Ep.13: DIY begins! A bathroom remodel in our 19th century French house

We've started our first DIY project in the townhouse! Patrick walks you through the steps he's taken to figure out the waste pipe plumbing: disconnecting water supply lines, applying compression fittings, knocking a hole through a 12 inch thick wall, and finally the demo of the TARDIS (what we call that shower cubicle). This tiny bathroom is on its way to having a beautiful walk-in shower! It's the first step in this old European house renovation.
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If you love renovating old houses, finding antiques, and all things French, come along on our adventure! We're an American couple renovating a maison bourgeoise (a city townhouse with chateau style) in the historic town center of Amboise, in the Loire Valley of France.
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#homereno #remodeling #doityourselfproject

[@cherieferro1427]

Patrick, you are incredible!

[@AustintoAmboise]

I appreciate this vote of confidence. Thank you!

[@sandragerlt4532]

Thanks!! We’ll be heading to Leroy Merlin in Angers tomorrow afternoon so that’s super convenient. We know Leroy well from our years in Italy. 😉

[@charisoutofTexas]

Almost 5,000 subscribers!

[@LetsBuyAChateau]

It's fascinating to watch them, isn't it? I just love it! Such a beautiful place.

[@targetglen]

All french houses now have to have VMC, which is continuous ventilation by an electric extractor fan, usually in the ceiling space. The units are cheap and universally available ( see your local Brico) and can be connected to your existing passive ventilation. It can have two speeds and is left switched on all the time, with surprisingly low electric consumption. it's so silent, you won't even know that it's on.

[@DeborahMaufer]

Could you box in the space between the two "skylights" and put one proper, functioning skylight in the roof?

[@ExpatinEurope2024]

This was a very helpful video - I deal with old houses as well. The one point of feedback is that some of the filming is shaky, not sure why, but I had to close my eyes a bit. Did not stop me from watching, no hate, just maybe something to look into.

[@AustintoAmboise]

Yep. I'm working on stabilizing the video and improving the audio levels. Let's see if I can improve on those in the next video. I don't want our viewers getting seasick!

[@Poet1952]

Such patience!

[@AustintoAmboise]

Merci!

[@bondfieldmarcoux833]

I admit to being partial to your bon vivant appeal and iconoclastic tastes but I enjoy seeing a fellow nerd show me how to face cosmic challenges like plumbing, I learned so much and was set free to try find my own skills.❤

[@LetsBuyAChateau]

Oh my word! I don't know how you know all that plumbing... It blows my mind. Props to you for tackling it and understanding it! Sadly I have a bathroom to finish off once we take ownership and I don't have the first clue of how to do the plumbing. I figure I'll call a plumber...
It would be fun to do some brocante shopping together! I do have a big house to fill 😊. We'll have to get in touch and find out when we're there next at the same time!

[@charmees6637]

Wow! Interesting windows , etc. How they done things back in the day? Like your renovation work

[@mrmrslabillette9960]

good luck to all the works of renovating this maison bourgeoise...and you have a lot there. ( ^^,) Once your bathroom are done, think of the isolation/heating system - preparing for the winter....also do the necessary outside work done first too.Once you're well isolated and you are warm in winter, the renovation can continue no hassle. Bon courage.

[@sandragerlt4532]

Greetings from Saumur! Where did you order those panels of shower tile from?

[@ExpatinEurope2024]

I used to have a vacation home on Rue LaMartine in Saumur. Lovely city. I hope you are loving it.

[@AustintoAmboise]

Leroy Merlin. It's a third party manufacturer who delivers it but Leroy sells lots of stuff like that.

[@Alexandra-jj2qh]

Watching how you are working out the plumbing puzzle was quite interesting, especially given the age of the building.

[@AustintoAmboise]

I had hoped it wasn't too boring. Thanks.

[@grabowskycountry]

There’s so much debris in renovating. You two have the tenacity to do this. Can’t wait to see the bathroom done with a clean skylight😎Cheers

[@meankitty1333]

Wow making good progress ❤

[@laceyjane4285]

Patrick, glad to see you back in Ambrois. Absolutely loved your wife's videos in your absence.

[@AustintoAmboise]

Thank you!

[@CassCassidy-qs3gx]

Yassssss I was so looking forward to seeing this thanks 👍

[@AustintoAmboise]

Awesome! Glad you enjoyed the vid.

[@dmt_youtube7281]

please speak louder or get a better mic.