Day 12

Some progress being made.

The final tiles were laid today. 

But the work still isn't complete. The mortar has to dry overnight. The crew comes back tomorrow to fill in tiny gaps with grout and apply the sealer. This floor is more complicated than a Kardashian relationship. Hopefully, it will last longer.

Last night's renovation dinner: potted meat on crackers and a cup of mandarin oranges picked up at the local convenience store. 

I want my kitchen back.

Day 11

The floors are finally being laid. The crew says it will take about 3 days. This is because the tile is being "butt set". I'm not sure if this refers to the ass crack show I get as they lean over to lay the tile or the fact that we opted for no grout lines between the travertine.

Lesson Learned: budget your bank account and visits to the gym for eating out every day for 6 weeks. And keep non perishable food convenient in a handy location (but away from pets) so you don't have to go searching for them. Save plastic utensils, napkins, and condiment packages from take out to use during renovations. Outdoor grilling is a good option if the weather is nice and the construction crew hasn't blocked it off with their tools.

Day 10

The floor crew came by this morning. They took out a few of the tiles and dry laid them to see what they look like. Then they left for the day.

Karma is not pleased.

Day 9:

Making a mountain out of a mole hill.

The crew came back today to install the concrete board on the floor.

According to the installer, there is a mountain under our house. The floors aren't level. Three different contractors have told me the same thing. However, each of them pointed to different places where the floor rises. Evidently there is a mountain range under our Florida home. Funny thing, I never noticed any dips or raises on the kitchen floor. 

I asked the installer if the boards would make the floors level for the travertine. Travertine is a soft stone and can crack and chip easily. He said there is no way to make that floor level. And he left it there and walked away. After my initial freak out of "OMG, why are we installing travertine on a lumpy floor", he explained to me that the boards will make it flat. Which will be fine for travertine. So evidently there is a difference between flat and level in contractor language.
I asked him if the travertine needed to be sealed. He said, yes, travertine needs to be sealed initially and redone once a year forever. But, he didn't factor sealing the travertine into the estimate. WTF!!!!

Tips for Travertine: Don't drop anything heavy on it, no stilletto heels, and don't install near an airport.

These floors will be the death of me.

Day 8

The crew has decided it is too pretty outside today to work. They dropped off the tile at 1:00 and are playing hooky. I, however, am left to play in the renovation dust.

P.S. I would like to thank my wonderful partner, Matt for staying out of town during the worst phase of the renovation. I am so glad you have not had to tolerate the jackhammers, chisels, hammers, dust, debris, farts, burps, belly rubs, ass cracks, blocked driveways, footprints, smudges, barking, overflowing trash cans, chemical smells, peeling paper, flying plastic, paint drips, and the overall emotional rollercoaster ride of seeing your home destroyed by strangers. This is so much easier when only one of us is freaking out.

Day 7.5

So,  I've decided to play a little prank on the floor installers tomorrow morning.

Day 7

I got home late from Ft. Meyers last night. The only thing I noticed before going straight to bed was a fine layer of dust on everything. The plastic is not doing it's job.

 And I got up this morning to find something missing from the bathroom.

Good thing we have a privacy fence. 

                                            

They arrived early today to work on the floors again. Chiseling, hammering, scraping, repeat. Over and over and over. All day long.
The island is gone. And so is my patience.



Lesson learned: Make sure you get a final estimate on installation BEFORE they break up your existing floor.