Tile Work, Day 2

I woke up at 6:40 AM, warmed up a cup of coffee I got from the bathroom and posted yesterday's activities. It may or may not rain again this morning, but they said on the Weather today that the average August rainfall here is 2.66 inches and we have only gotten 0.15 inches to date.

I decided breakfast would be good, so I scrambled some eggs. It was sprinkling, so I was hopeful as I shaved and showered. I left the house at 9:00 AM, headed for the "other" Lowe's in Canton. Once there, I picked up the additional counter rail edge molding I needed, a 1x3-inch board (6 feet long) and a tile saw. I planned on borrowing a tile saw from my neighbor, the self-employed contractor, but it turned out he didn't have one.

Next, I went back to my old Lowe's and returned things (the counter rail edge molding that was used, two decorative tiles that were chipped and 5 electrical box extensions (I don't need 'em).

I got home about 11:00 AM. The sun is starting to peak out, so I checked the rain gauge. Again, it was less than 1/8 of an inch, total. Damn!

So, I unloaded the car, changed clothes and got to work. First came the construction needed. I cut the curved corner of the counter into a 90 degree angle, using a Skil saw and then a saber saw. Next I cut the end of the counter next to the stove flush with the cabinet. Otherwise, with the counter rail edge molding, the stove wouldn't fit back into the opening, and that would be bad. I used the vacuum cleaner to get up the bulk of the sawdust.

Next, I pulled out the dishwasher to add some structural bracing to the counter. Where the insides of the sink cabinet would normally brace the counter, somebody before I got here cut big opening so they could replace the original small sink with the normal-sized one that's in there now. Since I am about to add a ton of weight, I think I should brace it on both sides, (I fear it sagging and cracking the tile) so I did. You can see Photos to better understand all this.

It was about 1:30 PM and I was hungry, so I warmed up a hamburger and an ear of roasted sweet corn for my lunch. I lay on the bed, watching TV and resting my legs while I ate. I was hoping to fall asleep, but that didn't work. So, I got back up and back to work.

First, I shut off the power to the kitchen plugs, removed them from the boxes and taped over the screws and wires, using electrician's tape. Well, I turned off the power to all the plugs, but the switch for the light over the sink was still on. Instead of screwing around, I just did that one while it was live (ain't afraid!). After I had them all taped, I turned the power back on.

Now, it's time for the backer board. I meticulously cut the first piece. The long section I scored with a razor knife and then snapped it (like you do drywall). To cut out for the electrical box, I used the saber saw with a diamond blade (they recommend carbide and it's probably cheaper, but I couldn't find one). Sidebar: You are talking a LOT of cement dust, here. I'm cutting in the garage and the car is covered and I am covered. I just hope it doesn't harden in my sweaty hair before I can take a shower.

It took about three times of trimming it before it fit, and I finally realized I was trying to be too precise. With all the overlaps, "close" is close enough! But, when it did fit, I took it down, applied the mortar with the 1/4-inch notched trowel (first time I ever did that, BTW). I stuck the backer board up and screwed it to the walls with the special screws and my drill.

It was 5:15 PM and my goal was to get all the backer board up tonight. So, I needed to kick it into gear! So, I measured, cut and installed two more boards. I stopped at 7:00 PM, went outside and dragged the hose back to the raised bed garden. Oh, God, no! There are more ripe tomatoes out there, and I haven't dealt with the last two harvests, yet. Never the less, I hooked it up to the square sprinkler, turned the water on and, back inside, set the timer for 30 minutes. Now, back to work!

At 7:30, the timer went off, so I stopped in mid-measurement, went out, shut the water off and came inside. I didn't coil up the hose as I will need to water the front grass tomorrow. And, I'll deal with those pesky tomatoes tomorrow, too! (I got a plan).

Now it's the last wall section (behind the stove) for the 1/4 inch backer board. I took all my measurements and was on the way out to cut it when the phone rang. It was B___, checking on my progress to date. I told him where I was at and that I planned to stay up until all the remaining backer board was up. He said I was being stupid (not the first time he's ever told me that, BTW!) because when you get tired is when you start making mistakes.

We hung up and I got back to work. I had it cut, mortared and screwed to the wall just after 9:00 PM. I am tired, dirty, dusty and mostly hungry! So, since I got all the board up where a poorly done job might allow the tile to fall, I decided B___ was right, and stopped there. I took a rinse-off shower and then made a box of mac & cheese. I had no milk, so I reconstituted some evaporated milk I always keep on hand for just such emergencies.

I did get some food in me, but that's about as long as I stayed up. I didn't bother with TV, just went straight to sleep.