There are many homes in pittsburgh built before the 1950's. Many of which, are in need of a bathroom remodel. Unfortunately, the methods used to set tile in those days, makes it very difficult to just do one portion of bathroom at a time. As a contractor, I always say "All" or "Nothing" in these old homes. Remove everything to the studs and joists, and start from scratch.
This is a before picture of a bathroom in squirrel hill. If you look closely you can see a large crack in floor tile from pedestal sink to toilet. This room also sloped very badly towards tub
This would be a typical tile tub surround seen in many 1950's homes. The thickness of wall tile is a standard 1/4", but the concrete "mud walls" buff the total amount to approximately 1". (Mud walls, was a reference to the old tile setters way of installing a sub-surface for the tile. Often starting with wire mesh and then skimming walls with a portland cement mix)
This is the wire mesh behind tile. Only way to remove tile is to painstakingly chip all the tile and mortar, piece by piece. In a typical 5ft x 8ft bathroom the disposal weigh-in at a landfill is around 2 ton!
This is the removal process of the floor. The tile setters back then would pour a mud base (portland mix) approx. 3-4" thick. If you look closely you will notice the joists are notched and wood planks are placed in between each joist. The notched joists require one to sister new joists to existing before installing a new subfloor. This is also a good time to level out floor.
At this stage, I also highly recommend to replace all horizontal plumbing. Most of the time, the old plumbing is in poor condition and changes to layout are needed anyways, especially when converting a tub to a walk-in shower,
The vertical caste iron waste stack that runs to basement can vary in condition from one house to another. Its never a bad idea to at least have the budget in mind of possibly having to replace to basement.
After replacing and adding new infrastructure to the bathroom, the fun and fulfilling process begins. This is a marble mosaic floor tile.
Shower floor with same marble floor. This is a 48" x 32" shower area with bench
Custom glass is installed to this custom shower
A great shower system made by Hansgrohe. Featuring a rain shower and handheld
I have always been a fan of Kohler! This is a kohler pedestal sink, faucet and mirror.
Couple of things preserved from old bathroom; Radiator with cover, Window and door trim.......And thats about it.
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