Bathroom and Shower Tile
Why Bathroom Tile Work Is Different
Bathrooms are the most demanding environment for tile. The combination of daily moisture, steam, temperature changes, and direct water exposure means that what happens behind the tile matters as much as what you see on the surface. A shower that wasn't properly waterproofed before tiling will eventually fail — water finds its way through grout joints and into framing, causing mold and structural damage that can take years to become visible.
We treat every shower and tub surround as a waterproofing project first and a tile project second.
What the Work Includes
Demo and Substrate Assessment
We remove existing tile or wall surfaces down to the studs or concrete substrate. Before anything goes back up, we check for soft spots, mold, and moisture damage. Any compromised framing or backing gets addressed before we proceed.
Waterproofing and Backer Installation
For wet areas, we install cement board (like HardieBacker) or a sheet membrane system such as Schluter Kerdi. In shower pans, we use a pre-sloped foam pan or a mortar bed with liner membrane, both of which direct water toward the drain rather than trapping it under the tile. All seams and corners are taped and waterproofed.
Layout Planning
We snap chalk lines and dry-lay the tile before any mortar goes down. This lets us see where cuts will fall and adjust the layout so you don't end up with slivers of tile at eye level or in a corner that draws attention. Grout joint width is set at this stage.
Setting and Grouting
We use the appropriate thinset for the tile type — large-format tile requires medium-bed mortar; natural stone requires a white, non-staining thinset to prevent bleed-through. After the thinset cures, we grout with sanded or unsanded grout depending on joint width. Caulk is used at all inside corners and changes of plane — never grout, which cracks in those locations.
What's Typically Included
- Demolition of existing tile or wall surface
- Cement board or membrane waterproofing system
- Shower pan or tub surround preparation
- Layout planning with dry-lay verification
- Tile setting with appropriate thinset mortar
- Grouting with sanded or unsanded grout
- Silicone caulk at all plane changes and corners
- Sealing (for natural stone or porous tile)
- Cleanup and debris removal
Available in These Areas
We install bathroom and shower tile throughout San Antonio and the surrounding communities. Our primary service areas include Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, and Live Oak. If you're nearby and not sure whether we cover your neighborhood, call us.
