Monday, December 24, 2007

T'was The Week Before Christmas!

Well we have saved our story of our adventure of the past week until now. The reason is, that I did not want to tell anyone until we were finished and all ready for the celebrations of Christmas.
We had a bit of a 11th hour emergency here last weekend in the middle of the big storm.

We dealt with it by ourselves and took on a project that both Carl and I were not sure we could do. But because of the emergency situation being so close to the holiday....we figured we would never get a contractor here in time to be finished before Dec 22, when the first of our family celebrations at this house was to happen.

Until Dec. 22, we had no water or shower in our main bathroom. Which meant some of us had to go to The Lyon's house to shower.

So now everything is done enough so we can have our celebrations and the food is ready and the presents are wrapped and the chores are done......I can tell you the story:




T'was the week before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring....
'Cept for my computer mouse








A storm was raging
And the tree was all decked out
Christmas music on the stereo
And thoughts of watching a video that evening is what we were all about




When what do my surprised ears hear
But my name being called with an echo, I fear.
Up the stairs I flew like a flash
To main bathroom to find Carl abash




A wave of forelornment came over my breast
As I looked at the sight
I must attest









There sat Carl looking so down
His eye were filled up
So weapy he might drown

It started as a simple tub grout
When the tiles fell off!










We gazed at the mould and the wet
This is not what we signed up for, on that you can bet!

And as Carl carefully chipped away at the morter
So careful to take each tile off in order
Saving them all to repair the wall and re-do

With a crash! A tile fell off the wall into the tub and went SMASH!
Oh and now it is ruined, no chance of recovery
Boo Hoo!



The hours we spent being careful and cautious
Were in vein
For now no 30 year old replacement tiles remain!











At this point it was looking like Santa will never get to come
And Lynn looked at Carl and said, "Don't be so glum!
We'll rent the home depot van and get the supplies and do it ourself! Get Cameron up here and you two rip those walls out!
There's no turning back now, it is ruined and it has to be fixed, so we'll replace the whole back lickety split!:


Carl said, "I Can't! I don't know how!"
Lynn said, "I know how and I will teach you. I can no longer do the lifting and slugging, but I can tell you how to accomplish the deed. All you have to do is heed."


Carl and Cam ripped down the walls as the storm raged outside.
Got down to insulation and saw mould on that too, so vapor barrier and insulation came out too!










By midnight that Sunday the mess was removed and placed in the car for a morning appointment with the dump.
Then the adventure at Home Depot had our egos nice and plump.








It was decided the tub was too heavy to go in such a short time frame, it would effect the Christmas festivites. This was a race!
And a tub liner seemed the very best choice
And when there was only one in our colour to choose from in the shop
And it was the right colour......there was a cheer in our voice..hippity hop!


New fluffy pink insulation went up
Then new vapor barrier too!
And a waterproof wall board and prep for new taps Woo Hoo!










Lynn sprayed foam insulation in the corner units to make them strong.
Geeze those liner pieces are long!










The liner flat boards were glued and siliconed, and then they went up
Pressing and rolling for what seemed hours before we gave up












The holes were cut for the new plumbing
Then we gave it some time to cure







Now we were ready for the corner pieces
For sure!











The liner did not go up lickety split
It took some finesse
Actually it took quit a bit!

Pressing and alligning
And cutting and shimming to make a perfect fit.
By this time none of us were flexible
Our muscles were hurting quite a bit.




Lynn Tackled the plumbing and made it all fit
And the caulking would be next.....

And it had to be a special caulk....
Lynn taped the seams up so the lines would come out perfect and clean


By now the tub was looking quite a scene









White caulk all around and clear stuff for the joint seems.

And it is great that in the photos the liner just gleems!








So by Friday the tub was mostly all fixed
And only waiting for the caulk to dry was our next trick.
We put on the curtain and bath stuff.
The paint up top will have to wait
For now that is enough





So by Saturday we got to shower and we were all clean, so Santa will come cuz
Yuletide is here (and we don't smell)
And we are ready, and we had enough days break so we are not out of steam.



So I hope you all have great Christmas Cheer, for today is Christmas Eve.
It is already here!
We came through the disaster and we fixed it all ourself, and now we are ready for some celebration help.

The Tucker's wish you all a good Christmas, and we will have a toast to you all tonight.
Hug your families tight
And if you listen close on this quiet night you just might hear us here in Canada
With a faint Cheer.

Happy Christmas to You and to all a Good Night!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Woooow, White Xmas and a new bathroom so well documented (thanks for the instructions in all its details!)
- what more can one ask for!

Hope you had a good one and wishing you A Happy New Year :-)

Anonymous said...

Go you! Fabulous job under pressure!

Anonymous said...

Inspired of your snow report, I've tagged you!