Full gut renovations, done from the subfloor up. Bathrooms fail because of what's behind the tile, so that's where we spend the effort.
Why bathrooms fail
This surprises people. Tile and grout both let water through — slowly, but continuously. What keeps a bathroom dry is the waterproofing layer behind the tile, and in most houses built before the 2000s there effectively isn't one.
The old standard was drywall or, worse, regular gypsum board behind the tile in a shower. It works until the grout develops hairline cracks, which it always does. Then water reaches the board, the board fails, and the damage moves into the framing and the ceiling below.
By the time you see a loose tile or a stain on the ceiling downstairs, the assembly behind it has usually been wet for years. That's why we don't do partial shower repairs — patching over a failed substrate just moves the problem.
If your shower has loose tiles, the tiles are not the problem.
Assembly
| Substrate | Cement board or a foam backer board in wet areas. Never paper-faced drywall behind tile in a shower, regardless of what was there before. |
|---|---|
| Waterproofing | A continuous membrane system — sheet or liquid-applied — over the substrate, with the corners, changes of plane and penetrations detailed properly. The corners are where systems fail. |
| Pan & drain | Sloped correctly to the drain, with a bonded or clamping drain matched to the waterproofing system. Flood tested before tile goes on. |
| Subfloor | Checked for deflection and repaired or stiffened where needed. Tile is unforgiving of movement, and this is why floors crack. |
| Joists | Inspected while open. Old bathrooms are frequently the place where joists were notched or drilled for plumbing until there was very little joist left. |
| Ventilation | A fan sized for the room and ducted to the outside, not into the attic. Interior moisture problems are usually ventilation problems. |
Sequence
Layout, fixtures, tile and finishes decided before demolition. Tile and vanity lead times are the usual cause of a stalled bathroom.
Stripped back to framing. This is when we can properly assess the joists, subfloor and any existing damage.
Joist repair, subfloor replacement and stiffening where the deflection calls for it.
Plumbing and electrical set for the new layout, vent fan ducted, then inspected before anything is closed.
Backer board, membrane, pan, and a flood test on the pan before tile. We photograph this stage — it's the part you'll never see again.
Floor and walls, with movement joints where they belong.
Vanity, toilet, shower door, trim, paint and hardware. Then the walkthrough.
Typical range: 3–5 weeks for a standard full gut
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