Hello, Just looking for some help in regards to replacing an old shower of ours with a new one. We've taken out the old shower and the tiles that lined it and are looking to replace it with a new one. Never attempted anything of this magnitude so just wanted to know how DIY friendly the project would be or just to call a professional. I've attached some photos. Thanks in advance for the responses.
Hello @DerrickJ
Thank you for sharing your question about replacing your shower. Replacing your shower involves a number of professional trades which include a builder, a registered plumber, a trained and council recognized water proofing specialist and a professional tiler. This is a major undertaking and any mistakes made in any of the building steps could result in leaks and long-term damage to your home.
I'm not discouraging you about D.I.Y, but there are some jobs that are best left to the professionals, especially when it involves plumbing and water proofing. I suggest engaging the professional services I mentioned and watch them how they rebuild your shower from the ground up. This will give you a bird's eye view of how involved the renovation is.
Here are some of the possible steps the trades will be doing. The builder will replace the damaged Villaboard and possibly create additional framing for the bottom and tapware section. They will also patch the broken floor and level it with the proper fall. The plumbers first visit will involve positioning the floor waste at the correct height and checking the tapware and shower heads that will be installed. Once all the wall panels are secure and the floor has properly cured, the water proofing specialist will apply the water proofing membrane over the shower area. The tiler will then install the tiles in the shower and make sure that it is lined up correctly with the existing tiles.
The tile adhesive is allowed to cure before grouting occurs. The plumbers second visit will involve the installation of the tapware and shower head along with any other plumbing related jobs. This is a very general description of what steps might be taken, I suggest speaking to your trades or a builder who has a team that can give you a quote for the entire job.
Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @DIY4Knuckleheds for their recommendations.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
Good Evening @DerrickJ
Just to add to @EricL 's suggestions, I would have a look around at some bathroom styles that you may like. Something you can have a chat to with your plumber/builder before they start anything. I have not done a bathroom for some of the reasons that @EricL has mentioned, it hasnt stopped me but over a fair amount of time I have seen issues that arise if we are unfamiliar with the process. Working out via quotes and what is needed to be signed off professionally would be a good place to start with determining if you feel capable of doing the renovation.
Dave
Hi @DerrickJ
As someone who has rebuilt several bathrooms, though I wouldn't call advanced, it is very involved and one that requires it to be done correctly with no shortcuts. Especially when it comes to waterproofing.
My advice would be to get a few quotes on having the project completed professionally. from the photos it looks like you have done an excellent job in most of the demo works which will save costs.
Nailbag
G'day DerrickJ, get the pros in mate. I've completed a number of bathrooms over my time and are well aware of the pitfalls of doing it yourself. The pros will come in and do it so much faster than you can and they can also direct you in ways that you may not have thought of in regard to things like tap ware, tile selection, shower screen options, fan and lighting selections etc. The pros also have all the trades on hand so it takes all the stress out of it. Good luck 👍
