Demo &
Substrate Prep
Tile removal and the prep underneath it. We take out what's failing, fix the surface it was stuck to, and leave a base that's actually ready for new tile.
The Job Starts Before the New Tile Shows Up
New tile over a bad surface is a short job with a long callback. Loose backer, a hump in the slab, old thin-set left in ridges — that's what makes tile crack, lip, or sound hollow. We demo and we prep so the install has something solid to bond to.
We demo the old tile, set cement board, patch and flatten the floor, and leave a solid base the new tile can bond to. If we open a wall and find damage, we stop and show you before anything gets covered.
What Demo & Prep Includes
Sometimes prep is the whole visit. Sometimes it's day one of a shower or a floor.
Tile & Thin-Set Removal
Old tile comes off, and so does the thin-set. A 'mostly clean' wall still telegraphs ridges through new tile. We scrape to a surface we can actually set on.
Backer Board
Cement board on walls that will see water, fastened on the layout the manufacturer wants, with seams taped, so the tile has a solid base.
Floor Flattening
Fillers and patches to take out lows and feather highs before large-format tile goes down. If the slab needs more than a patch, we'll say so before we price the tile.
Uncoupling Membrane
A membrane between the slab and the tile so minor crack movement stays out of the grout. We use it on floors that are solid and ready for tile.
Shower Tear-Outs
Demo of the old shower down to the studs or the subfloor when the pan or the backer is worn out. We rebuild that surface so the new tile has something solid to bond to.
Haul-Away
Demo debris leaves with us unless we agree otherwise. You'll know before we start whether haul-away is in the price.
Our Installation Process
We protect the house, take out what has to go, and leave a surface we can stand behind.
Free On-Site Estimate
We look at what's there and what's under it, as much as we can without opening the wall. The estimate separates demo and prep from the tile install so you can see both.
Protect the Space
Floors get covered on the path out. We contain the dust, and vents and doorways get attention before the first tile comes off.
Remove the Old Finish
Tile, mortar, and failed underlayment come out. We keep an eye out for soft wood, old leaks, and backer that was never fastened. You see it before it gets buried.
Repair the Substrate
New backer where it's needed, patches in the floor, seams treated, and high spots knocked down. The goal is a flat, solid, clean surface the new tile can sit on.
Ready for Tile
When prep is part of a larger job, we move straight into waterproofing or setting. When prep is all you hired us for, we leave the surface ready for the next step and walk you through what's left.
What We Prep For
Prep is matched to the tile that's going on it. Big tile and stone ask more of the floor than a small ceramic.
The standard wall backer for wet areas. Fastened, gapped, and taped to the board's layout.
Floor patch for localized lows, and self-leveler when a whole area has to come up to flat.
A crack-isolation layer for slabs that move a little. Not a substitute for fixing a broken floor.
Walls and pans taken to the point where KERDI or a liquid membrane can go on and actually bond.
Squeaks, loose sheets, and deflection get called out. Tile doesn't fix a bouncy floor. We'll tell you if the structure needs work first.
Sometimes a sound, flat tile floor can stay as a base. We test it. If it drums or rocks, it comes out.
Common Questions
Do you haul the old tile away?
Yes, when it's in the estimate. Demo creates a lot of weight fast. We'll price haul-away up front instead of leaving a pile in the driveway.
How dusty is a tear-out?
Honestly, it's dusty. We cover paths, keep doors closed, and clean up the work area when we're done. If someone in the house is sensitive to dust, tell us before we schedule so we can plan the containment.
Can you just tile over what's there?
Only if what's there is solid, bonded, and flat enough for the new tile. We'll say yes or no on site. Covering a failure is how you pay for the same job twice.
What if you find water damage?
We stop and show you. You'll see the studs, the subfloor, and what we found, and we'll walk through the repair before tile goes back on.
Is prep covered by the warranty?
Substrate we install and tile we set over it are covered by our 2-year workmanship warranty.
When can you come out for an estimate?
Estimates are available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 10am to 4pm Arizona time. Book a time on the site and we'll come look at the job in person before we put a number together.
Ready to Get Started?
Book a free on-site estimate. We'll come out, see the space, and put together a detailed quote — no pressure, no commitment.