Real Estate

Bath or shower installation

Contrary to popular belief, installing a bathtub or shower doesn’t have to be a major renovation project. You can choose to replace your old shower or bathtub with a sleek new model with tons of features. And you can even use this as an opportunity to do a complete bathroom remodel. Just know that there are a wide variety of options available to you, depending on your budget.

Out with the old … not necessarily!

Many people assume that if their bathtub or shower has reached the end of its useful life, it must be ripped out and replaced. This can be a big and complicated job for someone who just wants to update worn accessories. But these days, you can get custom shower and bath fixtures that can be installed right on top of your existing fixtures, which won’t affect your tiles, walls, floors, or plumbing. It’s an easy solution that can be completed in about 24 hours, without the mess or need for a plumber.

But for those who want to upgrade for added pleasure and convenience, here are a few things to consider.

Can you get in through the door?

It would be nice to replace your standard bathtub with an oversized two person bathtub with all the jets money can buy. But before you buy something, make sure you walk through the door. Bathtubs are usually installed in new homes before the walls and flooring are finished, so even replacing your existing tub with one of the same size could pose a problem.

Due to their volume and weight, one-piece shower and tub screens are generally reserved for new homes or major remodeling projects. For simple replacement work, there are many sectional shower screens and bathtub frames on the market that, once installed, are often difficult to distinguish from one-piece units.

Larger tubs require larger pipes

Beyond the tub itself, don’t forget to consider factors like plumbing, water heaters, and floor supports. If your home is equipped with standard half-inch water supply pipes, filling an extra deep tub will be a time-consuming task. You may want to consider installing three-quarter-inch supply lines.

Similarly, consider whether your current hot water tank has the capacity to fill a large bathtub. Combining an 80 gallon (or larger) tub with a less than 50-75 gallon water heater will result in a lukewarm bath. In this case, consider purchasing a bathtub that has an online heater. This device will continuously heat and recirculate your bath water, resulting in a constant water temperature for the duration of your soak.

Can the floor support the extra weight?

You should also consider whether your floor can support the weight of an oversized bathtub filled with water. While today’s custom homes can accommodate most luxury bathtubs, bathroom floors have traditionally been built to support the weight of a standard bathtub. If you are installing an oversized bathtub in an older home, the floor joists may need to be reinforced.

Whichever route you decide on for your new bathtub or shower, you may want to take this opportunity to install an anti-burn device. These are special pressure balancing valves that automatically adjust to extreme fluctuations in water temperature when someone flushes the toilet or turns on a load of laundry. Anti-burn devices have become, or will soon be, mandatory in 31 states for all remodeling and new construction projects. Check with your contractor to see if it is required in your state.

Will you need a building permit?

Be sure to check with your contractor or your municipality to see if you will need a building permit for your new shower or tub installation. Laws vary between municipalities and you may be forced to start over if you start working without a permit. Use the cost estimators to get a preliminary idea of ​​the costs of installing a new bathtub or shower.

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