When real estate investors and homeowners considered the bathtub an essential feature, Gone are. Of course, the bathtub offers extremely relaxing, warm, and bubbly baths that let you take away depression and stress. However, showers are much more convenient, quicker, and flexible to use by different age groups. Replacing bathtubs with a shower has been the center of most remodeling plans, with now many people opting for a walk-in shower that's more practical for daily activities. The article focuses on different methods of replacing bathtubs with showers and the procedure involved.

Scrape The Tub and Install a Shower

Tearing out the entire bathtub and building a new shower is the first option to update your bathroom. Of course, an expert may come in handy to handle such a mess. So call a contractor to that effect to lay out the perfect plan and advise on the necessary materials and designs.

You will have a huge space to design your new shower but ensure you add tiles on the floor to eliminate chances of water spilling off the bathroom. If you got a small bathroom, make sure to play with the available space to cater to the new shower's necessary needs. For instance, you may wish to install shower doors that aren't necessary. During the installation of shower doors, aim to make room for doors to swing without hitting sinks and the toilet. Worthy to note is to ensure that your bathroom is kept dry and warm by effectively adding hanging curtains or a heated floor.

Retrofit the Existing Bathroom

When converting a bathtub to a shower, you don't need to scrap everything and start afresh. You can significantly save a lot by retrofitting the existing bathroom and coming up with a shower-tub unit. However, this method requires opening up the adjacent room to cater to shower installation. Consider building tiles all over the shower walls to create a durable barrier since water offers fertile ground for elements of wear and tear. With an expert in place, you can discuss other necessary measures which suit your lifestyle and the prevailing situation, given they are all within your budget. Those are the main options you got when converting your bathtub to a shower. Regardless of which method you choose, ensure you effectively install the necessary luxurious and auxiliary elements to enable your bathroom to present a spacious feeling.

Some people may opt to replace a tub with a shower. It usually takes two days to convert a tub to a shower; however, depending on the size, the input, and other logistics. Which components do you need to achieve that?

Secure Remodeling Permits

In some municipalities, replacing tubs with a shower requires government authorization like permits and close inspections. It's therefore crucial to always liaise with the respective authority in your area to confirm agency information.

Turn off Water Supply

To avoid water spillages damaging floors, shutting off the water supply is crucial at the beginning of the project. It's your responsibility to decide which valve to shut off, either within the branch shut-off valves or at the interconnection of supply lines with the tub faucet. Alternatively, shutting off the home's main water supply may be effective.

Scrap off the Wall Surfaces

After turning off the water supply, use an appropriate tool to remove wall surfaces around the tub. A pry bar comes in handy when tearing out the entire fiberglass tub surround. Carefully align yourself with the necessary protection measures against external elements by wearing eye and hearing protection devices.

A hammer may be of great use during the entire demolitions, but it all depends on the type of materials used to build the tub.

Remove the Bathtub

Removing the entire bathtub can be tiresome if used a heavy cast-iron tub. Contrary, acrylic and fiberglass materials build a relatively lighter tub. You can start by removing screws, nails, and brackets from the walls while thoroughly cleaning the area to ensure you leave a neat spot.

Service the Remnant Walls

In most cases, the exposed area tends to be disgusting due to the wear and tear over time. Hence, the need to inspect the condition of the walls and fix some of the studs with light carpentry.

Install the Shower Pan

By carefully following the shower pan’s manual, install the shower pan within the position of the drain pipe riser.

Connect the Shower Drain

Follow the manufacturer's instructions to attach the shower pan's drain fitting firmly. Here, care should ensure a watertight fitting, eliminating future water spillages to other room parts.

Attach the Faucet Handle and Showerhead

The main aim is to attach the showerhead, the faucet handle, and the escutcheon plates since the faucet body and showerhead arm are purchased while installed together. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to complete the installation and then apply a bead of silicone caulk around the escutcheon plates to prevent future water leakages.

Install the Shower Door

Installing the shower door will ultimately depend on the preferred type of door. From swing-out to sliding model door, ensure you adhere to the manufacturer’s directions.

Test the Shower

Once you are done with all installations in different areas, it's time to test your shower. But not so fast. Inspect all vulnerable joints and seal them with caulk to prevent water leakages. The user manual will provide details on specific areas to apply the caulk.

Conclusion

Many homeowners face the dilemma that replacing a bathtub with the value of a shower devalues their homes. Well, it all depends on the prospective buyers. For instance, families with kids may value a bathtub more than showers. Therefore, leave at least one tub in the house if you have two and would like to maintain your house's premium value.

Alternatively, you can replace your tub with a shower for personal reasons and contact a contractor to install one tub solely to increase the resale value. You can also access luxury home remodeling services that encompass a wide range of offerings, including home remodeling, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, luxury bathroom remodeling, small bathroom remodeling, outdoor patio construction, and much more.

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