Infographic: Converting A Tub into A Shower

Other than the sink, cabinet, and toilet, the shower is a highly valued feature of a bathroom. However, some bathrooms only have a bathtub. If you don’t have a shower in your bathroom, you must know – it offers several benefits; thus, commanding a higher resale value upon sale.

For some homeowners, converting a tub into a shower is a challenging project – it touches on many facets of bathroom remodeling, such as demolition, plumbing, flooring, drywall, insulation, and general carpentry. Regardless of its complexity, this is an investment that pays off after the dust is settled.

Here are the ways on how you can convert your tub into a shower.

Materials

Here are some of the materials you need for converting your bathtub into a shower.

• • Plywood
  • Screwdriver
  • Wrench and Allen wrench
  • Putty and utility knife
  • Drywall or reciprocating saw
  • Prybar
  • Jigsaw

Renting a 10-yard dumpster is a necessity during this project because of the bathroom renovation waste that might be left on your lot since many cities do not accept tiles, drywall, and other related debris for curbside pickup.

Determine Spacing and Placement

If you wish to convert your bathtub to a walk-in shower, always consider these specifications. Moving to plumb will also add to the costs of the project.

• • 30 x 30 inches floor space
  • At least 80 inches bathroom height
  • 15 inches between the side of the toilet and shower wall
  • Door-width space around the shower if you plan to install a swinging door

Decide for Walk-in Shower Design

Choose whether you like a curbed or a curbless shower for your bathroom. Both could be good additions for your bathroom. Curbed showers are considered the most popular walk-in shower because of its affordability. On the other hand, a curbless shower is needed for families with members with disabilities; that is why they cost more than curbed ones, but this is also a great choice for your bathroom.

Remove Tiles and Wall Sections

This may be a tricky part, but you have to remove the tile and drywall surrounding your bathtub to get rid of the tub itself. In doing so, follow these steps:

1. Cover the floor with plywood to prevent tile damage.

2. Turn off the water to the bathroom at your home’s main water shut-off valve.

3. Unscrew the drain cover, overflow drain cover, and faucet knobs. Pull the faucet from the tub, using an Allen wrench to loosen any screws.

4. Disconnect the main and overflow drains from the access panel behind your tub or your basement. Use a wrench to turn the locking nuts counterclockwise.

5. Remove the tile around the tub to a height of about 8 inches by scoring the grout with a utility knife, then prying the tiles off with a putty knife.

6. Cut through the drywall with a drywall saw, being careful not to cut into any studs. If your wall is plaster, use a reciprocating saw for this step.

Remove the Bathtub

To remove your bathtub, follow these steps

1. Remove any nails or screws attaching the tub to wall studs.

2. Use a utility knife to cut through any caulk between the tub and the floor.

3. Use a prybar to pry the tub a few inches away from the wall.

4. Working with a helper, use your pry bar to pry up one end of the tub and maneuver it upright. Ensure it will fit through your doors this way first.

 5. Alternatively, cut through the middle of the container with a jigsaw to separate it into two pieces. Pry each piece up and maneuver them until you can slide the tub out of its space.

6. Toss the old tub into your rented dumpster, then repair the drywall you cut away.

Once you have done all these steps, you are now ready to install your shower. Follow the instructions on your shower kit and lower the floor of the shower area so the shower pan will have the same flush as the bathroom floor.

Afterward, clean your bathroom by disposing of all the drywall and tile remnants on the dumpster. If you ever need any help, do not hesitate to call your bathroom contractor.

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