Anyway, Ralph and Brian got the subfloor installed, insulated the supply pipes, and bedded the shower pan in mortar to give it a secure and solid support, no flexing or bouncing.
Here's why the shower drain pipe got moved: to allow for this trap underneath. Ralph likes the drain fitting because it can be tightened from above, simplifying installation.
The ventilator box has been moved over so it's pretty much above the sink. We talked about putting it above the shower, but Ralph is afraid water will get into it and ruin the motor, so it goes here. Not ideal, but such is life. The vent tube runs all the way across and down to the cornice vent of the downstairs bathroom, no hole needs to be cut in the roof.
The subfloor is installed, and the shower pan bedded in its plaster. I understand they've put plastic sheet over the plaster, just under the pan, so that the pan doesn't stick and can be pulled up if necessary, but still gets solid support. You can also see that the pipes have been thoroughly insulated with tube foam.
Then in the afternoon, he started working on putting up wallboard, working around the areas where the electrician would need to work.
Views of the hallway with the wallboard in place. He's built in a space above the door for a little transom window, to allow some natural light in from the existing roof window. If and when I ever get to build a new roof window inside the bathroom, it'll be just a fun little detail.
The electrician finally showed up mid-afternoon, and as he did his work, running wires and installing fixtures, Ralph followed him with wallboard, closing up the walls. This would have given me no chance to take pictures of the wiring, but they had to break at 5 for dinner and a rest. It's a brutal heat wave, and they're both dripping with sweat and almost dead on their feet. So I took the opportunity to take some shots. (I donated blood this morning, so I'm pretty zonked myself.)
The ventilator box, with wiring and insulation in place.
Wiring for the medicine cabinet light and GFI. There's an additional wire run up to the middle of the ceiling, from this box, which will allow an overhead light to be installed later, if and when I decide I want one.
Several views of the east wall, with all its wiring and plumbing in place. The single switch next to the door is for the ventilator fan.
This picture is taken inside the bedroom closet, now partly closed up with wallboard, looking up at the new wiring which will supply the light fixture inside the closet, as well as the grungy old armored cable that supplies the existing light fixture inside the closet and the ceiling light in the bedroom.
A view from the bedroom, showing at the closet door and a new wire that's been run for a wall light fixture in this bedroom. At lower left you can see the ancient fixture (it's actually for a gas lamp sconce!) that's been wired to supply the ceiling light in this bedroom. I'm having him install the new wall fixture so I can get rid of this old mess, there is no way on earth this is code!
I managed to snap one picture of the plasterer at work in the living room. Wallboard for the soffit (behind him) went up really quick and easy.
The soffit in the living room ceiling, with wallboard and plaster. The plaster will have to dry for a couple days before painting.
View from the stairwell, showing the newly plastered hallway wall. I must say it's a great feeling to see the walls in place and starting to look like a real hallway with a bathroom in it. Been a long time coming.
High, medium, and low views of the bathroom's east wall, with wallboard and plaster.
The west wall (shower enclosure) showing the cement board which does not get plastered, tile will be laid right on it. (Ralph calls this stuff "wonder board" ... I wonder why? :-)
Views of the hallway from the two adjacent rooms, these are just more views of the plastering job. Can you tell I'm psyched?
And by the way, my cat Chani did not get installed in any of these walls! We're doing this the old traditional way. (If you don't get the joke, look here to find out.)
The closet door, viewed from the bedroom. Now that the walls are closed in, we get a much better feel for how this new closet will be ... it's small, of course, but I think it's adequate, and a small price to pay for the new bathroom.
View from inside the closet, showing the new door which will give access to the Jeffries tube (eave attic).
From the access door, looking at the closet's north wall, showing the armored cable and the old light fixture which has been moved again to allow the plasterer to do his work. I still intend for this cable to get hidden inside the wall somehow, I really don't want it sticking out like this. We'll have to check with the electrician when he comes back for finish work.
The door frame and hallway baseboards are done. Interior and closet will happen on Monday, I think.
We've decided not to put glass in the transom window for now. There's no real problem with leaving it open ... and maybe I can get one of my artsy friends to make a stained glass piece to go here.