Integrity Tile and Home

Seriously, guys, if I could go back in time and whisper five questions to my younger self before I hired 'Tile Tommy' (long story, awful outcome), I would. Tile installation is not like painting a room. You can’t just redo it cheaply. Once it’s down, if it’s wrong, you’re talking about demolition, busted waterproofing, dust everywhere, and easily twice the original cost. Ugh. We’ve all been there, or know someone who has. So, listen to your friend (that’s me!) who learned this the hard way. When you’re frantically searching for tile flooring installation near me , stop. Slow down. Put your candidates through the ringer with these five essential questions. 1. "Can you walk me through your waterproofing method for the shower base/walls?" This is the non-negotiable, single most important question you will ask. If you’re tiling a floor, this is about subfloor flatness . If you’re tiling a shower , this is about keeping your house from slowly rotting. I'm telling you...

 Look, my name is Mike. I run a plumbing outfit right here in town, and I’m exhausted. It’s October, which means I’m trying to pre-emptively save half of Martinsburg from itself before that first real cold snap hits. Seriously, if I could sit every single person down on their own kitchen stool and show them three simple things, my emergency call volume would drop by 80%. This isn't a manual. This is just a candid chat about the stuff that actually matters, the stuff that separates a homeowner from a homeowner who’s about to have a very bad, very expensive Tuesday. ❄️ The Big One: Winterizing Your Exterior (Stop Ignoring the Hose!) Let's just start with the frozen pipes, because every single year, someone calls me up hysterical, saying their wall is suddenly weeping, and I know exactly why. It’s the hose bibb . That outside faucet. If you leave your hose attached when the temperature drops below freezing—and you know it will here in the Panhandle—the water is trapped in that sho...

 Look, I’m just going to say it: tiny bathrooms are the worst. They’re usually dark, you can’t turn around without hitting the sink, and storage? Forget about it. It’s a guaranteed morning-rush stress-fest. But here’s the good news—because the space is so small, you can actually throw some money at high-impact items and make it feel utterly luxurious without bankrupting yourself. It’s all about optical illusions and brutal efficiency. We're not doing a full-scale home improvement bathroom remodel here; we're just making that small box work . The Great Grout Line Conspiracy Let’s start with the floor, because that’s the first thing that visually chops up a small space. You know how when you look at a wall of subway tile, all those little grout lines make it look busy? Same thing happens on your floor, only worse. Every tiny tile says, "STOP! HERE IS THE END OF THE ROOM!" Go Big on the Tiles, People! My number one trick? Large format tiles. I’m talking big squares or ...

Alright, real talk—plumbing problems can totally throw a wrench in your day (pun intended). I don’t know about you, but I’ve had my share of random leaks, weird noises, and clogged drains that popped up out of nowhere. And if you’re living in Martinsburg, WV, finding an affordable plumber Martinsburg who shows up on time and doesn’t charge an arm and a leg can sometimes feel like hunting for a unicorn. But here’s the thing: most plumbing messes? They don’t just happen overnight. You can stop a lot of them before they turn into full-blown disasters with just some simple preventative stuff. I’m talking about the kind of tips that plumbers in Martinsburg WV will tell you if you ask nicely. Watch Out for Those Sneaky Leaks Leaks are the worst. You might hear a drip and think, “Eh, it’s just a drop here and there.” But those little leaks add up, wasting water and slowly wrecking your walls or floors. Trust me, I learned this the hard way. Peek under your sinks and around your toilets ...

Let’s be honest for a second—most homes could use a little facelift. Maybe the bathroom tile is chipped. Maybe the kitchen floor creaks when you walk across it. Or maybe the plumbing under the sink has been just barely hanging on for the last year. You don’t have to gut your entire house to make it feel fresh again. Small upgrades, when done right, can make a huge difference. And that’s where experienced tile and flooring contractors come in—especially if you’re working with a team that knows the ins and outs of both flooring and plumbing. We’ve been at this a long time here at Integrity Tile and Home, and we’ve seen what a few well-planned changes can do for a space. If you’re wondering how to breathe new life into your home—without breaking the bank—read on. Start with the Floors (Because They Set the Whole Tone) It’s funny—people usually focus on paint colors or furniture first. But your floors? They’re the foundation of the room’s entire vibe. Old vinyl flooring, mismatched tiles, ...

Let’s be real—most people don’t think much about tile or plumbing until something breaks, leaks, or looks so outdated they can’t stand it anymore. We get it. You're busy. And tackling home improvements? That’s no small task. Whether it’s the bathroom floor that’s starting to crack or a kitchen upgrade you’ve been putting off for five years (hey, no judgment), one thing's for sure—you want it done right, and you want it to last. We’ve been doing this a long time here at Integrity Tile and Home, and if you’re looking for real-world tips from seasoned tile and flooring contractors in Martinsburg , you’re in the right place. Here’s what we wish more people knew before they dove into their home projects. 1. Slow Down and Think Ahead (Yes, Really) Not trying to sound like your mom here, but if you jump in without a plan… you’re probably gonna regret it. We’ve seen folks tear out an old floor without even checking if the subfloor’s level. Or buy tile that looks great online, but turns...