fuctional bathroom remodel

[Deleted]

Our bathroom hasn't been updated since our house was built in the 50s. We desperately want to renovate it, however it is our ONLY bathroom so it would have to stay functional.

Has anyone done a bathroom remodel without completely gutting it/keeping it functional? Is it possible?

We would be DIYing most of it. My brother is a professional plumber so he would help us with the replacing on the tub/toliet/sink. However, the cabinetry and ripping out the floor to ceiling tile would be all H and I.

[pitterwoo]

at some point I think you're going to have to plan on some down time even if you plan carefully. Do you even have a toilet elsewhere? We have one in the basement for emergencies and I love knowing it's there jic.

[Susie]

We haven't run into that because we have 1.5 bath. When the full bath's out of commission, at least we have the half bath, and can shower at the Y.

My BIL & SIL had only 1 bath when they redid theirs. They just planned super carefully to minimize down time, and asked their next door neighbor in advance if they could run over to use their bathroom on that one day that it was down.

I don't think there's any avoiding there being SOME time when you're without a loo.

[wawa]

I'm trying to come up with a way of doing this that would let you keep the toilet useable...and I'm coming up empty.

The big issue is the tile. Even if you could do demo and tile laying all in one day (doubtful), you can't reinstall the toilet until after the thinset sets up. So you'd be toilet-free overnight there. And that doesn't account for grouting.

If you are doing something other than a traditional tile on the floor you might be able to make it work, but you'd still lose the toilet for most of the day - so I hope you don't have to go while you're working on the floor.

[thewop]

We asked our neighbors in advance to use their bathroom while we were working on it. Not ideal, but it worked out well because they happened to be out of town while we were remodeling and they just gave us a spare key (super awesome neighbors).

[FoxInFiji]

If you're tiling you're going to need at least a day without a toilet probably more than that to do it right. I would stay with a friend/family for a couple nights or talk to your neighbor or even rent a port-a-potty.

[pitterwoo]

+o( but yet practical. They sell them for emergency preparedness.

[pitterwoo]

also there are a variety of camp showers.

don't forget toilet bags to line your toilet bucket

[pitterwoo]

ok, I posted that as a joke, but really if I couldn't have a toilet for a couple days and didn't have other options I would probably want a bucket like that.

[pamela]

I would factor a 1-2 night stay in a hotel into your reno costs. And find a nearby restaurant or store where you can use the bathroom during the day while working.