Will Your Tub or Shower Remodel Leave You Without a Bathroom?

When your shower remodel is underway, you might be wondering if you’ll have access to your bathroom. You might need access to your toilet or sink. You also don’t know how long the water will be off or how disruptive the process will be. If you only have one bathroom, you want to know you’ll still be able to use it.

You will still have access to your toilet and sink during your shower remodel. The only part you can’t use is the tub and shower area.

With over 6,000 tub and shower remodels completed, Shugarman's Bath knows how to keep your bathroom accessible while your remodel gets done.

Here you will find out what will remain accessible during your remodel, how long you will be without water, and how long each type of remodel leaves you without your tub and shower area.

Table of Contents:

• Will the Bathroom Be Accessible During Your Shower Remodel?
• How Long Will the Water Be Shut Off?
  
• Does the Type of Remodel Affect How Long You're Without a Tub or Shower?
• How Much Will a Remodel Actually Disrupt Your Bathroom?

Will the Bathroom Be Accessible During Your Shower Remodel?

You will still have access to your bathroom during your shower remodel. The toilet and sink stay accessible. The only part of your bathroom that is out of service is the tub and shower area.

The crew covers the toilet with a padded protective cover called Toilet Armor. It fits over any toilet and comes off in seconds when you need to use it.

The sink gets covered too, and the crew may set some tools or materials on the vanity to make use of the space. But the sink itself still works if you need to use it.

If you have a family member who uses a wheelchair or has limited mobility, the crew knows how to accommodate that. Let them know before the job starts, and they will make sure the path to the toilet stays clear whenever you need it.

How Long Will the Water Be Shut Off?

The water is shut off anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours. It depends on the size of the job. More complex jobs push the water shutoff for close to 2 hours.

The crew lets you know when they will shut off the water. That gives you time to use the bathroom, fill a glass of water, or do whatever you need to do before they get started on the plumbing.

Even after the water is shut off, you still have one flush left in the tank. It just will not refill until the water comes back on. If something urgent comes up, that flush is there.

If the water needs to be restored due to an emergency, the crew can temporarily cap off the plumbing and restore water to the rest of the bathroom.

Does the Type of Remodel Affect How Long You're Without a Tub or Shower?

Yes, the type of remodel does affect the timeline you’re without your tub or shower. In ideal conditions, here is how long each type of job can take:

• A fiberglass tub or shower with standard fixtures is typically a 1-day job. The demo and the full install happen on the same day. Your new shower can be done by the time the crew leaves.
• If the crew is demoing tile, the installation can take closer to two days.
• A job with a Cali Combo (a bathroom with a separate tub and shower side by side) can take 3 to 4 days.

The timing can change if anything unexpected is found behind the walls and requires repair.

How Much Will a Remodel Actually Disrupt Your Bathroom?

A tub or shower remodel does not take your bathroom out of service. That worry is valid, especially if it’s the only bathroom you or your family have access to. The sink and toilet will be accessible throughout your remodel. The only part off-limits during your install is the tub and shower area. Your water will be shut off for up to 2 hours, and the crew will clear the area whenever needed.

Now that you know you’ll have access to your bathroom, read our article on the step-by-step shower remodel process. That way, you know what to expect during your installation days.

Have additional questions, comments, or concerns about your shower remodel? Contact Shugarman’s Bath, and we will get back to you within 1-2 business days.

 The opinions expressed in the referenced materials are those of the authors only, not necessarily of Shugarman’s Bath. While these referenced materials are useful in answering generalized questions, each bathroom is unique. For a particular question about your tub or shower remodeling project, contact your Shugarman’s Bath consultant.