Bathrooms
Bathroom and Shower Tile Installation in San Diego
Shower walls, tub surrounds, niches, benches and bathroom floors across San Diego County. Waterproofing goes behind every shower we tile, and it is in the estimate from the start, not added later.
The part of a shower you never see
Tile and grout are not waterproof on their own. Water gets through grout lines, so what keeps it out of the wall framing is the waterproofing layer behind the tile and the slope of the shower pan under it. When that layer is skipped or rushed, the problem shows up months later as loose tile, a musty smell or a stain on the ceiling below.
That is why we treat the prep as the main job. The walls get checked, the pan is sloped to the drain and the waterproofing goes on before a single tile is set. Then comes the part you see every morning: a layout centered on the niche and the valve, clean cuts around fixtures and grout lines that stay straight from floor to ceiling.
Bathroom remodels are where Tile San Diego started. Our own crew does the work from the waterproofing to the last bead of caulk. We do not hand it off to a subcontractor.
How a Bathroom Tile Job Goes
- 1Visit and estimateWe look at the bathroom, talk through layout and tile, and give you a written price.
- 2Tear-out and prepOld tile comes out, walls and floor are checked, and the shower pan is shaped so water runs to the drain.
- 3WaterproofingThe waterproofing layer goes on the walls, pan and niches, with the corners and seams reinforced.
- 4Tile and walkthroughTile is set to the layout we agreed on, grouted and cleaned, and we go over the finished bathroom with you.
Tile for Showers and Bathrooms
Most wall tile can go in a shower if it is installed right, but some choices are easier to live with than others.
Porcelain
The easy choice for shower walls and floors: hard, dense and simple to clean. Large-format porcelain means fewer grout lines to scrub.
Ceramic wall tile
Subway and other glazed wall tile. Light and easy to cut around fixtures. Most ceramic wall tile is not rated for floors, so we pair it with something else underfoot.
Mosaic shower floors
Small tiles follow the slope of a shower pan better than big ones, and the extra grout lines give bare feet more grip.
Natural stone
Marble and travertine look great in a bathroom and ask for more care: sealing, the right setting material and gentle cleaners. See our natural stone tile page.
Common Questions
Is the waterproofing extra?
No. Every shower and tub surround we tile gets waterproofing behind it, and it is part of the written estimate from the start.
Can you tile over the old shower tile?
We do not recommend it in a shower. The old tile hides whatever is going on behind it, and an extra layer makes the niche, valve trim and edges hard to finish cleanly. In most showers the old tile comes out.
What grout is best for a shower?
Cement grout works in many showers if it is sealed and kept up. Epoxy grout costs more and takes longer to install, but it resists stains and does not need sealing. We go over the trade-off at the estimate. Our epoxy grout guide has more detail.
How do you keep the rest of the house clean?
We cover the floors between the door and the bathroom, keep the mess inside the work area and clean up at the end of the day. The job ends with a full cleanup.
Where We Work
We are based at 2712 Transportation Ave. in National City and work across San Diego County, including:
Not sure we cover your area? Call (619) 259-2291 and ask.
Planning a New Shower or Bathroom Floor?
Tell us about the room or call (619) 259-2291. We will set up a visit, measure and give you a free written estimate for the tile work.