023 cards
Before framing
Room sizes, openings, stairs, ceiling heights and anything structural. Cheap on paper, expensive once the walls are up.
BathroomsFree
Curbless shower
Drainage, floor slope and traps
- no step into the shower
- floor recessed or built up
- best for aging in place
034 cards
Before rough-in
Where pipes, wires, ducts and boxes go, before the inspector signs off on them.
BathroomsFree
Linear drain
Drainage, floor slope and traps
- one-way slope, so large tiles work
- clean modern look
- good for curbless showers
041 card
Before drywall
Blocking, insulation, fire blocking and anything else that lives inside the walls.
BathroomsFree
0513 cards
Before tile + floors
Waterproofing, backer board and floor prep that go under the finish you see.
BathroomsFree
Waterproofing
Bathroom services and systems
- membrane under tile in wet areas
- tile and grout are not waterproof
Where to waterproof
Waterproofing in bathrooms
- shower walls: full height (code: nonabsorbent finish to at least 6 ft)
- the entire shower floor
- tub walls with a shower head
Critical details
Waterproofing in bathrooms
- floor-to-wall corners
- pipe and valve penetrations
- drain connection
Flood test
Waterproofing in bathrooms
- plug the drain, fill toward the curb
- wait 24 hours, check below (code minimum is 15 minutes)
- before any tile goes down
Shower floor slope
Drainage, floor slope and traps
- ¼″ per foot minimum
- ½″ per foot maximum (code)
- use smaller tiles on a center drain
0646 cards
Throughout the job
Choices and checks that aren’t tied to one stage. Settle them early, or check them as the work goes.
BathroomsFree
Liquid-applied
Waterproofing in bathrooms
- painted on in coats
- seamless, good around details
- meets ANSI A118.10 when listed
Sheet membrane
Waterproofing in bathrooms
- bonded with thinset
- consistent thickness
- pairs with matching drains
Traditional pan liner
Waterproofing in bathrooms
- PVC or CPE liner over a pre-slope
- the old-school mud shower
- needs clear weep holes at the drain
P-trap
Drainage, floor slope and traps
- holds a water seal against sewer gas
- 2″ minimum seal
- on every sink, tub and shower
Where to use which
Tile and stone in a bathroom
- shower walls: porcelain, glazed ceramic or sealed stone
- shower floor: mosaic or textured porcelain
- main floor: porcelain or stone, wet DCOF 0.42+
Tile in a bathroom
Tile and stone in a bathroom
- porcelain or mosaic on wet floors
- glossy and glass tile on walls only
- epoxy or urethane grout in showers
Stone in a bathroom
Tile and stone in a bathroom
- honed, leathered or flamed on floors
- polished on walls and tops only
- seal it; use gentle cleaners
Tile setter
Bathroom team, timeline and cost
- membrane and flood test
- tile, stone and grout
- slopes and finish
Kitchen, Bathroom and Stairs are open to everyone. The rest are in the full fieldbook.
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