Master Bathroom Renovation Journey: From Problems to Progress

Welcome to the blog today, friends!

Today I’m excited to share the beginning of a brand-new series as my husband and I tackle a major renovation of our master bathroom. Like many home projects, this one wasn’t exactly planned—but sometimes our homes have a way of letting us know it’s time.

In the photo below, you can see one side of the bathroom with the soaking tub and vanity. Our home is just 14 years old, and a few months ago we began noticing that the base molding near the bathroom was becoming damp. At first, we weren’t sure where the moisture was coming from, so we tried a couple of simple fixes, hoping the problem would be something minor. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

As we looked more closely, we also noticed a few cracks developing in one of the walls, and the hallway floor just outside the bathroom had started to creak. Those little clues convinced us it was time to call a reputable foundation company to investigate.

The inspection revealed something we never expected. Over the years, the center of our home had settled about half an inch because one of the main support beams had never been properly supported during construction. Instead of resting securely where it should have been, the end of the beam was essentially suspended without adequate support. The solution involved lifting the center of the house and installing the proper structural supports to stabilize everything.

While we were relieved to have the underlying problem corrected, we also knew it meant our shower would need to be repaired—and that quickly turned into the perfect opportunity to give our master bathroom the update it had been waiting for.

Join me over the coming weeks as I share each step of the renovation, the decisions we make along the way, the inevitable surprises, and, of course, the finished room. I hope you’ll enjoy following along on this home improvement adventure!

Once the house was stabilized, we finally discovered the source of the leak. The solder joint on one of the shower pipes had failed, and a newer crack had also developed. As a result, the shower had been leaking for quite some time without us realizing it.

With the structural repairs behind us, we met with a contractor to discuss what came next. After several meetings and a careful evaluation of the damage, it became clear that simply patching the shower wasn’t the best solution. The bathroom had reached the point where a complete renovation made the most sense.

Fortunately, we had a wonderful resource to help bring our vision to life. A talented designer—who also happens to be a friend of our daughter’s—worked with us to create a plan that was both beautiful and practical. Once the design was finalized, our contractor was hired, the permits were secured, and we were finally ready to begin this exciting transformation.

While this project certainly began with an unexpected problem, we’re choosing to look at it as an opportunity to create a space that will serve us well for years to come. I hope you’ll join me as I share each step of the renovation, along with the challenges, decisions, and exciting progress along the way.

The first few days of the project were devoted entirely to demolition. Before long, the soaking tub was gone, the old shower had been removed, and the sinks, mirrors, and vanities had all disappeared. It was amazing how quickly the room was reduced to its bare bones. With everything cleared away, we were ready for the plumbing work to begin.

Of course, every renovation seems to come with a few surprises, and ours was no exception. Once the shower was removed, we discovered that the subfloor beneath it had become thoroughly saturated from the years of leaking. The damaged flooring would have to be replaced before any new construction could move forward.

While unexpected discoveries are never anyone’s favorite part of a renovation, they’re often a blessing in disguise. It’s far better to uncover hidden problems and repair them properly than to build over them and face even bigger issues down the road. As they say, every construction project has its surprises—and we’re hoping we’ve found the biggest ones already!

With the demolition behind us, it’s finally starting to look like a room again. The walls have been framed, the damaged subfloor beneath the tub has been replaced, and the shower subfloor has also been rebuilt. The new plumbing for the vanities is in place, and we’re ready for the final framing in the shower before moving on to the next phase of construction.

It’s always encouraging when you reach the point where you can begin to see things coming back together after all the tearing out. Every day seems to bring another step forward, and it’s exciting to watch the transformation unfold.

I also have to say how impressed we’ve been with our construction crew. I have fairly severe asthma, and they’ve gone out of their way to make sure the work area is as safe as possible for me. They’ve been diligent about keeping doors closed, venting dust and air from the bathroom directly outside, and doing everything they can to contain the dust during demolition and construction. Their thoughtfulness and professionalism have made what could have been a very stressful experience much easier, and we truly appreciate the care they’ve taken.

As you might imagine, the construction hasn’t been confined to just the bathroom. Our bedroom has been transformed into a staging area as well. The drapes, rugs, bedding, and artwork on the walls nearest the bathroom have all been removed. The hardwood floors have been carefully taped off, and the bed, dressers, and other furniture are completely wrapped in plastic to protect them from the dust. I’m especially hoping that our mattress stays dust-free through the entire process!

For now, we’ve settled into the guest room and are using the guest bathroom while the renovation is underway. It’s certainly an adjustment, but we’re making the best of it. This entire project came about because of an unexpected structural issue, so it wasn’t something we had planned. Even so, we’re choosing to focus on the positive and look forward to the beautiful new bathroom waiting for us at the end of the journey.

I’ll be sharing updates as the renovation progresses, along with the inevitable surprises, design decisions, and milestones along the way. I hope you’ll enjoy following along, and with a little luck, we’ll all make it to the finish line together. Thanks so much for joining me on this renovation adventure!