Day 26: Bathroom Remodel

We have walls!

Rick got up this morning, took a couple of hours to get his weekly allergy shot, and then ignored that he was supposed to take it easy for a couple of hours by immediately changing into his work clothes.

Last night I suggested that since we have to "stack" the backer board on the back wall, that we put the smaller, cut piece on the bottom.  That way, we would have a ledge on which to place the top, full, heavier board.

This morning, Rick added support structure between the studs so we would have a good surface on which to screw in the top of the lower backer board. That helped when we got around to building the back wall.

The south wall and the lower back wall are in place.

Rick had to trim a few inches off the south backer board wall.  We carried it in using drywall carriers, and we discovered that the sheets were not terribly heavy or difficult to handle.  Yes, Rick was sweating by the time he got screws in every 6 inches, but the board itself was fairly easy to place and install.

The back wall went up next, and again we had no trouble.  The stacking game worked well.

The wall keeps going up!

Finally, Rick cut the drywall that will top the 60 inch Swanstone wall.  Yes, that will take taping and mud once again, but that job can wait until tomorrow.

Regular drywall tops the cement backer board since the
Swanstone will only be 60 inches tall.

This afternoon, we tried to order out the Swanstone.  Our big mistake: we tried to use Home Depot.  They still have not given us a refund for the cancelled tub even though Rick has spent countless hours trying to get our money back.  We have disputed the charge with the credit card company, sending them all of the paperwork that proves we cancelled the order.  When Rick talked to Home Depot last night, a woman told him that for our "inconvenience" we would get 10% off our next order. She said that after we order online, just call the Online Order number and whomever answers will apply the discount.

OK.  Sounds good.  The Swanstone walls, trim, and alcove cost a sizable chunk of change.  We ordered online (as instructed), and then Rick called to get the 10% savings.  The woman who answered said that she could not deduct 10% after the order was placed.  She said that she could cancel the order and then replace it, applying the 10% discount at that time. Yeah, right.  This is how we got into the problem in the first place!  Rick told her that he would take their 10% and "shove it where the moon don't shine." Then he went back online and cancelled the order himself.  Bottom line: do not order anything online for in-store pick-up from Home Depot.  Once they get your money, they take forever to refund it if you refuse or cancel the order.

We did a little shopping this afternoon, getting some plumbing supplies that we will need to put in the shower valve tomorrow.  We are going to wait to make sure that our last online order for Swanstone from Home Depot is indeed cancelled.  Then we will buy the Swanstone through Lowe's.