Bathroom Blues...Literally

We have been on hiatus from our bathroom remodel lately due both to the holiday break and to our lack of materials.  That changed earlier this week when the Swanstone arrived.

Rick and I had gone on a short vacation to Orlando, not to visit Disney, but rather to pick up a saw blade for the Festool saw which was not available in Clearwater, and to do a little shopping at the outlet malls.

The result was a saw blade in the car, a few other purchases at the mall, and a much lighter wallet.  The spending never ends.

The big box holds the main wall pieces while the
smaller box contains the trim pieces.  An alcove
rests in yet a third box.

We were gone Monday and Tuesday.  When we arrived home, Rick called Lowe's to see when our Swanstone would be delivered.  We learned that the Swanstone tub surround had arrived at the local Lowe's on Monday.  We received no notice of delivery, but it was there.  I wonder how long they would have held it there if we had not checked for it.

A very nice man helped Rick load it into the back of the truck.  The main box is 5 x 5 feet and 150 pounds.  We were happy to see that the walls were surrounded by a wooden frame and packed between styrofoam padding.  The walls appear to be in good shape, so we should have a quality product to install.  Steve came over to help Rick unload it into the garage where it will rest until after we return from Wisconsin in the new year.

The added layer of cement board sucked in the
white primer paint.

Why the wait?  Well, when we really looked at the walls, we discovered that the bathtub was not installed squarely in the alcove.  The right-hand front corner protrudes more than the right-hand back corner, so to make the Swanstone fit properly on the tub, we had to add another 1/4 inch cement board to the back and right-hand wall.

The reflection in the mirror shows the two
"new" walls primed and waiting to dry.

New cement board mean new primer.  Rick put two coats on yesterday.  He then called the paint company to ask how long we must let the primer "cure" before we can glue up the Swanstone.  The bad news: 28 days. OK, there goes our plans to have the bathroom complete before the holidays.

We also installed a wooden "frame" onto which we will attach the trim pieces for the surround.  Today Rick painted those frames blue since the front edge will show at the front of the tub.  The primer and painting is complete.  I wish that the rest of the tub walls were also.

I really am beginning to hate that room.  We both just want it finished.  The new countertop and windowsill will be installed next Friday.  Then we just have to put in the walls, but it looks now that the walls will not be up until early 2017.  What choice do we have?  We just literally must sit and watch the paint dry.