Handyman Life

Bathroom Tile Installation in Chicago: A Close Call That Revealed Hidden Damage

It all started on a sunny October afternoon with a simple caulk job around a bathtub. What looked like a routine touch-up quickly turned into a full-scale bathroom tile installation and wall rebuild. As soon as I began scraping away the old tiles, they crumbled right off the plaster wall—revealing water damage so severe I could practically see through the wall. The underlying structure was compromised, with no seal between the tub and the walls. To fix it properly, I had to reinforce the walls, install a waterproof membrane, and rebuild the entire area to ensure a lasting finish.

In a city as diverse as Chicago, you never know what architectural surprises await behind each tile. Even so, there’s nothing more rewarding than transforming an outdated, water-damaged space into a clean, modern, and structurally sound bathroom. By the time the project wrapped up, this bathroom had not only brand-new tile but also a solid, leak-free foundation—proof that a little extra work goes a long way. If you’re in need of a Chicago tile installation, give me a call. Let’s make your bathroom fresh, functional, and built to last.

With the first flick of the scraper tool, the tiles start crumbling off the wall. Before I know it, I am looking right through the wall. I put my hand against the wall behind where the tile was, when I pulled away, my hand was dripping water. I explain to the owner that the walls need to be reinforced, and completely rebuilt with a waterproof membrane.

The Deeper I get the worse the condition is revealed. This doesn’t deter me. I rip open the wall and tear back to a point where I feel comfortable that I can get a good seal around the tile, and create a solid wall.

I’m not going to bore you with the details, because believe me, its a snooze fest. But suffice it to say, I left the bathroom in better condition than I found it and that is more than I can say for most bathrooms I visit just after thanksgiving.

Below you will find a photo of the finished bathroom tile installation. Chicago has a large spectrum of building and construction styles that have rolled through over the years. Its always fun to use an old structure, to make something modern clean, and structurally sound.

Well that’s all the big words I can think of today, I’ll catch up with you next time. Be sure to give me a call for an estimate on your Chicago tile installation. Cheers!