Bathroom Wildlife and the Surprise Above the Ceiling
Renovating an abandoned house in France always comes with surprises, and this bathroom ceiling renovation nightmare delivered one of the biggest yet. When we started pulling down the old lath and plaster ceiling, we expected dust and debris, but instead we uncovered a full-blown rodent infestation renovation complete with a rat nest ceiling. This is real-life abandoned house renovation France style, and it shows exactly what can happen when you take on a derelict house restoration on a small budget.
This house renovation vlog follows our journey as expats tackling an old house renovation France project, and it highlights why rural France renovation is rarely straightforward. The wildlife in house renovation problem quickly became the main event, and because we are doing this as a budget renovation project, every decision matters.
Lath and Plaster Removal in an Old French House
Removing a traditional lath and plaster ceiling is never a clean job, but it becomes far worse when decades of rodents have been using it as a motorway. We used basic tools and a lot of caution, because safety matters when you are renovating an old house and uncovering unknown hazards. This part of the DIY bathroom renovation shows how traditional building techniques can hide serious issues.
The ceiling removal revealed multiple entry points, and the damage made it clear that this fixer upper France had been neglected for a long time. Dust masks quickly became essential, and progress slowed, but uncovering the problem early will save us trouble later.
Rodent Infestation and the Reality of Rural Renovation
Living in the countryside has many benefits, but rural France renovation also comes with wildlife challenges. As the ceiling came down, we discovered huge nests packed with walnut shells and debris, and the scale of the rodent infestation renovation was impossible to ignore. This is a common issue in abandoned house renovation France projects, but it is rarely talked about honestly.
Dealing with this mess is not glamorous, but it is part of renovating an old house on a budget. Clearing it properly was essential, because ignoring it would only lead to bigger problems later.
Budget Renovation Decisions and Hard Choices
Working on a budget renovation project means constantly balancing cost, time, and effort. Instead of calling in specialists, we tackled the cleanup ourselves, because budget renovation projects often require more labour instead of more money. This is the reality of many expat renovation France journeys.
Every sack of waste removed brought us closer to a usable bathroom, and while it was unpleasant, it also felt like progress. Renovating an old house often looks worse before it gets better, but pushing through is the only way forward.
Sealing Entry Points and Traditional Repairs
Once the nests were removed, the focus shifted to sealing every hole we could find. Old beams, uneven timbers, and split oak meant nothing was square, but traditional building techniques helped guide our repairs. We reshaped holes and patched them properly so rodents could not return.
This stage is crucial in any old house renovation France project, because preventing future infestations protects all the work that follows. Fixer upper France projects demand patience, and sealing things correctly now saves money later.
Ceiling Insulation Retrofit for a Warmer Bathroom
With the ceiling finally clear, we moved on to a ceiling insulation retrofit. Insulating an old bathroom makes a huge difference, especially in a rural property where winters can be cold and damp. This upgrade is a key part of turning a derelict house restoration into a livable home.
Better insulation means a warmer room and lower heating costs, so it fits perfectly with our budget renovation project goals. It also helps with soundproofing, which is a welcome bonus after weeks of demolition noise.
Extractor Fan Installation and Steam Control
Bathrooms in old houses often struggle with moisture, so an extractor fan bathroom install was essential. Cutting the hole and fitting the fan was tricky because nothing is straight, but a steamy bathroom solution was badly needed. Reducing condensation helps protect the new ceiling and insulation.
The fan installation shows another challenge of DIY bathroom renovation in an old property, but it also proves that practical upgrades are possible without huge expense. Small improvements can make a big difference in daily comfort.
Life as Expats Renovating an Old French Farmhouse
This project captures the highs and lows of French farmhouse renovation and expat renovation France life. Renovating an abandoned house is rarely smooth, but sharing the struggles is part of the journey. From wildlife in the ceiling to finishing touches, this house renovation vlog shows the reality behind the dream.
If you are considering buying a rural property or starting your own abandoned house renovation France project, this video offers an honest look at the challenges, the smells, and the satisfaction that comes with real progress.
00:00 Mouse with clogs moves into our bathroom ceiling
00:42 Crowbar vs lath and plaster ceiling begins
02:24 Take Two! Mask on after toxic ceiling surprise
02:55 Ceiling collapse kicks off the renovation chaos
05:51 Ceiling hole grows into a full rodent motorway
06:22 Rodent entry point discovered in old ceiling
06:39 More filthy holes and a massive rat nest revealed
07:25 Roll-top bath ruined by abandoned house wildlife
07:37 Half done already, bags piling up fast
08:15 Giant rat nest crashes into the sink
08:27 Sink plug mysteriously recycled mid-renovation
08:56 A van-load of filth emptied from the bath
10:41 Multi-tool seized during budget renovation project
11:30 Why rats hate square holes in old houses
13:23 Holes reshaped using traditional repair methods
13:35 All ceiling holes finally patched
13:52 Adjoining room holes sealed at last
14:06 First-ever ceiling insulation in this old house
14:38 Marking the hole for the extractor fan
14:47 125mm fan fitted to fight steam and smells
15:33 Plasterboard lifter declares mutiny
16:30 Fan electrics fight back, slowly surrender
16:44 Power on! Fan works and ceiling survives
17:12 Warmer, quieter, rodent-free bathroom victory