Waterproofing is the whole job
Tile is not waterproof and grout is not either — water passes through grout and sits against whatever is behind it. What keeps a shower dry is the membrane and pan under the tile, and it only works as a continuous system, lapped correctly at the curb, the corners and the niche. That is why a leaking shower almost never leaks at the tile. It shows up as a soft spot on the floor outside the door or a stain on the ceiling below, often long after the job.
What we usually find behind an old shower
Drywall where backer board belonged, a cracked mud bed, no pan liner at all, or framing that has been wet for a while. None of that is unusual in an older house and none of it is your fault. We photograph what we find, show it to you with options and prices, and nothing gets added to the job until you approve it in writing.
If it is your only bathroom
Say so early, because it changes the order of the work. We hold demolition until the tile, the vanity and the valve are on site, so the room is not sitting open waiting on a back-ordered part, and we tell you which days the toilet and the water are out of service. The site gets cleaned at the end of every working day, which matters more when the room is off a hallway you use.
What You Can Expect
- 01
Let's Talk
Tell us what you're looking to do. We'll listen, ask questions, and help you understand your options.
- 02
Review The Project
We'll look at the space, talk through the details, and figure out what makes sense for your home.
- 03
Get An Estimate
You'll receive an estimate before work begins, so you know what to expect.
- 04
Get To Work
Once everything is approved, we get started and keep you informed along the way.
- 05
Make Sure It's Right
Before we call a project finished, we make sure the work meets our standards and yours.
Bathroom Renovations: common questions
Can we keep the existing layout?
Usually, and it is the cheaper choice. Leaving the toilet, drain and shower where they are avoids opening the floor and moving waste lines, which is the expensive part of a bathroom. If the layout genuinely does not work we will tell you what moving it involves.
Tub or walk-in shower?
It depends on who uses the room and what else the house has. If it is the only full bath, most people keep one tub. A curbless shower means recessing the floor or building up the rest of the room, so it is a framing decision, not a fixture decision, and it has to be made before demolition.
How do I know the waterproofing was done right?
You cannot, once the tile is on — which is exactly why it is worth seeing before it gets covered. We photograph the waterproofing and the pan before any tile goes down and give you the pictures. Ask any contractor for the same thing.
Serving homeowners throughout Washington County
Most of our projects are in Washington County and the nearby communities. If you're planning a remodel, a repair or a renovation and you don't see your city listed, call us and we'll tell you straight whether we can help.