Questions & Answers

Hi, new member, DIY. My project is a small 2nd floor bathroom. I’m doing this as a post cancer recovery personal challenge. I want to see if I can do this and start living again.

Here is the space. There was a pocket door/wall that has been partially removed in this photo. The fiberglass shower in the right back corner is going to be replaced with a tile shower. I’m keeping the bathtub. This is a drop in tub, no tile flange, but enclosed on 3 sides. I would like the full back wall, right wall/window, and the dividing wall to be tile.

Initial questions:

1. I’d like to do 1/2” drywall using Kerdi membrane, and mud floor. Should I replace the green wall drywall with new drywall or re-use existing?

2. I’ll get picture of current drain. If I have to redo p-trap of shower drain to get a flat drain, do I just cut out enough of OSB floor to access floor drain and then add a layer of 3/4” plywood or OSB with a smaller ~ 5” drain hole? I’m guessing that’s the only option if I can’t fix the current drain through existing drain hole.

3. There is a drain vent that comes up through floor before diving in between wall studs. You can see it on far right side of tub between tub and shower wall. So I need to build a step/mini bench which makes the pan non-rectangular.. I believe mud bed is best option, as I can mud around and bench, step I want. Is this correct?

4. I am breaking the work up into two phases…. 1. Right side and ceiling 2. left side. Right side is shower/bath and tile. Left side is toilet, vanity

5. Floor…undecided on LVT or Tile. Im worried about floor stiffness with tile though.

Sorry to be long winded.

Mike