lesson learned

Every day is a learning experience when you’re renovating.  Today, for example, I decided to have a go at taking up the cork tiles in the kitchen in our Glendalough unit.  We’d need to take them up to lay the vinyl flooring, right?  So I had a good little dig at them before we went out to buy the vinyl and carpet for the unit.

Whoops.  Wrong, as it turns out.  We could’ve left them down and just laid the vinyl over them.  Now, as I’d had a go digging at them, the surface is no longer smooth.  We need to take the whole lot up.  This doesn’t sound too bad, but let me put it this way: after about six man-hours, we’ve only removed about a third of the tiles.  This is an area that’s only about four square metres, so you get the idea.

I did learn one interesting thing, however.  If you are removing cork tiles, you can sprinkle flour over the glue that’s left behind on the floor.  The other alternative is feeling like a giant bug on flypaper.  Trust me on this.

I’ve been looking into floor strippers tonight.  Hiring one is sounding like a seriously good option at this point.  For $100 for four hours, my little problem could be easily (and quickly) fixed.  Now, I just need to convince the Finance Manager.  (Both SO and I refer to the other one in this manner when we need to get agreement over expenditure.  It’s basically recognition of the fact the other person has veto power.)

If nothing else, we did do a few things today.  The whole unit except the bathroom has been undercoated and primed.  We’ve picked up the bathroom taps, and a new basin, for a really good price.  We ordered the carpet and vinyl flooring, which will be laid next Tuesday.  So yeah, we have accomplished a fair bit.  Already, the unit is looking so much better it’s unbelievable.

We’ve also decided to get the existing venetians cleaned, rather than replace them, and get the bathroom floor grouting cleaned.  We’ve done this before, and it looks really good.  Plus, it’s time efficient – the results are much better than me scrubbing them on bended knee.

SO is doing double duty today – he’s at the other unit tonight.  The kitchen cabinetry is being installed by our friend who made it, so SO is chipping in to help out.  I don’t know what the neighbours will think about the drilling at 9pm at night, but to be honest, I just want this one finished.  This project has been ongoing since March, and we need it finished and tenanted ASAP.

So tired.  I think I’m going to go to bed and try to forget about the whole cork tile thing.