Demolition is the loud part of a bathroom renovation. Day two is quieter, but it matters just as much. On our full bathroom renovation in the Centennial Park area of Etobicoke, the second day was about building back up: our crew built up the framing and support for the new bathtub.
This post picks up where day one of the demolition left off, and it is the step that sits behind the finished bathroom.
The project at a glance
- Location: Centennial Park area, Etobicoke
- Type: Full bathroom renovation, day two
- Day two work: Building up the framing and support for a new bathtub
- Day one: Protection and demolition
- The result: The finished bathroom, completed in under two weeks
From open walls to new framing
By the end of day one, the medicine cabinet and old vanity were out and the walls around the tub and shower were open. That gave the crew a clear look at what the new bathroom would be built on.
Day two turned that open room into a base for the new one. In the footage, the crew is measuring and cutting lumber on site, fitting new framing pieces along the walls, and fastening them in place.
Why a new bathtub needs framing and support
A bathtub is one of the heaviest things in a home once it is full of water and someone is in it. It also has to sit level so water drains properly and the tile and caulking around it stay sealed. That is why the support under and around a tub is built before anything else goes in.
Getting this step right early means:
- The tub sits solid. A properly supported tub does not flex or move when it is used.
- The walls are ready for the next layers. Straight, square framing gives the insulation, waterproofing and tile a true surface to go onto.
- Problems are fixed while the walls are open. Once tile goes up, the framing is covered for years.
Checking level and square as the work goes
Framing only helps if it is straight. Throughout the day the crew used levels and squares to check the new framing and the walls around the plumbing, so the bathtub, vanity and tile would all line up later.
What came next
After the framing and support were in, the renovation moved on to the layers behind the finishes. On this project, the crew fixed the damage they found, added insulation and installed waterproofing before the new vanity, tile, toilet, faucet and bathtub went in. Nothing structural was changed in the bathroom, and the whole renovation was finished in under two weeks. You can see how it turned out, and how we planned around the family having only one bathroom, in our post on the finished Etobicoke bathroom.
If you want to know more about what happens behind the walls, read our post on drywall and shower waterproofing before finishes. Planning your own budget? Our guide to small bathroom renovation cost in Toronto covers the main cost factors.
Thinking about a new bathtub or a full bathroom renovation?
Levand Construction handles full bathroom renovations across Toronto, Etobicoke, Mississauga and the wider GTA, from demolition and framing through to the final finishes. If your bathroom is ready for a change, contact us to talk about your project.
FAQ
What happens on day two of a bathroom renovation? On this Etobicoke job, day two was about building back up after demolition. The crew built up the framing and support for the new bathtub.
Why does a bathtub need extra framing and support? A full bathtub is heavy and has to sit level so it drains properly and the tile and caulking around it stay sealed. Solid framing and support keep it from flexing or moving.
How long did this bathroom renovation take? The full renovation was finished in under two weeks, with no structural changes to the bathroom.
Does Levand Construction work in Etobicoke? Yes. Levand Construction is based in Etobicoke and works across Toronto, Mississauga and the wider GTA.
