Bathroom Tile Remodeling in Cromwell, CT

Yes, with planning. We keep demolition inside the association's working hours, protect common hallways, and bag debris rather than carry loose material through shared space. If your unit is above another, an acoustic mat under floor tile is a small cost that keeps the association and the downstairs owner happy.

Often the easiest gain is taking the shower into the space of an oversized vanity or a linen closet, or removing a rarely used tub next to it. The plumbing usually stays close to where it is, which keeps your plumber's work and the permit simple. We tape the new footprint on the floor before deciding.

We tile over sound plywood after leveling; we do not tile over particleboard, damaged OSB, or vinyl that is loose or cushioned. In a 1970s Cromwell bath that usually means removing the particleboard layer, checking the plywood beneath, and adding cement board or an uncoupling membrane.

Tile, vanities and countertops are exempt from a building permit under the state code when nothing structural changes. Plumbing changes (a new valve, a moved drain) and electrical changes need permits from the Cromwell Building Department at 41 West Street, applied for by the licensed plumber or electrician doing that work.

We build the pan, then go over it with a bonded waterproofing membrane such as a Schluter-KERDI style sheet or a liquid-applied one where the geometry calls for it. The membrane runs over the pan, up the walls, around the curb, and over every seam, corner and valve penetration, and we hold a twenty-four-hour flood test before any tile goes down. If a drop moves, we find it while it is still inexpensive to fix.

Only sometimes, and only when the old tile passes the checks: solidly bonded everywhere when you tap it, flat, and structurally sound, with enough give at the outlets, counters and doors to absorb the added thickness. When it fails any of those, tiling over it locks the problem in. On a wet area we almost always take it down to the substrate instead.