Bathroom Remodeling in Decatur, GA

A bathroom remodeling project is a long list of small decisions that depend on each other. Move the toilet and the vanity may need to shrink; choose a frameless glass door and the wall needs extra backing; pick large floor tiles and the subfloor has to be flatter. Precision Remodeling helps Decatur homeowners make those decisions in a sensible order, so each one supports the next.

Where the drains and supply lines can go

The existing plumbing is the starting point. We locate the drain and supply lines, note whether the room sits over a crawlspace, basement or slab, and check the condition of shutoff valves and visible pipe. Keeping fixtures near their current positions keeps cost down; relocating a shower or toilet is possible but needs a drain route with proper slope and a vent.

Once the plumbing limits are clear, the layout can be drawn with confidence.

How the shower is waterproofed

Tile and grout are the finish, not the barrier. Behind them, a shower needs a waterproof layer that runs continuously from the drain up the walls, wraps the curb and seals around the valve and showerhead. The two common approaches are a membrane over backer board and a liner beneath a sloped mortar bed; either works when it is installed carefully and tested before tile.

Spacing the fixtures

Fixture spacing affects comfort every day. Leave elbow room on both sides of the toilet and knee room in front of it, give the vanity drawers space to open, and make sure the shower door swings without hitting anything. We draw the room to scale with each fixture and its clearance, and adjust before anything is ordered.

Glass, lights and hardware

Shower glass configuration is one of the bigger visual choices: a fixed panel, a hinged door with a return panel or a sliding enclosure. Frameless glass looks clean but is heavy, so it needs solid backing at the hinges and is measured only after the tile is installed.

Lighting and hardware are chosen at the same stage. Vanity lights at the sides of the mirror reduce shadows, a wet-rated light can go above the shower, and towel bars, hooks and grab bars should be selected early enough for blocking to be installed behind them.

Tile, grout and the floor underneath

Choose tile and grout for how the room is used. Porcelain is dense and durable; natural stone needs sealing; small mosaics give better grip on shower floors. Cement grout should be sealed, while epoxy grout resists stains but costs more to install. Patterns and setting materials are described further under tile installation in Decatur.

Underneath, the subfloor must be stiff and flat. Soft spots near the toilet or tub are repaired, and if an underlayment is added, the new floor height is matched to the hallway with a transition piece. Floor transitions are easier to get right when they are planned with the tile rather than after it.

Plumbing permits in Decatur

Decatur is in DeKalb County. The City of Decatur Design, Environment and Construction Division’s permit guidance says a separate trade permit is required to install, alter, repair or replace any sewer, drainage or plumbing system, whatever the job costs. The city accepts permit applications and inspection requests only through its online permitting portal, not on paper or by email.

Now or later: phasing the work

Some homeowners prefer to remodel in stages. If so, the hidden work should come first: plumbing changes, waterproofing, electrical rough-in and subfloor repair. Visible items such as mirrors, light fixtures or accessories can follow later. Even then, the electrical boxes and wall blocking for the future mirror and lights should go in now, so the second stage does not mean cutting into finished walls.

For a single-phase remodel, the order is protection and removal, rough changes, waterproofing, tile, then fixtures, glass and trim. The shower layout and ventilation are settled during rough-in. Near the end, each light fixture and storage piece is compared with the plan, and any change you request along the way is written up with its cost first.

Frequently asked questions

Does Decatur require a permit for bathroom plumbing work?

According to the city’s permit guidance, Decatur requires a separate trade permit to install, alter, repair or replace any sewer, drainage or plumbing system, regardless of what the job costs. Applications and inspection requests are handled only through the city’s online permitting portal. A bathroom remodel that changes or replaces plumbing falls within that description.

Should I choose frameless or framed shower glass?

Frameless glass uses thicker panels with minimal hardware, so it looks open and is easy to clean, but it is heavier and needs strong wall backing. Framed or semi-frameless enclosures use thinner glass held by metal channels, which costs less and can seal a little more tightly. The choice often comes down to appearance, the shape of the shower and the budget.

Is epoxy grout worth the extra cost in a shower?

It often is on a shower floor or with a light grout color. Epoxy grout resists stains and does not need sealing, so it keeps its color where cement grout tends to darken. It costs more and sets quickly, which makes it harder to install neatly. Cement grout still performs well if it is sealed and resealed as its manufacturer recommends.

Sort out the order of decisions

Call 404-409-4448 to describe your Decatur bathroom and the changes you are considering, even if you are not sure which should come first. We can arrange a visit, measure the room and prepare a written estimate based on what we find.