Taking out the 70s trim in the shower turned into redoing the shower
Now that I have gotten frusterated in taking out a little trim in the shower I am looking at redoing the entire shower. Here are my main questions:
1-Is it “simple” to move the faucet from one side of the shower to the other. Not me doing it but a pro.
2-Once that it done I want a frameless / open shower. Is there a number of inches from way to way I need to consider before doing this. I don’t want to finish the shower get in and water go all over the bathroom.
3-Demo! I have been hitting it with the mini sledge. So its tile then cement attached to chicken wire and tar paper. I want to get it off without going deaf hitting it. I have every tool in the world I just don’t know which would serve me best.
4-Shower pan. I have no idea if the previous job was done well or not. My fear is replacing that as well.
Final ask. Do I gut the whole thing. Bite the bullet and move the faucet, redo the shower pan and have a new door made or fix the mess I have done.
Thanks in advance. I thought it would be an “easy” job. NOPE
Replies
Hi Mr. Grant,
In my opinion there is only one way to treat this - total gut. It doesn't sound like there is anything there worth saving especially if you are planning on changing the dimensions and layout. Also, these building materials have a life span and you only want to replace plumbing once in your lifetime so do it while the walls are open - even if the copper looks like it is in new condition, we always replace anything we know is at least ten years old. It really stinks to have to go back and fix a leak buried in the wall 6 months after finishing your brand new bath because you left some old junk in there. Rip it all out to the basement, put in new ball valves, and start fresh with new PVC and copper or PEX. I still like copper shower pans and cement board too for the shower stall which I guess is a little old school with everybody moving towards the Schluter and Wedi panel systems. Yea, it will be a messy, loud, and nasty demo job, but pretty small in scale anyway. As for the question about the size of your door-less shower stall, it is hard to say without seeing the proposed plan. I think I would err on the side of caution and if you don't need the shower to be accessible for someone in a wheelchair include a curb to keep water in.
I have to agree with @finefinish. It’s best to start from scratch and replace all the old things. You can choose different tiles, that are not that expensive and install them by yourself with a tile adhesive like Bondera, instead of hiring a pro.
I know it a difficult project, but in the end you will have the satisfaction of a job well done.