• Fortunately, the original vanity was installed before the floor tile, leaving the concrete floor bare. To create a flush-fitting lid, I used premixed small aggregate concrete to form a lip, allowing a concrete tile backer board with a rubber gasket to sit snugly over the sump pump opening. This not only contained moisture but also helped quiet the swooshing water noise—and after 10 years, the access is still being used.

• To ensure easy sump pump access, the new vanity needed a section cut out at the bottom. This avoided the hassle of detaching the entire unit for maintenance, which would have required removing screws, detaching the sink drain, disconnecting hot and cold water lines, pulling off the cover plate and outlet box, and even lifting the vanity over the vent pipe. This streamlined approach made servicing much simpler and more efficient.

• Additionally, the base molding was installed with finish screws for easy removal, and the backsplash was attached directly to the countertop, requiring only a thin bead of caulk—easily cut when the vanity needs to be moved.

• Overall, these adjustments transformed the space into something far more functional and maintenance-friendly, ensuring long-term reliability without unnecessary headaches.

• The sump pump power cable needed to be routed up alongside the vent pipe, ensuring it remained accessible and removable for future pump replacements. Keeping this setup flexible prevents unnecessary hassle when maintenance is required.

• Additionally, the hole in the vanity bottom had to be precisely positioned directly above the sump pump lid to ensure practical access. To keep it covered, I used a plastic snap-in cover, similar to the ones installed on the shower wall in the hallway to create easy access (see below). The clip system holds it securely in place while still allowing for quick and easy removal when needed.

• At my suggestion, the wall sheathing was upgraded from sheetrock to plywood to provide easier access to plumbing valves and for future repairs. Instead of using a single, solid panel, the plywood was installed in sections, allowing access to the wall cavity without the need to remove an entire sheet—or even all the pieces.

• This approach also eliminated the repeated demolition of sheetrock, streamlining the process and preventing unnecessary waste. It was a practical, forward-thinking solution designed to make future maintenance much simpler

• To maintain a clean appearance, this plywood filler sheathing was carefully sized so it remained completely concealed behind the vanity. As mentioned earlier, the repeated cycle of resheetrocking, taping, and painting after each service was inefficient and impractical for this project, so this solution was a far more effective approach.

To ensure the shower head area was properly reinforced and functional, the sheetrock was removed, allowing for secure backing installation. The same approach was taken below, where the hot and cold water lines are located—ensuring stability and accessibility for future maintenance.

The next photo (below the one on the left) illustrates this process in action.

This angle highlights how the new backing keeps the valves secure and tightly positioned against the shower side of the wall. A cover—similar to the one resting on the floor in this photo and referenced earlier—was also installed at the bottom of the vanity for convenient access.

In this instance, the cover was painted to match the wall color, clipped into place, and became almost unnoticeable. This simple addition allows for easy diverter valve replacement (average life is 8-12 years in this local) without the need to cut into the wall board, patch holes, tape, or repaint—dramatically reducing the time and cost of future repairs. The long-term savings and convenience of this setup can’t be overstated!

To facilitate the installation of proper backing and allow for a thorough plumbing inspection, the shower-side wallboard was removed.

The shower head and trim pipe will be taken out so that the new shower surround can be installed seamlessly. With the shower valve perfectly aligned and the valve control stubbed through precisely, the installation is straightforward—eliminating the need for an expensive plumber.

During installation, the shower head pipe stub-out it was discovered that it didn’t perfectly align—it did not fully clear the new surround or penetrate through the upper flat strip of the unit. However, after weighing the cost versus the benefit of adjusting its position, the owner deemed the existing placement adequate, opting to leave it as-is rather than incur additional expenses for modification.

The new shower unit base fit neatly into the existing depression in the floor tile, ensuring a seamless placement without requiring any costly modifications due to cutting the existing tile or the ugliness of having to install over-sized caulk beads. This near perfect fit eliminated the need for additional work, keeping the installation both efficient and budget-friendly.

The first glass panel of the new shower has been successfully installed, fitting squarely into place. To the left, the vanity replacement—completed beforehand and featuring hidden wall access behind it—can be seen. With careful planning, all components are aligning precisely, ensuring a clean and efficient final result.

While this photo speaks for itself, one detail worth noting is the brand-new vacuum in the background, highlighting the cleanliness maintained throughout this remodel. From start to finish, every phase of the project has been kept meticulously tidy, preventing the usual wear and tear on rugs and walls—something that can often be overlooked by less experienced crews.

To ensure a pristine finish, I use dozens of protective blankets and tarps, leaving the space looking as though no work had ever been done—just a perfectly completed project, with no unnecessary mess left behind.

With the project nearing completion, one of the last steps involves installing the various trim pieces. Due to slightly warped walls, I had to use prop sticks to ensure the pieces remained in place while the adhesive cured properly.

The white stick pushing against the brown vertical board in the photo illustrates this method in action, showcasing a simple yet effective way to achieve a clean, secure fit despite minor wall imperfections.

Sink stoppers are among the most frequently worn-out fixtures, especially in rental units where they endure heavy daily use. In the upstairs bathroom of this apartment, the existing stoppers were completely nonfunctional, prompting the owner to have them replaced while I was on-site.

Beyond improving usability, this simple fix also contributes to water conservation—allowing renters to fill the sink for washing instead of letting the water run continuously, reducing unnecessary waste over time.