Remodeling Your Bathrooms
Today,most homeowners opt for having a shower rather than a tub in their bathroom. One of the reasons is that only a few homes today come with tub-only bathrooms as a result it resells for a lower value.
Also,as recommended by the aging-in-place movement,having a shower is most recommended for those who are elderly for easier access when taking a bath. This is because bathtub aprons which have a minimum height of 15 inches can be too high for many people.
Due to these reasons,many are now considering replacing their bathtub with a shower in their bathroom. Though the process may seem difficult,it is actually quite easy once you have learned some guide and tips. In this article,we’ll discuss how to easily replace your old tubs with a shower.
Method for Replacing Your Bathtubs
There are two methods that are involved in replacing your bathtub and turning them into a shower room and that is:
- Augmenting with a showerhead
- Complete Replacement
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Augmenting by Adding a Showerhead
Augmentation is only applicable to bathtubs that have a lower tub faucet and controls but has no upper showerhead installed to them. The bathtub remains in its original place and is not interchanged by a shower pan. The walls that surround it also remain the same.
To expose the bathtub controls,the outer covering or canvas must be removed whether it is surrounded by a tile or solid wall. To do this,you must locate it then break it using a hammer. This is usually done to replace and change it with the new controls of the showerhead.
These new controls usually consist of an attached copper or PEX pipe that extends to the top of the showerhead. Once the new controls and showerhead are in place,you can then retile or replace the wall and outer covering of your bathtub.Lastly,add a shower curtain for finishing touches. As a result,you now have a bathtub shower combo in your bathroom. However,due to the tub apron that is still in place,it may be difficult for the elderly and disabled to use and access. This is why the back wall must also be rebuilt.
Replacement to a New Shower
Replacing your bathtub with a new shower means removing everything in the area such as the walls,tub,floor,and ceiling. It is replaced by new controls,a shower pan,new walls,floors,ceiling,and doors.
The complete replacement or remodeling of your bathroom has many factors involve in it such as drywall,insulation,demolition,plumbing,flooring,and general carpentry. These can all be overwhelming hence why you might need a little helping hand to make the job much easier. If you don’t have one then there is a way to make it all much easier which is by using a prefabricated shower kit.
The kit can be usually purchase in home centers. It comes with a shower pan,matching integral walls,and a door. A prefabricated shower kit is very convenient as it provides you with everything you need hence saves time and lessens the stress on the tricky sub-project of tiling on the surfaces of your bathroom. It is much faster and easier compared to building a shower pan from scratch.
Required Materials
- Eye and hearing protection
- Oscillating multi-tool
- Shop vacuum
- Basic plumbing tools
- Cordless drill
- Prybar
- Hammer
- Shower faucet kit,including valve body,controls,trim,and showerhead
- PEX or copper pipe and related accessories to extend supply lines
- Prefabricated shower kit
- Caulk
Steps for Replacement
- First,start by planning and making a floor footprint for your shower area. You can always follow the same floor footprint to avoid excess work and more precise measurement.
- Once you have a floor footprint,you need to secure remodeling permits in your local municipality. Most municipalities require these when plumbing is moved and changed.
- Make sure to shut off the water supply in your bathroom by locating the valve. If you don’t have one for your bathroom then locate your home`s main water shut-off valve.
- Using a pry bar and oscillating multi-tool,remove the Tub Surround or Tile around it.
- Next,remove the bathtub while also making sure to remove the screws and nails that help secures it on your wall. Ask for help when removing your tub as it can be quite heavy and may need some lifting.
- Repair the flooring and studs once the tub is installed. Then install the shower pan.
- Place the shower surround panels and shower door.
- Install the showerhead and its controls.