Bathroom Tile Remodeling in Middletown, CT

Yes. A large share of Middletown's housing is multi-unit and we plan for it: association or landlord paperwork first, protection for shared hallways, sealed debris removal, and a full-floor waterproofing membrane over any unit below. The tile scope for a standard apartment bath usually runs about a week.

Yes, provided the structure is checked honestly. Old joists are often full-size lumber and strong, but they may have been notched for plumbing. We inspect from below where possible, correct deflection and level, and use a bonded waterproofing system that tolerates the small seasonal movement an old frame has.

Yes. A curbless shower on a framed floor means recessing the pan between the joists or building the floor up around it; we tell you which is feasible after looking at the framing. Benches are built and waterproofed as part of the shower, and we add solid blocking behind the tile wherever grab bars are planned, even if they are installed later.

Not for tile, cabinets or countertops with no structural changes or alterations. Those are exempt under the state building code, and the city's Building Division publishes its own list of exempt work. Valve, drain, outlet and fan changes are permitted through the Building Division at 245 deKoven Drive by the licensed plumber or electrician. Applications there are reviewed only once paperwork and payment are in, so we raise permit items early.

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.