Reflections from Crumbly Acres: Bathroom reno

Sept. 2023

The bathroom hot water tap was dripping. It took force to shut it off. We figured we might as well get a new counter, taps and bowl.

The choices are amazing. We ended up at Rona. There were many staff who approached us happily, asking if we needed help. Boy, do we!

We took home some counter samples, unable to talk to the pro at the time.

Mid-September, 2023

When we made our choice, we went back, with an appointment. I'd set my heart on an undermount sink. Thing is, you cannot have an undermount with laminate. Too many possibilities of water damage. The quartz is twice the price ($70 per sq.'), with installation included, but only on jobs of a certain size, larger than ours. They charge extra ($350) for rural, small jobs.

I'm going to do a backsplash. The kids' tiles in their new kitchen reno:

We took home samples.

Videos don't work well, but this is what I did:

counter samples from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

We've two counter tops in the bathroom. I know we cannot match this one. Maybe we'll just forget about it.

Next, we have to choose a sink, and taps. I put it into a Word document, but forgot to take it. That didn't matter, as we will order it all, then have it here with the contractor puts it in.

This is what we chose for the counter top.

It doesn't photograph well.

We are still debating a top mount vs. insert.

This is the one I ordered, this style of tap, as well.

Next decision is a backsplash...

Oct. 2

My order has arrived. The counter top is on order. All we need is someone to install it! I filled in the forms at Rona online, at the installation request website. No response as of Nov. 14th.

October 26th

Rona sent us the countertop. Delivered in the dark!

Oct. 27th

I phoned Charles, who is in charge of delivery, to ask him about installation. He passed me on to Paul.

Nov. 13th

Paul did not phone, Charles thought he'd get back to me after the weekend, Oct. 30th. No response. I called Charles. He found the paperwork. He said he'd put a call in to the installation department.

Nov. 14th

Paul phoned. He submitted the job to the department. They will get back to him by the end of the week. It will likely take a month or two until they have an appointment for us. I explained that the tap is leaking, and we need it done. Paul said he might try a plumber in their crew, and will call us back Nov. 15th, Wednesday.

Called back, said he is waiting to hear.

Dec. 11th

We found a contractor through another contractor. Wed., Dec. 12th he will come. He was ill, and postponed.

Dec. 16th/17th – it was finally done.