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How to convert a walk-in shower to a bath with shower?

Hi Everyone! We've just bought our first property, and love it. It's on the second floor, double brick + concrete slab construction. The previous owners recently converted the original bath+shower into a large walk in shower. While it looks great, we really need a bathtub for our little girl. The whole bathroom was renovated, so had screed put down, a shower based made, then waterproofed and tiled. All plumbing was fixed off for the bath. It now has a single mixer and shower head. See the photo attached - the shower is slightly recessed.

I'm wondering how we can add a tub back in with a shower over the top? We've had quotes with vastly different ranges; a couple saying we need to rip out the whole bathroom, re-waterproof the whole room and install a shower over bath (corner bath style). Others have said we can re-plumb the shower drain to fit a bathtub drain and mount a corner bathtub on the existing tiles. We then need to remove the wall tiles to change the plumbing to a tap with two mixers, but can leave the shower head as is. This would involve patching the waterproof where the tiles were removed.

I'm concerned about the waterproofing if we remove a few selected tiles, and if the whole room will be compromised? You can imagine, the quotes were very different in cost, for the partial remodel, vs. the whole bathroom renovation. Advice very much appreciated

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EricL

Hello @sjacks10

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's fabulous to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about adding a shower over bath back into your shower area.

The information you've received is correct, removing some of the tiles will require that all of the tiles be removed so that the area can be waterproofed again. Unfortunately, once the waterproof seal has been compromised a new seal will need to be reapplied.

I suggest visiting your local store and speaking to the In-Store kitchen specialist and asking for a bathroom quote with installation. Please note that some stores don't offer installation so make sure to ask your store if they offer that service.

Since the majority of the fittings are still new, I recommend asking for a demolition, bath installation, re-plumbing of tapware and re-waterproofing of the area along with re-tiling. The vanity can be removed and reinstalled as it is still new along with the current tapware and accessories. The only new thing that will be installed is the bath along with a bath screen if you wish to have one installed.

Unfortunately, the glass shower panel can't be recycled. I propose trying to re-sell the item. Before going to the store, I recommend bringing the measurements of the shower room along with a few pictures.

I also suggest having a look at this guide - How to plan a bathroom renovation by @Adam_W.

Here is a link for ideas and inspiration: Top 10 most popular bathroom projects.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

EricL

Hello @sjacks10

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about converting your shower.

It's definitely possible to convert your shower into a shower over bath. But it all depends on the conditions of the renovation. I can understand the renovator wanting to pull all the tiles out to make sure that the new waterproofing will be dependable, and they won't have to worry about it leaking.

Using the existing tiles means that none of them can be removed as it will compromise the waterproofing that's already there. Depending on what bath your renovator was referring to, a typical corner bath has a measurement of 1295mm x 1295mm which is quite large and will not fit your current shower.

I propose asking your renovator if it would be possible to install a Decina Bella shower/bath. This unit is only 910mm x 910mm which is perfect for small to medium sized shower areas. Please note that this bath will need to be specially ordered at the special orders desk.

I also suggest leaving the shower mixer as is and instead installing a Methven Krome 3 Function Twin Shower System WELS 3 Star 9L/min along with a Flexispray Chrome Bermuda Shower Bracket. Your shower mixer is technically rated to provide 9ltrs a minute which is sufficient enough for the small bath.

The twin shower system allows you to take the hand shower set off the rail and use it to wash your child. The Bermuda bracket is placed near the bath to allow you to park the shower head while you are shampooing or washing the child.

Let me call on our experienced members @DIYMum, @homeinmelbourne and @redbournreno for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

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