Expert tile installation for bathrooms, showers, floors, and backsplashes in Plano, TX and Collin County. Precise layout, proper waterproofing, clean grout lines. Free quotes.
Cracked tiles? Grout so discolored no amount of scrubbing fixes it? Water creeping under the substrate? These problems compound fast. Get a professional assessment before the damage gets worse.
Tile is the most technically demanding finish trade in residential construction — and the one where poor installation fails fastest. Hollow spots, cracked grout, water behind walls, uneven lippage on large-format tile — these aren't cosmetic problems, they're installation failures. HAWC General Contracting installs tile the right way: proper substrate, right mortar for the application, clean lines, and grout that holds. We've completed 200+ tile projects across Plano, Allen, Frisco, and the surrounding Collin County area.
The most common tile failures in North Texas homes come from four sources: insufficient mortar coverage, inadequate waterproofing behind shower walls, subfloor deflection, and grout that was sealed improperly (or not at all). Each one is completely preventable with the right materials and technique.
Mortar coverage: The industry standard is 80% back-coverage on floor tile and 95% in wet areas like showers. Most rushed installations fall well below this threshold, which creates hollow spots that crack under normal foot traffic. We use the right trowel size for each tile format and back-butter large format tiles when necessary to achieve full coverage.
Waterproofing: For showers, the waterproofing membrane is everything. Whether we're using cement board with a topical membrane (RedGard, Hydro Ban) or a foam shower system (like Schluter Kerdi), the goal is the same: no path for water to reach framing, insulation, or drywall. We test the system before any tile goes on the walls.
Subfloor deflection: Bathroom and kitchen floors need a rigid substrate — L/360 deflection maximum. In older Plano homes, bouncy subfloors cause grout cracking within the first year regardless of tile quality. We address deflection before installation, not after the tile fails.
Grout sealing: All cement-based grout should be sealed within 72 hours of cure and re-sealed annually in wet areas. We provide care instructions with every project and seal at installation as a standard step.
The DFW housing market has a strong preference for porcelain tile, and for good reason. Porcelain's low absorption rate (typically less than 0.5%) makes it nearly immune to the moisture cycling that North Texas humidity creates. It handles the temperature swings between our summer heat and occasional winter freezes without issue. And the range of styles available — from classic white subway to large-format wood-look planks — covers every design direction a homeowner might want.
Ceramic tile is a solid choice for dry areas (backsplashes, accent walls) where the absorption rate matters less. Natural stone — marble, travertine, slate — offers a look that porcelain can't fully replicate, but requires proper sealing and slightly more maintenance. We provide honest guidance on which material fits your application, your lifestyle, and your maintenance tolerance.
For showers specifically, we typically recommend matte or textured tile for floors (slip resistance), and either large-format porcelain or polished stone for walls depending on the design direction. The combination of low-grout-line floors with a statement wall tile is the most popular choice we install right now across Collin County.
Every tile project starts with a site visit and measurement — not a phone estimate. The site visit lets us see the substrate, check for existing moisture damage, and confirm the layout and pattern direction. We bring tile boards and material samples so you can see the finish in your actual lighting conditions before we order anything.
Once materials are selected and on-site, a typical bathroom floor installation takes 2–3 days: substrate prep day one, tile set day two, grout and seal day three. A full shower rebuild (demo through grouted tile) is typically 4–6 days depending on the detail work involved. Kitchen backsplashes are usually 1–2 days.
We protect adjacent surfaces, contain dust during demo, and leave the job site clean every day. Tile installation is messy work — that's unavoidable — but a well-organized crew contains the mess to the work area rather than spreading it through the house.
Not every tile problem requires tearing out the entire floor or shower. When the field is structurally sound — no hollow spots, no substrate failure — replacing individual cracked or chipped tiles is a cost-effective repair. We match existing tile by manufacturer, series, and color when possible, and use correct techniques to blend new and existing grout.
Regrouting is another high-value repair option when the tile itself is in good shape but grout has deteriorated or stained. We remove existing grout mechanically (not with a grout saw that can chip tile edges), re-grout in the same color or a refreshed alternative, and seal the finished work properly.
The honest answer to "repair or replace" depends on what's behind the tile as much as what's on the surface. If the waterproofing has failed in a shower, or the subfloor is moving, repair is a temporary fix. We tell you that before we start, not after you've paid for work that doesn't last.
Grout cracks come from three sources: subfloor movement, insufficient mortar coverage creating hollow spots, and using grout in movement joints that should be caulked. We address substrate deflection before installation, verify mortar coverage, and use caulk at all changes of plane and expansion joints.
Porcelain is denser and has a lower water absorption rate (under 0.5% vs. ceramic's 3%+), making it better for wet areas and exterior applications. For North Texas bathrooms and showers, porcelain is our standard recommendation. Ceramic works well for dry areas like backsplashes where absorption matters less.
Sometimes — if the existing tile is fully bonded (no hollow spots), the height increase works with doors and transitions, and the subfloor can handle the added weight. We assess this case by case. Often demo is the better choice because it lets us inspect and address the substrate properly.
Standard cement grout needs 72 hours before water exposure. We seal immediately after cure and recommend waiting 24 hours after sealing before first use. We provide specific care instructions with every project.
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Learn moreNo surprises. No handoffs. One accountable team from day one.
In-home visit, real assessment, written pricing. No vague ballparks that double once demo starts.
Tile, fixtures, vanity, finishes — every choice locked in before demo. You know exactly what you're getting.
Our crew handles every phase — demo, waterproofing, tile, plumbing, finish work. One team, start to finish.
You review the completed work with us. If anything isn't right, we fix it before we leave.
In-home visit, real assessment, written pricing. No vague ballparks that double once demo starts.
Tile, fixtures, vanity, finishes — every choice locked in before demo. You know exactly what you're getting.
Our crew handles every phase — demo, waterproofing, tile, plumbing, finish work. One team, start to finish.
You review the completed work with us. If anything isn't right, we fix it before we leave.
HAWC General Contracting serves Plano and surrounding North Texas communities. Call (469) 975-5203 — same-day response, honest pricing, no obligation.
