I’m sitting here with my trusty cup of tea and wishing it was something stronger, because it feels like this bathroom is going to be the death of me.

Let’s be honest: as far as renovations go, this bathroom really hasn’t been that bad. Sure, the tiles were falling off the walls. Yes, the mold was so advanced that the insulation was more mold than, well, anything else. No, repairing this bathroom wasn’t in the budget (at least not the immediate budget). But we’ve seen and fixed much worse in our last couple of years of renovations. This one should be no problem! Only, it has been a problem. One big ol’ gooey problem that has been a major time and money suck.

Let’s start at the beginning. I had taken some nice, clear before photos on my actual camera, but they’ve been lost in my state of paint fume fueled delirium. So, here are some lovely before photos thanks to my trusty iPhone 8 camera. Oh, and one clear photo from the original listing.

Taking out the flooring and backer board underneath took two days, but that proved to be the easy part. The shower wall tiles had been glued to drywall, and because the grout had failed, moisture had been soaking into the drywall for the last 30 years. This meant that removing just the tiles alone was nearly impossible, so in some sections the drywall and tiles all came out as one, and in others the walls were so soft that I had to smash the tiles into bits just to get them off the wall. Then I had to yank the rest of the mushy drywall off the studs and it was crumbling in my hands.

Hauling the tub out was an ordeal. It was a solid steel tub, so it was incredibly heavy. We ended up hoisting it on its side to get it through the doorway and pushing it on blankets across the floor. Afterwards I had a good emotional cry on the bedroom floor.

Then, of course, Sadie and I had to have a photoshoot with the old tub.

And Grayson wanted to celebrate the new tub.

Grayson then took over by removing all the old insulation and replacing it with new insulation and our plumber came and set the tub and installed new supply lines and valves.

Next, up went the backer board and in went the niche, along with some screws and mortar to hold it all in place.

After Grayson hung the new drywall, those seams got mortared as well, and then he applied a waterproofing substance to everything that the tile would cover.

But I know that that’s not why you guys are here. You’re here for the drama, the distress and agony, the reason I wish was drinking right now, right? Be on the lookout for part two. I know, I know. That’s a mean teaser, isn’t it?