We had a similar issue in our old Victorian—thought it was just a quick tile swap, but ended up discovering rotted subflooring once we pulled things up. Older homes always seem to hide something unexpected behind the walls or floors. Moisture barriers help, sure, but sometimes it's just decades of hidden leaks or poor ventilation catching up with you. Did you end up having to redo any plumbing too, or was it mostly surface-level fixes?
We ran into almost the exact same thing—thought we'd just slap down some new flooring and call it a day, but nope, ended up uncovering ancient plumbing that was basically crumbling. Honestly, if you're already pulling stuff up, it's probably worth checking out the pipes too. We tried to just patch things up at first, but trust me, band-aids on old plumbing never last long... Learned that one the hard way. Did you manage to keep costs down or did it spiral once you started digging deeper?
Yeah, plumbing surprises are the worst. We tried to keep it eco-friendly and budget-friendly, but once we saw those rusty pipes, things escalated fast. Ended up replacing with sustainable materials—cost a bit more upfront, but hoping it'll save headaches (and cash) down the road. Honestly, better to bite the bullet now than deal with leaks later... learned that lesson too many times already.
Did you find the sustainable materials easy to source locally, or was it a bit of a treasure hunt? I've been considering something similar for an upcoming remodel—trying to balance eco-friendly with budget-friendly can feel like juggling flaming torches sometimes. Curious if you noticed any immediate benefits (besides peace of mind, haha)... like lower water bills or easier maintenance? I'm all for investing upfront if it means fewer midnight plumbing dramas down the line.
"trying to balance eco-friendly with budget-friendly can feel like juggling flaming torches sometimes."
Haha, totally get this. I'm wrapping up my first-ever remodel right now, and honestly, sourcing sustainable materials locally was a mixed bag:
- Found reclaimed wood and recycled tiles pretty easily at a local salvage yard—prices were decent too.
- Fixtures like low-flow faucets and showerheads were trickier; ended up ordering online after striking out locally.
- Immediate benefits? Definitely noticed lower water usage already, especially with the new toilet and showerhead. Maintenance-wise, it's early days, but cleaning seems simpler with fewer nooks and crannies.
Overall, I'd say the upfront investment feels worth it so far. Haven't had any midnight plumbing dramas yet... fingers crossed. You're on the right track though—it's stressful at first, but once you start seeing results, it feels pretty rewarding. Hang in there!
