all products and tools that I recommend and use on a regular basis 👍 https://www.amazon.com/shop/bathroomremodelingteacher_

WE GOT MERCH! —> Check out the Official Bathroom Remodeling Teacher apparel line!

For help with your bathroom remodel 🎓Enroll in my courses today 🎓 -

All the tools and products I use and recommend can be found on my Amazon Storefront (detailed in the description box of the video). You can find my Storefront, and all of my other social medias, by going to https://linktr.ee/bathroomremodelingteacher. Any and all purchases from my Amazon Storefront are greatly appreciated and help keep my channel going!

I hope this helps you with your own installation. Subscribe to my channel to make sure you don’t miss a new upload!

See you next class,

Steve

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THE BEST GROUTS FOR YOUR BATHROOM

Hey Students!

The #1 question I get from people who watch my videos is WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GROUT TO USE?

I’m going to keep it simple and tell you my favorite grouts, listed from the absolute best to the very good. {Affiliate links provided with each product I list.}

1. Spectralock Pro Epoxy Grout - https://amzn.to/44hncil

 
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2. Ardex WA Epoxy Grout - https://amzn.to/46FGjUM

 
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3. Spectralock1 Premix grout - https://amzn.to/44lCq5Y

 
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4. Mapei FA High Performance - https://amzn.to/3JQvuFG

 
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5. Laticrete Permacolor High Performance - https://amzn.to/43nMs50

 
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6. Prism High Performance - https://amzn.to/46B9FUl

 
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7. Mapei CQ premix - https://amzn.to/3XOpwL5

 
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There are specific reasons why there are 7 grouts on this list.

I use all of these grouts interchangeably, and the reason I switch it up is because each individual bathroom has its own unique grouting needs. I look at every bathroom’s tile, the tile texture, the location of the bathroom, the use of the bathroom, etc. For ALL of these details, and what I use each grout for, check out my video.

In less than 6 minutes, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of my favorite grouts! {I didn’t mean to rhyme, but it’s kinda awesome that I did.}

💥Visit my Amazon Store for all products and tools that I recommend and use on a regular basis 👍 https://www.amazon.com/shop/bathroomremodelingteacher_

WE GOT MERCH! —> Check out the Official Bathroom Remodeling Teacher apparel line!

For help with your bathroom remodel 🎓Enroll in my courses today 🎓 -

All the tools and products I use and recommend can be found on my Amazon Storefront (detailed in the description box of the video). You can find my Storefront, and all of my other social medias, by going to https://linktr.ee/bathroomremodelingteacher. Any and all purchases from my Amazon Storefront are greatly appreciated and help keep my channel going!

I hope this helps you with your own installation. Subscribe to my channel to make sure you don’t miss a new upload!

See you next class,

Steve

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EASY PUSH BUTTON SHOWER

Hey students!

Last year, I worked for a client who was getting older and having a tough time getting over the tub and into his shower. I managed to convert his tub into a walk-in shower in just 3 DAYS (check out my 3 Day Shower Course here!). Along with the walk-in shower, we wanted to keep his shower faucet system super simple and efficient. That’s where the Grohe Push Button Shower Faucet came in!

I was so impressed with this faucet. Installing it and setting it up for my client was very easy, and I was really happy to make his showering as effortless as a push of a button. He was recovering from a stroke at the time, and it was incredibly important to make showering a simple process for him to complete on his own.

In this video, I show you how I installed this Grohe Push Button Shower Faucet. {FYI: This faucet has a normal shower head and a hand-held}

 
easy push button shower grohe installation DIY how to bathroom remodeling teacher handheld
 

I show you exactly what I did throughout the entire installation process, from the framing and rough-in…

 
easy push button shower grohe installation DIY how to bathroom remodeling teacher handheld
 

…to the valve placement and plumbing installation…

 
easy push button shower grohe installation DIY how to bathroom remodeling teacher handheld
 

…and to the temperature setting and testing the water.

 
easy push button shower grohe installation DIY how to bathroom remodeling teacher handheld
 

I walk you through the installation, step-by-step, so you can simply do it on your own.

 
push button shower easy installment grohe bathroom remodeling how to diy
 

Check out all the installation details by watching this video. It really does make showering, especially for the elderly, so much easier.

👉 Tools used in this video:

The Grohe Smart Control Shower System -https://www.build.com/grohe-gss-grohtherm-cir-05-a/s1516963?uid=3559106

💥Visit my Amazon Store for all products and tools that I recommend and use on a regular basis 👍 https://www.amazon.com/shop/bathroomremodelingteacher_

WE GOT MERCH! —> Check out the Official Bathroom Remodeling Teacher apparel line!

For help with your bathroom remodel 🎓Enroll in my courses today 🎓 -

All the tools and products I use and recommend can be found on my Amazon Storefront (detailed in the description box of the video). You can find my Storefront, and all of my other social medias, by going to https://linktr.ee/bathroomremodelingteacher. Any and all purchases from my Amazon Storefront are greatly appreciated and help keep my channel going!

I hope this helps you with your own installation. Subscribe to my channel to make sure you don’t miss a new upload!

See you next class,

Steve

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