The water created a hole in the drywall in one spot of the ceiling no more than 10 inches at the largest point.

They recommend at least a 1/4 inch on all side to allow for the expansion during hot weather.

It's sort of a "keep your enemies closer" thing...I have always worked to ensure that the HOA does not become one of those HOAs you read about in the paper...telling people that their house is the wrong shade of white or that their grass is a sixteenth of an inch too high.But, I do think HOAs serve some purpose with respect to maintaining aesthetics.

We used plastic sheeting under the tile and wrapped it up on studs before sheet rock a few inches forming a water proof barrier, no way could water get the the down stairs ceiling from water on the floor.

IE cut away the damaged portion plus a few inches and splice in new material, caulk any exterior joint.

I still use a standard reel tape measure - when it's a game played in half inches you need the accuracy.

If you place tile under the island, and not the cabinets, keep in mind you could have two counter levels.I don't think this is anyway unique, and you have several options to regain or adapt to get the vertical clearance.Check the linoleum, often it is placed on top of a quarter inch subfloor.

A few more inches and that kid would have been thrown onto that brick plantar.

I am not finished with the entire bathroom remodel but there is a 1/16 inch gap between the tile and fiberglass which can easily be sealed up with silicone. thanks for checking out my work

I was thinking of getting a few inched of concrete poured over everything.