tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010235121801086626.post193335630591442759..comments2024-03-10T10:54:07.335-04:00Comments on Fancy Schmancy: Our home, part 2Fancy Schmancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820338705876627799noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010235121801086626.post-29959354680536299172009-02-01T11:39:00.000-05:002009-02-01T11:39:00.000-05:00But seriosly, play the mold prevention card. The ...But seriosly, play the mold prevention card. The normal seal that keeps moisture out of the walls has been broken. It might be okay now, when the air is so dry, but if nothing is done by spring, which is right around the corner, he's just asking for mold. Fixing the bathroom NOW will save him money not just in he long term, but in the mid term, also.<BR/><BR/>You say he lives inthe other half of the house? Does he want to have the WHOLE HOUSE evacuated while they treat for mold?<BR/><BR/>The phrase I like to use is, "enlightened self-interest". Make it clear how if he doesn't do this, it will TOTALLY screw him over, but it's not YOU doing it, it's the bathroom that is the common enemy. Since he's thinking "pocket book" Google the cost of a mold remediation in your area. That should get him out, stimulating the economy to the tune of a bathroom update.Scopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14671603955380819514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010235121801086626.post-89119038750105147802009-02-01T00:01:00.000-05:002009-02-01T00:01:00.000-05:00I am of no help. I have no skills. You know, lik...I am of no help. I have no skills. You know, like plumming skills, electrician skills, carpentry skills... Girls only want boys who have great skills.<BR/><BR/>And my bathroom is seriously, my favorite room in my condo, even though I rarely use the whirlpool tub.<BR/><BR/>"I'll be leaving now," Scope says, as he dodges the empty wine bottles and rotting vegetable hurled at him.Scopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14671603955380819514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010235121801086626.post-85386582816407069862009-01-26T16:34:00.000-05:002009-01-26T16:34:00.000-05:00Eegads, that doesn't look safe or healthy. Is tha...Eegads, that doesn't look safe or healthy. Is that black mold? You absolutely HAVE to get the landlord to do something about it and pronto. You can't have the shower at your house if there's black mold in the bathroom. It won't go over well with the mom to be, I'm sure.<BR/><BR/>A quick fix for the walls and ceiling, however, would be to just tack up some kind of tapestry or old sheets over the walls and ceiling.JoJohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18165375435543044068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010235121801086626.post-29513902690292900862009-01-26T13:04:00.000-05:002009-01-26T13:04:00.000-05:00I feel your pain - when we moved into our condo we...I feel your pain - when we moved into our condo we had to redo the downstairs bathroom because of the hideous wallpaper. We also had layers upon layers we had to remove. My husband had to mud the whole room because of the damage. It was terrible! <BR/><BR/>And I LOVE claw foot tubs! So jealous.Laura @ My Thoughts-Uninterruptedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03836990493552363157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010235121801086626.post-10777795128492629662009-01-25T16:52:00.000-05:002009-01-25T16:52:00.000-05:00If I lived closer, I'd make my husband come over a...If I lived closer, I'd make my husband come over and do some work- he's no professional plumber, but he's used to dealing with messed-up houses. I'd help paint because that's all I'm qualified to do. <BR/>;)<BR/><BR/>Good luck, toots.Whiskeymariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16680444919622976790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010235121801086626.post-82194116595934947012009-01-25T14:45:00.001-05:002009-01-25T14:45:00.001-05:00I'm a landlord myself, so shoot me.I'm thinking by...I'm a landlord myself, so shoot me.<BR/><BR/>I'm thinking by those pix that you might have a touch of black mold. Do you? Black mold is something that makes any sane landlord jump through hoops to keep his renter safe, etc., avoid lawsuits, etc. So, first, I'd call the landlord and ask him to come look and bring a plumber with him. Barring that, I'd call in a plumber just for a service call and let him look.<BR/><BR/>You have rights, you know.That Janie Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17447630124016303483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010235121801086626.post-25399090599682459222009-01-25T14:45:00.000-05:002009-01-25T14:45:00.000-05:00Thanks for the comments and suggestions, guys. Th...Thanks for the comments and suggestions, guys. There is so much else wrong with the house, you wouldn't believe... The electricity is a NIGHTMARE!