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Triple master contractor Ed Del Grande
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By Ed Del Grande
Q. Hello, Ed, how are you? I watch you on TV all the time, and I have a question for you. I'm working to remodel our bathroom. We have a sunken bath tub that we want to convert into a normal shower area. Can this be done? If so, I need to know the best way to level the floor and move the existing plumbing. I would appreciate if you can help me with this. Also, is this a job that I should consult a contractor on? Ruben (Oregon)
A. Hello back, Ruben, and I'm doing great as long as there are nice people like you out there who enjoy the TV show and write in to this column! I try my hardest to get to every popular subject that our readers ask me about, so if you do write in please be patient and I'll always try to cover the subjects that we all can relate to and learn from.
Ruben, you do have a popular dilemma left over from the '70s. Back then it seemed "hip" to sink the bath tub for a trendy look, but a sunken tub is not really practical for most homes in today's market. They can be tricky to get in and out of, and they are expensive to install. So, I can see why you want to upgrade into a level shower area.
First off, I want to encourage you to find a contractor to work with, because this is a job that is going to require building permits in most areas. And you are dealing with floor support and rough-in plumbing issues. Plus, many of these sunken tubs installed were cast iron because they needed to be a very strong with self-supporting materials. So, if your existing sunken tub is cast iron, the demo and removal process will be best left to a professional contractor with a strong crew!
The good news is that once the tub is removed, you and your contractor should have a clean opening in the floor that can be framed in with joists and supports to match the existing floor. Once the floor is level, you can look at this job like you're simply installing a new shower stall from scratch. As long as you have access under and behind the walls, you should be able to alter the water, vent and drain lines to match the new stall.
Speaking of the shower stall, I would suggest a two- or three-piece shower so you can easily bring the shower walls and base through your house and into the bathroom. Once the shower components are in the bathroom, you can put them into place and secure them to each other.
Bottom line: Yes, you can lose that "sinking" feeling in your bathroom and "rise" to the level of a beautiful shower stall!
Ed Del Grande was born and raised in a family-owned plumbing business. With more than 25 years of experience in every aspect of construction, he holds current Master licenses in pipefitting, fire protection and plumbing. If you have a question for Ed, send him an e-mail at eddelgrande@hgtvpro.com.
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