Friday, March 28, 2008

The Tiling Fiasco

So, we decided to tear out our vinyl flooring and old breaking tile (most was from the 80's) and put in new tile for spring break. We thought it would take us about 4 days to do it. We started tearing out the old flooring Monday. We had to tear out a layer of underlayment under the vinyl flooring so it wouldn't be too tall, and build up a layer under the tile. The guy who added the underlayment used particle board, glued down, with staples almost every inch. 3 days later, after working all day long with at least two of us going at it, it still isn't all up. We literally had to use chisels to chip away the particle board as it splintered into layers. DH went back on service today and won't be able to tackle it again for 2 weeks. We think we have at least 4 more days work to finish up the job. I think we way underestimated what we can do! (It'll be 500 sq ft when we are done. Our first house was only 400 sq ft!) So, want to see the beautiful floor I get to live with till it is done?

The floor before: (We tore out that railing, too. It feels much more open without it!)


Notice the missing tile:



We put the kids to work. They were so great taking care of the baby, doing dishes and fixing meals and helping tear out floor and clean up.



This is what we have now. And, yes, this is under the high chair. Those baby spills are going to be so fun to clean up now!

13 comments:

  1. Boy, it looks like you have your work cut out for you. Looks like too much work for me, but knowing you and your DH it will look wonderful when it is done. Can't wait to see the pics.

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  2. I agree with Rachelle--you are definitely a brave woman! It's going to look great, and I can't wait to see pics!

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  3. wow, thats a lot of work! I hate particle board. Good luck getting it all finished! I'm sure it will be beautiful.

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  4. That does look like a lot of work! We are planning on redoing our kitchen, pantry and dining area with a wood flooring soon. We do have one advantage in that we know what is underneath, since we put it there in the first place. I always underestimate what a job will cost or how much work it will take to do it. With increasing age the time factor is multiplying too fast as well. Love y'all.

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  5. I can't wait to see the finish project. I know it will look great, you guys always do an awesome job. Good luck living with your unfinished floor for the next couple of weeks.

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  6. Man, I hate projects like that. I'm sure it will be beautiful when it is done!

    Happy birthday to Cyrus-what a cute little guy!

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  7. Yikes! I just cringed because in a year or so we are doing the same thing. It scares me. It will be beautiful when you are finished.

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  8. Oh hun! We need to have a flooring party at your house. Get one of those thick pieces of plastic to put under the high chair for a while.

    Good luck!

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  9. So you did get to start your tile! Too bad it's taking longer than you expected. Those jobs seem to always take more time than you think. I'd offer to help but my belly is way to big to even bend over to pick up crumbs off the floor! Good luck!

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  10. That looks like a tough job. So good to see the girls working!

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  11. This is a fairly major undertaking...can't wait to see the finished product!

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  12. Wow, that is quite the project. Good luck finishing it all.

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  13. I can't wait to see it when it is all done. I love that the girls are right in the middle helping out.

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