<BR/><BR/>My mother also suggested calling the health department or fire inspector, or whoever handles the many code violations, but the reality is that the landlord would either raise my rent or evict me after.<BR/><BR/>WM, I know no handy people. I'm going to have to wing it. The landlord himself doesn't want to touch the pipes, they are so old. He was hoping to stick it to the Home Depot plumbers if anything broke. Believe me when I say that he absolutely knows what it looks like.<BR/><BR/>So, I guess I'm going to go with the velco skirt as suggested not only by Gwen, but also by my sister, Kouf.<BR/><BR/>Kouf, help!Fancy Schmancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12820338705876627799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010235121801086626.post-16178355935348720642009-01-25T14:27:00.000-05:002009-01-25T14:27:00.000-05:00Now, after reading part 1 of this (and now knowing...Now, after reading part 1 of this (and now knowing more about your landlord and lack of a lease), I see why you maybe can't push too hard with this guy. <BR/>Do you know anyone with some handyman skills? If you do, I say price out an inexpensive sink/vanity and the wallboard. Offer the landlord a deal- you'll have someone install them for just the cost of the materials and say, $50 (this is assuming you know someone who would do this for you cheap and/or free,which would even be better). If he is unwilling to go and get the stuff, tell him you will get it and just subtract the cost from your rent, providing a receipt, of course. <BR/>Tell him you will happily do the painting yourself since he is so busy and can't get to it (just to kind of "remind" him that your doing this is a favor to him, not the other way around). <BR/><BR/>Maybe this will work, maybe it won't. It seems like you're happy there otherwise, so maybe it would be worth it to just do this lazy dude's work for him.Whiskeymariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16680444919622976790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010235121801086626.post-10790229776743498192009-01-25T14:18:00.000-05:002009-01-25T14:18:00.000-05:00Holy crap. I'd call a health inspector. That loo...Holy crap. I'd call a health inspector. That looks awful. Is there anyone in your area that holds landlords accountable? I would try to find someone...he needs to either fix that or be fined until he does. That looks dangerous. Good luck.Angiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01221873203623253786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010235121801086626.post-89860427594870588902009-01-25T14:15:00.000-05:002009-01-25T14:15:00.000-05:00Okay, you DO win. but only by a hair. I still hav...Okay, you DO win. but only by a hair. I still haven't worked up the courage to post pics of my old bathroom- when we get closer to actually working on it and having "after" pics, maybe. <BR/><BR/>Also- what Gwen said. Paint, spackle, and a skirt on the sink will be a good temporary fix, but I would make sure the landlord sees how it is now before you paint and make it look better. You might have to really get on that dude and be a little pushy, but he needs to fix this- stat. The electrical does look sketchy, and he could install a new sink/vanity himself if he has even a smidge of handyman skills- hell, my husband did it in our old bathroom long before he knew anything about remodeling, for under $200.Whiskeymariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16680444919622976790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010235121801086626.post-74412239550548044352009-01-25T11:49:00.000-05:002009-01-25T11:49:00.000-05:00Sweet Jesus, that bathroom looks AWFUL! Sorry, I'm...Sweet Jesus, that bathroom looks AWFUL! Sorry, I'm just being honest.<BR/><BR/>You need to get that fixed, and not just cosmetically. Ride the landlord until he gives in!Bella@That damn expathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00441537825845749674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010235121801086626.post-30350807707997371662009-01-25T11:20:00.000-05:002009-01-25T11:20:00.000-05:00My first thought is that the electrical to the van...My first thought is that the electrical to the vanity looks dangerous. I'm not suggesting being pushy but I think you need to stay on the landlord about the dangerous stuff.<BR/><BR/>As for the cosmetics: paint. Killz and paint gives any room an instant and cheap face-lift.<BR/><BR/>I also think you could attach a "skirt" to the sink to hide the pipes using velcro tape. You should be able to find velcro tape with a sticky backing - stick one side to the sink and stick or sew the other side to a pretty fabric. Voila! Instant vanity.Gwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09100388190136741782noreply@blogger.com