It’s an exciting day because we’re kicking off a new Pro-Follow with general contractor Joe Bianco as he and his crew remodel not one, but three full bathrooms! Although we’ve covered bathroom projects in the past, each job presents its own unique challenges, and I’m sure we’ll find some unexpected twists in this remodel.

One interesting aspect of this project is that Mr. & Mrs. Homeowner are beginning the process of selling their home, and Mrs. Homeowner is a real estate broker. They’ve tasked Joe with remodeling the bathrooms, but that isn’t the only work taking place. The homeowners are also replacing the roof, installing new windows, expanding the master bedroom closet, and making cosmetic improvements. Mrs. Homeowner is confident that despite the drop in real estate values in our area, these upgrades will more than pay for themselves when the house sells. She jokes that often her clients are resistant to her suggestions for improvements, but when it’s time to sell, even real estate brokers follow their own advice.

Here’s a look at the bathrooms, and they’re in fair shape. However, some of the furnishings are original to the house which makes them 27 years old!

Joe’s crew began the demolition in the master bathroom, and the plan is to replace everything including a jacuzzi tub. In its place will be a regular, full-size tub.

Instead of a wall partitioning off the toilet, the guys will be turning that into a knee wall.

The walls around the shower are also coming out to be replaced with glass to make the bathroom a more open space.

The plumbers got started on disconnecting and capping off all the supply lines beginning with the jacuzzi.

The plumbers like to use caps when possible because they’re so inexpensive. You can see they used Sharkbites to cap these 1/2″ lines because it would have been difficult to maneuver a torch, and even though they’ll reclaim them later, it’s one more thing that can get lost in the shuffle.

Here’s a look at how the plumber soldered caps onto the shower supply lines. First he cut the lines.

Using a wire brush and plumbers sand-cloth, he cleaned the fittings and pipes.

The plumber got his solder ready and applied flux which will draw the solder into the joint.

Using an acetylene torch, the plumber quickly heated the joint and applied the solder.

The plumber also disconnected the vanity sinks and capped the drain lines.

Here’s a look at the jacuzzi innards before and after the tub was removed.

Here’s the master bathroom after demolition was completed, and Joe’s crew has moved on to dismantling the other two bathrooms.

That’s all for today’s update. Stick with me as I continue to follow this bathroom project, and become an RSS or email subscriber to keep up with all our Pro-Follows.