Bathroom Remodeling in Lithonia, GA

Not every part of an old bathroom has to go. A sturdy tub, a window in good condition or a vanity you like can sometimes stay, and keeping them changes the plan. When Precision Remodeling takes on bathroom remodeling in Lithonia, one of the first conversations is about exactly that: what must change, what can stay, and how the new work will meet whatever is kept.

What stays and what goes

Items worth keeping are usually the ones that are both sound and well placed. An enameled cast-iron tub with an intact finish, a window that is not inside the shower spray, or tile floor in solid condition can be protected during demolition and worked around. The trade-off is that new materials must match up to them neatly, and the old item’s drain or supply connections may still need replacing.

Other parts are rarely worth saving. An old shower valve without scald protection, corroded shutoff valves, a fan ducted into the attic, or drywall behind shower tile instead of a proper backer are common candidates for replacement, because they sit behind finishes that will be expensive to open again.

Fixture spacing, the shower and the fan

Once the keep-or-replace list is set, the layout is drawn to scale. We place the toilet with clearance at both sides and in front, the vanity with room for drawers, and the shower with an entry that does not compete with the door. The shower layout records the valve height, the showerhead, and any niche or bench.

Ventilation is part of the same drawing. The fan should sit near the shower and vent to the outdoors through a short duct, and it should be strong enough for the size of the room. Many people find a humidity-sensing switch or timer helpful, so the fan keeps running after the shower ends.

Vanity size, lighting and tile transitions

Vanity sizing is a balance between counter space and walking space. A cabinet that is a few inches narrower can make the room easier to move through, especially near the toilet. The mirror and lights are centered on the final vanity, with fixtures at the sides or above.

Tile transitions are planned at the doorway, around the tub and where floor tile meets the shower. Where tile meets a kept element, such as an existing tub, the joint is sealed with a flexible sealant rather than grout, since the materials move differently.

Drains, supplies and wet-wall framing

The drain and supply locations determine how much the layout can move. We confirm them early, along with the condition of the pipe we can see. The framing around the tub and shower is checked once it is exposed: rotted studs are replaced, crooked ones are straightened or furred out, and blocking is added for grab bars, glass and accessories.

Glass and hardware choices

The shower glass configuration, the lighting fixtures and the hardware and accessories should be decided before installation begins. A fixed panel suits a walk-in shower, a hinged door suits most alcoves, and a sliding enclosure works over a tub. Matching the finish of hinges, faucet, towel bars and light fixtures keeps the room consistent. If you are updating floors elsewhere too, our page on tile installation in Lithonia may help.

Lithonia permits and the homeowner affidavit

Lithonia is in DeKalb County. The city’s Building and Permitting Division reviews plans, inspects work and issues building and trade permits through its online Citizen Portal. The city’s permit checklist requires a permit for fixture work that alters piping, for new fixtures that need piping changes and for water heater replacement. Permits go only to contractors holding a license or to owner-occupants, who file a notarized homeowner affidavit; the form notes that state law requires the owner to live in the home for two years after the work.

The estimate and the final checks

A useful estimate states what is being kept, what is removed, what new materials go in and how transitions to retained items or repairs are handled. It also names who supplies each fixture and what is excluded. If hidden damage appears, the repair is priced in writing before it goes ahead.

Before the final walkthrough, the niche and storage pieces are compared with the plan, and the caulk where new tile meets a kept tub or window is checked for gaps.

Questions about keeping and replacing

Is it worth keeping an old cast-iron tub?

Often it is, if the enamel is in good shape and the tub fits the new layout. Cast iron holds heat well and is very durable, and removing one is heavy work. A tub with chips or worn enamel can sometimes be refinished. Its drain and overflow parts are usually replaced during the remodel even when the tub itself stays.

When does replacing a fixture in Lithonia need a permit?

Lithonia’s permit checklist ties the requirement to piping. Fixture work that alters piping, new fixtures that need piping changes and water heater replacement all need a permit. If you are unsure whether a particular swap falls into one of those groups, the Building and Permitting Division can tell you before work starts.

Why replace an old shower valve during a remodel?

The valve sits inside the wall, so the remodel is the easiest time to change it. A newer pressure-balancing or thermostatic valve protects against sudden temperature swings when a toilet is flushed elsewhere in the house. Replacing it also lets you choose trim that matches the rest of the new fixtures, since trim generally fits only its own brand and series.

Discuss your bathroom

Call 404-409-4448 to talk about the bathroom you want to change in Lithonia. We can visit, go through what is worth keeping, and prepare a written estimate based on the room as it is.