Tile is the pretty 10%. This page is about the dry 90%.
Every failed surround we tear out in Cromwell tells the same story: decent tile over drywall, greenboard, or mastic that re-emulsified years ago. The tile did not fail — the wall behind it dissolved. Our rebuilds assume water WILL get past grout eventually, and manage it: cement board that doesn't swell, a bonded membrane on every wet surface, sealed fasteners, and silicone — never grout — at every corner and tub joint.
In Cromwell we photograph every membrane coat with that day's date: Cromwell's 80s subdivisions are all hitting surround age at once — the same yellowed unit in fifty houses on one street. Dry walls are a system, not a material — and the system is what our workmanship stands on.
Surround tile we set most in Cromwell — each suits different baths and budgets.
Cement board substrate, bonded membrane over all wet surfaces, sealed fasteners and penetrations, and 100% silicone at every change of plane. Photographed before tile covers it.
No — moisture-resistant drywall still fails under chronic wetting. Most Cromwell tear-outs we do are greenboard autopsies. We never tile over it.
All work when installed to spec; the installer matters more than the brand. We use sheet membrane in showers and paint-on for tub surrounds, per manufacturer coverage rates.
Our workmanship warranty covers the assembly we build — substrate, membrane, joints and seals. The quote states terms plainly; no weasel words.