You know, I think there are actually more people who want just nice spacious walk-in showers but put in a tub when remodeling because they've run up against the real-estate wisdom that the house won't sell one than there are actually tub users. :-) Just my guess because it seems that whenever I pop over to the bathroom forum there is a question on page one from someone who says just what you are - we don't take baths, we'd like to retire the tub for a nicer shower, why can't I do it? - and a chorus of responses of "for resale, for resale!". I'm one of those former kinds AND I put replaced our tub with a new one, but I badly wanted to remove the tub of our main bathroom for a nice - er - make that decent - -sized walk-in shower. Eventually, didn't do it. I put in a tub but I just couldn't get enthused over what tub to get, what tub to get, what tub to get the way I did over the tile, the faucets, the countertop, and yes, even the WC. There is a tub there - it is still uninteresting - I think it is the Kohler Tea-for-two or the Kathryn or something. Whatever. This is my first house, resale was a consideration, and if when we sell the house the next set of buyers aren't bathtub people, I will hurt someone. So, basically, I don't know what to tell you. I badly wanted to pop the hatch on the tub and not put one in again. But I did. Is it the smart thing to do? At the moment, it continues to be an annoyance. At resale time, who-knows coz that hasn't happened yet. So, how do you factor in the cost of having to put in something you don't want for some future anticipated benefit at some indeterminate date for an unknown buyer who we expect will fit a certain mold in terms of their bathroom preferences??? Dunno! Take from this what you will.

First thing I'd do is read the installation instructions to see what is specified there. If they recommend "X" number if vertical inches and you're less than that, or if you used PEX and they specify "no pex" or you used pex that has a smaller inside diameter than the recommended tubing, then essentially you have an installation issue. 1/2" pex does have a smaller inside diameter than 1/2" copper. For delivering water volume to a faucet it's normally not a problem, but when depending on a specified vertical water column, I guess the smaller diameter of the pex could be an issue. I'd call the manufacturer's tech support line and ask them about remediation. No harm no foul, it's best to run ideas past them before you crack open walls. You installed the shower head lower for the kids. Let's say you have yours 25" above the valve and the manufacturer specifies 30". What you could do is have the pipe come vertically out of the valve, and run it up the wall several inches higher than the shower head, say to 40", or even all the way to the top plate of the wall, then add a couple of 90's (to create and inverted "U") and then run it back down to the shower head. That would take care of the vertical issue while allowing you to still have a lowered shower head. If your pex to the tub spout is constricting flow out of the tub spout, that might need to be changed to a larger size of PEX or to copper. Something with a larger inside diameter. You're on your own well so it's likely excessive water pressure isn't an issue. What's on the "back" side of the wall that the valve and plumbing is installed in? Often times it's easier to cut through the back of the wall to access the plumbing, repair the plumbing, then TEST the plumbing, then patch the hole, than it is to access through the shower side of the wall.

My Ultra Bain air tub looks similar. Has raised area at the, er, rear. Has arm rests and handles and a head rest. It's acrylic and heated. I chose mine to fit *me*, since DH prefers a shower. I was able to 'try one on' in a plumbing company's showroom. I wanted to be able to brace my feet so I wouldn't just slip right down underwater. I also wanted something that would fill in a short time. (We have a whirlpool tub that I never use because it takes ages to fill.) My tub is 14 years old. Zero problems. Easy to clean. Air tubs 'blow out' remaining water a few minutes after you exit them so there is no mold forming in the tubing. I have a regular fill faucet and a spray rinse on a diverter.

As long as at least one tub remains in the house, removing one shouldn't be a problem. Under this scenario, a tub would be in an auxiliary bath that is commonly used or available for use by children. In this case, no tub would be necessary in a separate master bath. If you had 3 or more baths in a house, at least one should have a bath. The bath versus shower controversy has been going on for about 50 years. While there are always exceptions, more and more adults have become shower only people. Adult bathers are a much smaller community and getting smaller everyday. Ideally, I would keep at least one bathtub in a home. By having a bathtub a potential buyer won't exclude your home when considering a purchase.