Where a Second Bathroom Can Fit in a Mahncke Park Bungalow
Most bungalows here were built with one bath off the hall between the bedrooms. Families and roommates outgrow that fast. The good news is that many of these houses have a spot that can take a small second bath: a deep hall closet beside the existing bath, an enclosed back porch, or a corner of a back bedroom near the kitchen plumbing.
The closer the new room sits to existing drains, the less it costs. A powder room with a toilet and a small sink fits in about the footprint of a generous closet. A shower adds a few more square feet and a bigger drain. We sketch a couple of options on the first visit so you can see what each one gives up.
Rebuilding the Only Bath in the House, Step by Step
When there’s one bathroom, the schedule is as important as the design. If a second bath is part of the plan, we usually build that one first so the house is never without a toilet. If not, we order every fixture and tile before demolition so the room is out of service as briefly as possible. Here’s how a small bath rebuild runs in an older bungalow.
- Confirm every fixture, tile and the vanity is on site or ready to ship
- Set up a temporary toilet and plan where you’ll shower
- Demolish down to the studs and joists and inspect the framing
- Replace old supply and drain lines from the crawlspace
- Waterproof the wet areas, then set tile and grout
- Install fixtures, test everything and seal the grout
Pier-and-Beam Floors: The Upside and the Catch
Many Mahncke Park homes sit on piers with a crawlspace underneath, which makes plumbing easier than on a slab. Drains can move without cutting concrete, and new lines can run under the house. The catch is that crawlspace pipes are exposed to cold, and San Antonio does get the occasional hard freeze. We insulate new supply lines under the floor as part of the job.
Tile needs a stiff floor, and old joists aren’t always stiff. We look for sag and old notches before anyone picks large tile.
- Insulate any supply line that runs through the crawlspace
- Add blocking or sister joists under a new tile floor if it flexes
- Check for old termite or moisture damage near the tub before setting tile
- Keep crawlspace vents clear so the area under the bath stays dry
Small Kitchens That Suit a Small House
Bungalow kitchens in Mahncke Park are compact, usually with a window over the sink and a door to the backyard. A small kitchen remodel here is about fitting more into the same walls: cabinets to the ceiling, a narrower range or a counter-depth fridge, and a corner that finally works. We keep original windows and trim where they’re sound, since they’re part of why people choose these streets.
Narrow lots and street parking near Broadway mean we plan deliveries and the dumpster around neighbors' driveways. If you’re comparing ideas with friends in Alamo Heights, keep in mind that Mahncke Park is inside San Antonio, so permits go through the city’s Development Services Department.
Remodels we do most in Mahncke Park
Small Bathroom Remodel
In a 5-by-8 bathroom, the door swing, the vanity depth and the shower curtain rod all compete for the same few feet. We remodel small baths by solving those conflicts first, then making the room feel larger with light and finish choices.
Powder Room Remodel
A powder room is the one bathroom almost every guest uses, and it’s small enough that a bold idea doesn’t break the budget. We remodel half baths with personality, without forgetting the practical details.
Bathroom Tile Installation
Good tile work is mostly preparation. Flat walls, a proper waterproof layer, and movement joints where the slab will shift decide whether a bathroom floor or shower stays crack free. We spend our time there, then set the tile carefully.
Small Kitchen Remodel
A small kitchen forgives nothing. Two inches of clearance decide whether the dishwasher and the oven can open at the same time, so we design compact kitchens around movement first and finishes second.
Toilet Replacement
A toilet that rocks, runs all night, or leaves a stain at its base is telling you something about the seal and the floor below. We swap the fixture and fix what’s underneath so the new one stays put.
Close to Mahncke Park
Alamo Heights (78209)
1920s to 1940s cottages, Tudors and revivals. Galvanized supply lines and undersized kitchen circuits.
Government Hill (78208)
Early 1900s cottages, bungalows and newer infill. Rotted bathroom subfloor and aging pipes.
Tobin Hill (78212)
1900s to 1930s bungalows, cottages and duplexes. One small bath and narrow galley kitchens.
Terrell Hills (78209)
1940s to 1960s traditional and ranch homes. Kitchen closed off from family room and yard.
Mahncke Park remodeling questions
Can you add a second bathroom to a one-bath Mahncke Park bungalow?
Often, yes. The usual candidates are a closet beside the current bath, an enclosed back porch or a corner of a back bedroom. Pier-and-beam construction helps because new drains can run through the crawlspace. We look at where the existing plumbing runs and show you which spot gives the most bathroom for the money.
How do I shower while my only Mahncke Park bathroom is being remodeled?
Owners usually stay with family, use a gym or rent a short stay for the wet stretch of the job. We order everything before demolition to keep that window short, and we give you the dates when the shower is out of service. If a second bath is in the plan, we build it first so you always have one working.
Do Mahncke Park pier-and-beam homes need floor leveling before new tile?
Not always, but we check every time. Tile cracks on a floor that bounces, so we test for flex and sag in the bathroom and kitchen. Small issues are fixed with blocking or sister joists from below. If the house has settled more broadly, we tell you and suggest having the foundation looked at before tile goes down.