Licensed residential builder specializing in code-compliant bathroom renovations
WTS II Contracting is a licensed Michigan residential builder specializing in bathroom remodeling throughout St. Joseph, utilizing Schluter-Kerdi waterproofing systems and working directly with the City of St. Joseph Inspections Department to ensure all plumbing, electrical, and structural work meets or exceeds Michigan Building Code. Our expertise in renovating St. Joseph's 1920s–1970s housing stock—including complete removal of corroded galvanized steel piping and cast iron stacks—ensures your bathroom remodel passes inspection and performs reliably for decades.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Permit Jurisdiction | City of St. Joseph (or Lincoln Charter Township depending on address) |
| Plumbing Code | Michigan Plumbing Code (IPC based) |
| Waterproofing Standard | ANSI A118.10 (Schluter-Kerdi or RedGard systems required) |
| Common Age of Homes | 1920s–1970s (Requires lead/asbestos awareness, galvanized pipe replacement) |
| Estimated Timeline | 3–5 weeks (full gut renovation with permit inspections) |
| Typical Project Cost | $18,000–$35,000 (licensed trades, code-compliant materials) |
Many St. Joseph homes built before 1970 still utilize galvanized steel supply lines and cast iron drain stacks. Galvanized pipe corrodes from the inside out—restricting water flow, causing pressure drops, and eventually rupturing inside walls. Homeowners often don't realize their plumbing is failing until they open walls during a remodel and discover severely corroded pipes that are decades past their service life.
WTS II Contracting replaces all galvanized steel and cast iron plumbing with PEX-A (Uponor) piping systems, which are flexible, freeze-resistant, and carry a 25-year warranty. Unlike PEX-B, PEX-A expands and contracts without bursting during freeze events—critical for Michigan's harsh winters. We route supply lines through conditioned spaces and away from exterior walls to prevent freeze damage.
St. Joseph's proximity to Lake Michigan creates year-round moisture challenges. Lake effect humidity in summer combined with cold winters means bathrooms without proper ventilation develop mold, peeling paint, and wood rot in attic spaces above.
We install Panasonic WhisperCeiling exhaust fans sized appropriately for bathroom square footage (minimum 50 CFM for standard bathrooms, 80+ CFM for larger master baths). Critically, we vent these fans through the roof—not into soffits. Soffit venting allows moisture to recirculate into attic spaces, causing mold growth on roof sheathing. Proper roof venting expels moisture completely outside the building envelope.
Historic St. Joseph homes often have bathroom subfloors that have been wet for decades. Previous tile installations without waterproofing membranes allowed water to penetrate into joists, causing rot, sagging floors, and insect damage. We sister new joists where necessary, replace rotted subfloor sections, and install Schluter-Ditra uncoupling membranes before tile to prevent future water damage.
Michigan Plumbing Code requires toilet flanges to be installed with the centerline 15 inches from any finished wall surface. DIY remodelers frequently rough-in toilets at 12 inches (the standard flange distance from the framing), forgetting to account for drywall and tile thickness. The result: toilets installed too close to walls, making them uncomfortable to use and failing final inspection.
Additionally, toilets must have 21 inches of clearance in front of the bowl and 15 inches to either side from the centerline. We verify these clearances during rough-in before walls are closed up—preventing costly demo and rework after tile is installed.
Moisture-resistant drywall (greenboard) is not sufficient for shower surrounds and will fail inspection in St. Joseph. Greenboard resists moisture but is not waterproof—water eventually penetrates through grout joints and causes the paper facing to delaminate and mold.
WTS II Contracting uses Schluter-Kerdi waterproofing systems or Durock cement board with RedGard liquid membrane to create a sealed waterproof envelope behind all tile. These systems meet ANSI A118.10 waterproofing standards and are required for shower installations to pass inspection. The City of St. Joseph Building Department will not approve a shower installation without inspecting the waterproofing layer before tile installation. If you tile first, you'll be tearing it out.
The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires GFCI protection on all bathroom outlets within approximately 6 feet of water sources (sinks, tubs, showers). This includes outlets for hair dryers, electric toothbrushes, and any receptacle near the vanity.
Additionally, bathrooms require dedicated 20-amp circuits—you cannot tap into existing bedroom or hallway circuits to power bathroom outlets or lighting. DIY electrical work frequently violates these requirements, creating fire hazards and failing inspection. Electrical violations aren't just code failures; they put your family at risk of electrocution and fire.
We use contractor-grade materials that meet or exceed Michigan Building Code requirements:
Yes. Any bathroom remodeling project in St. Joseph that involves plumbing changes, electrical work, or structural modifications requires a permit from the City of St. Joseph Inspections Department (or Lincoln Charter Township Building Department, depending on your address). This includes moving fixtures, installing new plumbing, adding electrical circuits, or relocating walls. Permits ensure work meets Michigan Building Code and protects your investment. Unpermitted work can result in fines, forced removal of completed work, and difficulty selling your home when the lack of permits appears on inspection reports.
A full gut bathroom renovation in St. Joseph with licensed trades typically costs $18,000–$35,000. This includes complete plumbing replacement (removing galvanized steel and installing PEX-A systems), electrical upgrades with dedicated 20-amp circuits, Schluter-Kerdi waterproofing, quality tile installation with epoxy grout, and contractor-grade fixtures. Historic homes often cost more due to unexpected issues like rotted framing, asbestos tile removal, or outdated electrical panels requiring upgrades. Partial renovations (vanity replacement, fixture updates) start around $5,000–$8,000 but don't address underlying plumbing or structural issues common in older St. Joseph homes.
Not recommended, especially in older St. Joseph homes. Tiling over existing floors creates problematic height transitions at doorways, hides potential subfloor rot (common in homes built before 1980), and adds weight to floor joists that may already be compromised. Additionally, many pre-1980 homes have asbestos-containing floor tiles that should be properly removed and disposed of rather than encapsulated. We remove old flooring to inspect and repair subfloor damage, install Schluter-Ditra uncoupling membranes to prevent future cracking, and ensure proper floor height relationships with adjacent rooms. This approach prevents callbacks and ensures your new bathroom performs reliably for decades.
WTS II Contracting also serves surrounding communities. Learn about our bathroom remodeling services in:
Get a detailed estimate from a licensed Michigan residential builder. We handle permits, inspections, and code compliance—so your bathroom passes inspection the first time and performs reliably for decades.
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