Bathroom remodeling
Bathroom remodel in Irving, Texas
What happens behind the tile matters more than the tile. Here is how a bathroom is waterproofed, finished and ventilated, what the job does to your household, and where permits come in.
Start with water, not with tile
A bathroom is the one room in a house built to get wet every day. Most remodel failures are water failures that appear a year later: a soft floor, a stained ceiling below, tile that lifts. The finish you see is the last layer of a system. Judge a bid by how it handles the layers you will not see.
Waterproofing at a general level
Tile and grout slow water but do not stop it. In a shower or tub surround, a separate waterproofing layer sits behind the tile. It may be a sheet membrane, a liquid-applied coating or a manufactured panel system. The floor of the shower needs a sloped base so water runs to the drain. Corners, seams, the drain and any penetrations are the weak points, so they get extra attention. Ask which system the contractor uses and where the layer starts and ends. Many contractors fill the shower pan with water for a period before tiling to check for leaks. Ask if that step is in the plan.
Tile, vanity and fixtures
Tile
Pick the tile before the job starts, and check its slip rating for the shower floor. Large tiles mean fewer grout lines but need a flatter surface underneath. Small tiles follow slopes more easily, which is why they are common on shower floors. Tile layout also matters: a good installer plans where the cuts fall so you do not end up with a thin sliver beside the door.
Vanity and countertop
Check the faucet hole spacing against the sink before you order, and confirm the depth fits the room with the door open. If the vanity is going where the old one was, the existing supply and drain lines may work. If it moves, plumbing moves too, and the cost changes.
Tub, shower and glass
Frameless glass is usually measured after the tile is done, then made to order. That adds a wait at the end of the job. Plan for it, and do not schedule a finish date that assumes the glass is on the same day as the last grout line.
Ventilation
A bathroom fan removes moisture. A fan that blows into the attic only relocates it, and damp insulation and wood follow. Building codes generally direct bath exhaust to the outdoors, not into the attic, and many inspectors check that the duct reaches a real outdoor termination. Ask where the new fan will vent, what size it is, and whether it has its own switch or a humidity sensor. Pair the fan with a duct that is short, straight and sloped to drain away from the fan.
- Choose a fan rated for the room size, and a quiet one, since a loud fan is a fan nobody turns on.
- Run it during the shower and for a while after, not only while the water is running.
- Seal the duct joints so moist air does not leak into the attic.
Typical sequence and disruption
Expect dust, noise, a stream of deliveries and some days without running water. Here is the order most bathroom jobs follow.
- 1
Protect the path
Floors from the front door to the bathroom are covered. The house is sealed off from dust where possible.
- 2
Demolition
Fixtures, tile, the old tub or shower, and any damaged board come out. Hidden damage, if there is any, shows up now.
- 3
Rough plumbing and electrical
Drain, supply and wiring changes are made. Inspections occur here when a permit applies.
- 4
Framing and blocking
Blocking is added behind walls where grab bars, a niche or a heavy vanity will go.
- 5
Waterproofing
The wet area is sealed, sloped and tested before tile.
- 6
Tile and grout
Tile is set, and grout needs time to cure before it is sealed or used.
- 7
Fixtures, glass, paint
Vanity, toilet, faucets, mirrors, glass and final paint go in last.
Because demolition can uncover rot or old repairs, keep some room in the plan for surprises. Our cost guide explains how to handle those at the bid stage.
Permit note for Irving
The City of Irving says swapping fixtures or appliances at existing connections does not call for a permit, with water heaters as an exception, and that cosmetic work such as painting does not either. It also says a building permit is required to alter or repair a structure. A new tub in the same spot is a different job from a new shower where a closet used to be. Moving drains, adding a circuit for a heated floor or enlarging the room all go past cosmetic work.
Before you sign, ask which permits the plan needs and who applies for them. The city accepts applications through its online portal, and its inspections staff can answer questions about a specific plan. Treat this note as a guide to what to ask, and let the city confirm the rules.
If the house was built before 1978, the EPA's lead rule can apply when a paid contractor disturbs painted surfaces during demolition. Ask the contractor how that is handled. The same goes for older materials that may contain asbestos.
Plumbing and electrical
A bathroom remodel often moves water and power. We act as the general contractor, and licensed plumbers and electricians are brought in for that portion of the work. Their scope appears as its own lines in the bid, which also lets you compare it against any quote you already hold.
Common questions
How long will my bathroom be out of use?
For the whole job, so plan for it. If this is your only full bath, arrange a shower elsewhere. Ask your contractor for the working sequence and the days when water will be shut off.
Is tile waterproof?
Tile itself resists water, but grout and the joints between tiles do not stop it. A wet area needs a continuous waterproofing layer behind the tile.
Do I need a permit to replace a vanity in Irving?
The City of Irving says swapping fixtures at existing connections does not need a permit. Adding circuits, moving drains or supply lines, or changing walls is different. Check with the city before you start.
Should I worry about lead paint or asbestos in an older house?
Possibly. Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint, and older materials can contain asbestos. Ask any contractor how they handle both before demolition begins.
Get the bathroom looked at
We measure, check what is behind the walls where we can see it, and itemize the bid. Se habla español.