Taking up the old floor was a disgustingly messy job. I took up the linoleum and then spent a couple of days chiseling off a layer of concrete. Then I used a paint stripper to get through a few layers of paint and some well dissolved tar paper to get to the original poured concrete sub floor that was in excellent condition. I used a circular sander to get rid of the stubborn paint and filled in the two holes in the subfloor. For some mysterious reason, it has a top coat of red tinted concrete. It is scored, I think, to assist the tile installer.
The laying of the new tile floor appears to have worked. Everything is level. One minor crisis. As soon as I began to apply the thinset mortar, it became clear to me that we would not have enough to complete the job. Husband ran to the hardware store. They didn't have it, so he dashed across Central Park to the Home Depot and got back just as I was scraping the bottom of the bucket.
The spacers made such an eerie landscape. I didn't want to remove them.
I'll have to get one of those metal strips to bridge the gap between tile and wood. In two weeks, I will apply sealer to the grout. I have inhaled a wide variety of noxious fumes in this process. The garlic of omelets future will eradicate the scent of disturbed old surfaces.
13 comments:
I think those bridge strips come in materials other than metal now, so maybe you can find something to match your gorgeous wood floor. That tile does look perfect, btw. Those spacers ARE neat, but imagine stepping on one barefoot?
P.S. Congrats on your film debut!
Dear PM, Alas, I don't think my turn in Bear City will qualify me for an Equity card.
That's a neat piece of work. You are truly multi-skilled.
I love how the black granite complements the warm wood flooring, spacers notwithstanding.
Remembering stories of previous home improvement adventures, I must ask: how's the back?
Birdie, I end every day with a walk to the gym (open till 11PM because this is NYC) where I do the full set of California stretches and some yoga. This seems to have kept the back operational, thanks for asking.
It was vinyl tile you removed, not Linoleum, and it's called a Schluter strip.
Right you are DCJoe, I meant vinyl.
I had no idea that strip had its own name!
Well done sir!
Very nice! I've never had much confidence in my own ability to do such things. I'm very impressed with what you've done!
Now just be careful not to slip on that floor once it's in use (especially if it gets wet)!
I love your post. Thanks for sharing.
Hey FT. Nice Job with the Kitchen. I've been around here a few times, with my IPhone while riding on the buss on my way home; but I am not able to post comments from it because I cannot see the word verification box (something to do with lack of Flash support, I think). Anyway, congrats on your new kitchen, and please make sure to wear a dust mask while chipping and sanding all that old stuff.
Rey
Very nice job sir. They do have wooden strips that will bridge the gap, and will match your wood floor. If the gap is too large, you may need to rent a tile saw and fill it in with strips of your tile before using anything to bridge the gap. The floor looks fabulous!
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