If the water marks are higher than the ground outside, that means the water is coming from higher up. If the gutters are clogged (even two floors up), that could certainly be the source Heavy rain will find it's way behind the fascia, especially without a drip edge under the edge of the roof) and can end up in the basement. Check with a flashlight if your basement ceiling joists are wet in that area to confirm this. Water can also come from a window well that doesn't drain properly. During the next deluge, see if water comes up to the window. If so, it surely is coming through the window frame. From the looks of it, wall to wall carpet is a bad idea in your situation. Some options are remnants (paint..after proper prep... whatever doesn't get covered by the rug.) or tile. The last thing you want it deal with wall to wall that gets soaked along with the pad - that's a nightmare. It's hard enough dealing with a wet remnant, but much more tolerable.

I had a horrible experience with having Mosaic House tile installed. Make sure your contractor absolutely knows what they are doing and watch that they are installing correctly. Find out what brands and types of products they are using. It matters! Tile was stained during construction (and scratched). They did not know how to apply the Protex Sealant and the correct order to grout, so there were additionally brushstrokes and grout stains. I now am spending more money and weeks more time trying to fix the job. I have hired someone who refurbishes tile and marble all over NYC. After numerous tests he has not been able to get the stains out. **Protex has an incredibly strong toxic smell. I am not sensitive to this. But If you live in an apartment building make sure this is OK. All my neighbors were concerned.

I'm updating my bathroom with a new white tub, tile floor, new gray & white cultured marble tub surround and vanity top. The walls will be Sherwin-Williams Alabaster. To save money I'm keeping the vanity and over-the-toilet cabinet which are both stained dark brown, but I want to lighten them. Originally I was going to paint them white, but then decided I wanted more contrast. I thought of gray, and then got the idea of going for a driftwood look, but am not sure how to achieve it. Maybe using a medium gray flat base, and then a watered down white or lighter gray rolled on and wiped off? Followed by a couple of coats of polyurethane? Help!

https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/homeowners-guide-to-hiring-qualified-tile Never install tile backer until the tub is in place, properly leveled and permanantly installed. Should have been shimmed properly. The easy path if you still want to move forward DIY is to remove the cement board and wet shim Kerdi board. Or USG. Or another foam based board that comes already waterproofed.