Bathroom makeover - ADA compliant

I had tried to convince my in-laws to redo their bathroom, as they were getting up in age. Unfortunately, they used the dollar excuse for putting off what should have been done years ago. All it took was my mother-in-law breaking her hip, and everything changed. From the time she went into the hospital and finished rehab, I had to demo their bathroom and make it ADA compliant.

My father-in-law built the house about 60 years ago, using anything that he would find. Not only that, he did not following any “modern” building techniques or dimensions. I found that out all too quick.

Taking out an existing cast-iron tub can be a headache. After trying the sledgehammer technique and getting nothing but tremors, I scored the tub with a carbide steel cutting blade on my circular saw. Once I put a cut half-way through the middle, busting the tub took only a couple of minutes. Note to self – bring others to help with tub next time.

The house was added on to three times during that 60-year time period. As you can see from the first pic, there was an exterior window that was sort of left there. The interior was done with lathing and plaster. It seemed that he must have known I would be replacing the tub with a walk-in shower, as he put everything exactly were I needed to put plumbing. Not wanting to waste an 8”x8” oak beam, he tucked it between the joists just so he would have more support.

I used Hardibacker for the walls. I’ve worked with this before and like it because of the durability. It goes on nice and lasts forever. They wanted to keep it cheep, so I went with the 6”x6” subway tile. I talked them into utilizing some contrasting color. Keeping with the black-white tile, we settled on black trim.

Fortunately, I could find studs to anchor the handrails. I had to angle the main wall rail, thus serving two purposes – a) allowing them to put their hands and help themselves up from the seat, or use it to help themselves stand, and b) I was able to find studs to anchor the railing!

All-in-all, they are very happy they did this. They had another worry – resale, as this is the only bathroom on the main floor. We said, don’t worry – that will fall on the children to sell the house, as they plan to live there the rest of their lives.

-- No matter how many times I measure, I always forget the dimensions before I cut.