Tile is the last decision, not the first
Every tile job worth having starts with a membrane system, correctly sloped mud bed, and sealed penetrations for the shower valve and drain. Skip that step and the grout will crack long before the tile pattern goes out of style.
What a complete scope spells out
- Which waterproofing system gets used behind the tile
- Substrate flatness and slope tolerances before setting begins
- Grout and sealant choices suited to a humid coastal climate
- Curing and testing steps before the space is used
- What happens if the tear-out reveals rot or prior water damage
Salt air and standing humidity change the math
Between the salt air rolling in off the harbor and summers that keep bathrooms humid for months at a time, waterproofing here has less room for error than it does inland. Grout lines and caulk joints that would last a decade elsewhere can fail in half that time near Mount Pleasant's waterfront.