Last Updated: April 7, 2025 @ 08:24 PM, Originally Posted: February 26, 2025 @ 10:51 PM
I started on a journey to complete major renovations on my condo that was built in 1969 - and so I also decided to document some of the work, along with taking notes publicly to share with you all, in hopes that it may be of some value to you.
The bathroom was one of the primary rooms that desperately needed repairs and upgrades as the bathtub was all chipped up, shower tiles were dirty, moldy, and cracked in so many places, the toilet was cracked in multiple places, and the vanity probably had 30 layers of paint and wallpaper on it, along with the walls too. And just a plethora of everything was wrong with the bathroom. Needless to say, the easiest thing was to just start over, from the beginning.
Completely gutting the bathroom revealed many atrocities in the original build out, but I believe that is just something to be expected in this day and age. Granted, the bathroom technology back in 1969 in the USA was certainly not as good and standardized as they are now, in 2025. Not to mention, perhaps some maintenance along the way could have prevented some of the current existing water damage to the sill plate along the framing.
I'm not exactly sure when and how the water leaked back there, but the damage could have likely been caused from overflowed water from the vanity counter over multiple days, weeks, and years - or perhaps leaky pipes over years dripping over the sill plate - it was behind the vanity, under the sink, and behind the wall, of course. Nevertheless, I think likely the water damage could have been done prior to my purchase of the property The area had now turned dark, crumbly, and weak, no longer offering any structural support.
This rotted wood certainly needs to get repaired and reinforced before any other work continues in the bathroom renovation.
