May 6th, 2025
3 min read
Would a tub-to-shower conversion in Newport Beach be right for your bathroom?
Homeowners often consider converting their bathtubs into showers. They may prefer the efficiency of a shower. Perhaps the conversion is due to mobility issues, and showers offer more safety and accessibility.
No matter your reason, you need an experienced professional to help if you plan to convert your existing tub into a shower.
A tub-to-shower conversion is one of the most common bathroom renovations for homeowners. It can also be one of the simplest, but only if done correctly. There’s just too much at risk to trust the conversion to an inexperienced contractor.
Improper installation can lead to leaks, mold growth, and long-term water damage that may not be visible until it’s too late. When done correctly, a tub-to-shower conversion enhances both the style and function of your bathroom. To do the job right, you need to anticipate potential issues and plan to address them.
What are the most common challenges that arise during a tub-to-shower conversion?
Anytime you open up the walls in a bathroom, there’s a risk of discovering water damage. You might think the older a home is and the longer it’s been since work was done in a bathroom, the greater the likelihood of finding damage.
There’s some truth to that, but it’s also common to find water damage in newer or more recently renovated bathrooms. Unfortunately, not all contractors are reputable, and some take shortcuts. Or they might think they’ve done everything to prevent water damage, but a tiny oversight worsens over time.
No matter the cause, you should anticipate a bump or two early in the tub-to-shower conversion process. Working with a contractor familiar with hidden water damage and who starts by taking things down to the studs to uncover damage is the best way to prevent future problems.
Sometimes, you can see a challenge with a conversion coming from a mile away.
If you want a shower and your bathroom has fixtures for a tub, you’ll need to make some changes. It’s common in a tub-to-shower conversion to reroute plumbing, adjust drain locations, or modify the water lines to match the height and position of a shower.
Additionally, you may need to update the walls or flooring to accommodate your new layout.
The good news is that, in most cases, this won’t come as a surprise. You’ll know what’s needed and what it will cost before work begins when you work with a company that strips everything down to the bare bones and builds it up from there.
Once you’ve addressed any issues found when you opened up the walls, you’ll need to ensure that future renovations won’t encounter the same problems. Your contractor does this by waterproofing before installing the new shower and ensuring the new shower pan is sloped correctly.
Proper waterproofing and drainage are essential for preventing leaks that can cause mold, mildew, and structural damage behind your walls and under your floors.
Your final concern: ensuring that your new shower fits into the space. This is rarely a problem because bathtubs have a smaller footprint than showers. It’s one of the reasons people choose the conversion – to give their bathroom more space.
Still, your contractor will measure and plan the layout to avoid awkward gaps or tight corners. A well-fitted shower looks better and functions optimally in your bathroom.
The best way to ensure your Newport Beach tub-to-shower conversion goes smoothly is to work with an experienced bath renovation specialist.
At Shugarman’s Bath, we’re committed to giving you the best renovation experience. You can trust us to replace your tub with a shower that functions correctly and provides the durability and accessibility you want.
Swapping out a tub for a shower can feel like a big project, but partnering with an expert helps simplify the process and ease stress. If you want the best possible outcome for your tub-to-shower conversion from a company you can trust, contact Shugarman’s Bath at [tel] to get connected or visit our website for a free estimate.
Shugarman’s Bath is a family-owned and operated remodeler serving San Diego and Orange County homeowners with high-quality bathtub and shower remodeling. With over 4,000+ projects completed, our team specializes specifically in bathtub and shower remodels. Every project is completed from down to the studs and backed by a lifetime warranty.
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