Tiling

I have spent the last two days in a four-by-four bathroom battling my lack of knowledge regarding masonry. My group has been working on a nearly finished house, painting trim, sealing floors, generally cleaning, and finishing the tiles around a tub. Taylor Davis and I volunteered to do the tub… figuring it to be an interesting one-day job. We had so much to learn…. The group before us had done a MUCH less than perfect job with two sides of the tub and we were left to try and cover the final side which included a multitude of spigots. We taught ourselves the intricacies of cutting 18 inch tile squares (made much more difficult by the quality of the tile which crumbled at the merest touch). Mixing mortar by hand, we spent our day covering the remaining bathroom wall. When our site managers returned they pointed out the faults with our work and we pulled out all but four tiles. This next morning we recognized the inadequacy of the remaining tiles and only one survived the scrutiny. So I spent today in the same tiny space with Taylor and Alex Johnston and we are so close to finishing the bathroom that has plagued us for days. Due to some mortar complications we endured three tile landslides today, damaging so many that we were left without the necessary number needed to complete the wall. But with fresh supplies to be delivered tomorrow morning, I am itching to complete the project that has definitely challenged me. Tomorrow also promises to be interesting as we have ripped out the tiles on another bathroom floor (faulty due to the previous group) and will be replacing those. I think we’re getting good though! Despite the frustrations I feel greatly accomplished and have found the new hope within myself. Love you and miss you Mom and Dad.
- Rachel Heredia