Where do I start - Kitchen Reno

Day 2.
From what I'm seeing now that the plaster has been removed I'm guessing that these are not the original cupboards, or appliances. Eighteen months ago when I replaced the wall oven and cooktop I replaced like for like (Electric oven, gas cooktop), but seeing the current wiring it looks like the original setup was quite different.

Gotta love tradies, obviously too far to walk to the rubbish bin.
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I think that this may have been for the original oven.
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I'm guessing that this GPO was not part of the original kitchen. I din't like the way that the wiring was done either. Is it even legal?
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Wiring for the GPO that feeds the microwave. Once again, I doubt that this is legal.
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Feed to the existing wall oven.
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I'm guessing that there were no wall cupboards in the original kitchen.
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Looks like your house was done up by some San Antonio contractors!

You might want to look behind your bathroom walls as well.

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Originally Posted by rob streeper

Looks like your house was done up by some San Antonio contractors!

You might want to look behind your bathroom walls as well.

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I'm guessing that's not a good thing.

Funny you should mention it, the wall you're seeing is one of the bathroom walls. Bathroom reno is somewhere in the distant future.

This looks like there was a doorway here sometime in the past.

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Originally Posted by Grumpy John

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more importantly, from what you write, I'm guessing you are something like the 10th or 11th owner of the property.

Given your age, you are unlikely to be a victim of one of the asbestos diseases -- you more than likely will be dead before the dust disease gets you -- but your kids and grand kiddies could be at risk.

How sure are you that the property has never been sheeted in asbestos? That none of the dust you are discovering is not contaminated with asbestos? Perhaps ban them from the house till after the reno work is completed. Once you have fully cleaned up, including all the dust residual risk should be minimal.

Just noticed what looks like two layers of drywall in your first pic, am I seeing things?
At least from what you've shown it doesn't look like it's been wet.

BTW, what's this?
Attachment 483364

The beginnings of a fusion reactor?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rob streeper

Just noticed what looks like two layers of drywall in your first pic, am I seeing things?
At least from what you've shown it doesn't look like it's been wet.

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Funny how the terminology differs between the two countries. We call it plaster, or plasterboard. Sometimes referred to as Gryrock, brand name.
No, one layer only, not sure which pic you are referring to.
Yes everything looks dry, so far. We did have issues in the shower recess at one time, when the bottom cupboards come out I will have a better idea if there is any water damage.
So far, apart from the dodgy wiring things have been going pretty smoothly, this scares me just a tad, because at some point the proverbial is going to hit the fan.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rob streeper

BTW, what's this?
Attachment 483364

The beginnings of a fusion reactor?

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That's the backside of the DPP in the ensuite.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by ian

This looks like there was a doorway here sometime in the past.

more importantly, from what you write, I'm guessing you are something like the 10th or 11th owner of the property.

Given your age, you are unlikely to be a victim of one of the asbestos diseases -- you more than likely will be dead before the dust disease gets you -- but your kids and grand kiddies could be at risk.

How sure are you that the property has never been sheeted in asbestos? That none of the dust you are discovering is not contaminated with asbestos? Perhaps ban them from the house till after the reno work is completed. Once you have fully cleaned up, including all the dust residual risk should be minimal.

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No doorway Ian.

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Wrong, only the second owner.

House built in 1997, I doubt very much that there is any asbestos in the walls. Thanks for your concern though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rob streeper

Just noticed what looks like two layers of drywall in your first pic, am I seeing things?
At least from what you've shown it doesn't look like it's been wet.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Grumpy John

No one layer only, not sure which pic you are referring

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Me thinks he is seeing the tile and gyprock as two layers.

I'm having a day off the tools today, but I would like to get some feedback on whether to use tiles for the splashback, or use an acrylic splashback. I'm sure there are pros and cons for both materials and I'm interested in seeing your thoughts. Glass is not an option, mainly because of cost.

I did one once with clear glass subway tiles, about 2.75" X 5". On white mastic with zero grout lines. I filled the gaps with clear silicone and cleaned off the excess silicone with ethanol as I moved along. I made floating shelves from cabinet ply and hard maple colored with gray green tinted lacquer installed with the tops about 9" under the bottom of the upper cabinets. Four years now and holding steady.

Thanks for the feedback Rob. If I do settle on tiles I would like to use the largest tiles practical, less grouting and less cutting, IMHO.

Don't discount subway style tiles, they go up really fast and compared to bigger there may be less cutting. The area in your pic's shouldn't take more than an afternoon. https://www.lowes.com/pd/American-Ol...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

The project manager (SWMBO) would prefer a larger tile, her reasoning is that there would be less grout to clean. Who am I to argue :rolleyes:.

Never used acrylic only glass or tiles or stone , would the acrylic scratch or mark up easily?

I think the decision is based on visual preference and what is in keeping with the style you are running with