Bathroom renovation in Marietta, Georgia

A bathroom in an older Marietta house may have been updated several times without anyone looking underneath. We often find tile laid over tile, a soft floor near the toilet, an old cast-iron or galvanized drain nearing the end of its life, and a window inside the shower that has let water into the wall for years.

When we see signs of damage, such as a spongy floor, staining in the crawlspace or ceiling below, or a toilet that rocks, we open the floor before planning the new bathroom. Repairing a joist or subfloor costs much less before new tile is set than after.

Working with small, old bathrooms

Many older Marietta bathrooms are only five feet by seven or eight. There, layout matters more than fixtures. A wall-hung vanity, a glass panel instead of a curtain, a niche instead of a corner caddy, or turning the toilet can make the room work. If the shower is under a window, we either waterproof the window opening properly or recommend relocating or replacing the window.

Plaster walls and old wiring

Tile does not go directly on old plaster in a wet area. We remove it or build a proper substrate over it, with a bonded membrane and flood test in the shower. Bathroom electrical must meet current code for GFCI protection and ventilation. If we find ungrounded or outdated wiring in the walls, it is replaced and priced before we continue.

Permits come from the City of Marietta or Cobb County, depending on the address.