skip to main content

Plumbing Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Tub to Shower conversion and I widened the shower by 2 inches.

10 months ago

When I had the shower widened by 2 inches (now it is 30 w x 60 long), I did not think about the location of the plumbing. It was not obvious to me that it is now off center by 2 inches. I cannot recall if the plumber mentioned it or not but I now have another detail to ruminate over!

The shower has just had the new wall board added, water proofing took place over the weekend but shower has not yet tiled. They are starting the shower pan tiling today. Do I have them open stop and open up the wall to reposition the plumbing or do I place a hand-held shower bar to the left of the shower to "balance the space". Or maybe I won't notice (problem is I notice all details) Help. Immediate issue. The wall tile is very plain. This is a minimalist design type guest bathroom. Thanks

Featured Answer

Lyn Nielson

10 months ago

you won't even notice it being off centered... maybe You will, but no one else will. Relax.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

catbuilder
10 months ago
If the valve was centered in the wall before, and you widened the shower by 2", then it is now off center by only 1", not 2". The tile layout will have more impact on whether or not it looks centered, if that really matters to you.
Barbara Fenton thanked catbuilder
Related Discussions
Kohler Greek tub as tub/shower combo
Q
Comments (18)
Wow, thanks bumble doodle! Tt is great to know that the tub works well as a shower. We are tall too--at least most of us (two of my teenage daughters are twins and one is 5'2" and the other is 5'10", so maybe the short one complains a bit but that's ok, since she complains about everything!) We are getting the non-jetted version. Also, I am hoping that building the deck at the front will help with the water spray. I am pushing the tub back into an alcove under the window the long way (so we get into the tub at the 32" side rather than from the 48" side) and we are trying to go without shower doors in order to make the bath feel open. With a deck, we buy a few more inches of length to help avoid water on the floor. We may not succeed and will put a panel on if we have to. Any thoughts on this?
...See More
Bathtub to shower conversion?
Q
Comments (5)
Unfortunately, I believe if they are doing this with selling in mind it won't add value in $$$, but might in speed of sale. If they are doing this for them, they should go for what makes them happy. I have seen many threads here about improving with the idea of recouping the money at resale and all the advice has always been it won't add to the value. I live in a very high cost area and people buy and rip everything out. Even brand new high end, never touched baths and kitchens. In the low cost areas around me people buy homes in good repair, that are clean, but they can't afford to pay extra for new bathrooms. If they could they would go to better neighborhoods. Good luck. Edited to add: I am not a professional and many others here know much more than I do. Hope they weigh in.
...See More
Advice on bathtub to shower conversion in NYC -- possible?
Q
Comments (2)
I converted a tub/shower combo in my high rise condominium and had to replace the drains. I don't know if this was because of the size of the drains or because of the condition of the drains but since the plumbing was original to the 1965 build I thought it better to get new stuff insofar as possible during this gut remodel. The drains needed to be accessed through my downstair neighbor's ceiling as you can visualize the common plumbing lines stack up on top of each other. It wasn't a difficult procedure but I needed access to my neighbor's apartment. If access to the drain from your neighbor is necessary, then ask your manager what the procedure is. In my building, we are permitted access but obviously have to pay for the costs of closing it up. It cost me about $1000 for my GC to open up my neighbor's ceiling and then patch and paint it again. It also cost me $2000 to have the water shut off when my plumbing was done - all of these expenses are why remodels in metropolitan areas become so pricey as it starts to add up - not to mention the regulations on working hours; the time it takes stuff to be brought up and down in the elevators - demo of my relatively small unit took about a week because everything had to be carried out - and of course you also need to make sure that all the common area floors are covered to avoid damage to the flooring :-)
...See More
Tub to shower conversion concern
Q
Comments (7)
I converted my tub/shower to a shower which essentially follows the footprint of the tub and it is fine - but then I showered in the tub/shower. It might be wider than 30" but the tub is in a relatively small condo bathroom. One reason why the converted showers seem spacious as that they actually have more foot room than the tub because typically tubs have rounded bottoms. Also you can just turn a bit and therefore if you need additional room for elbows or to bend over you have the full length. When I had to shower in the standard 36" x 36" stall shower it was much more confining because it was a narrow box and there was nothing I could do except be careful when extending my arms because I couldn't turn.
...See More
PRO
DeWayne
10 months ago
Add the hand shower on a bracket and no one will notice. Provided you have placed a diverter for the plumbing behind the wall.
Barbara Fenton thanked DeWayne
Barbara Fenton
Original Author
10 months ago
Thank you. Yes I have the hand held diverter in the wall. I will chill out and place the hand held vertical bar to the left of the shower head. That will work. My hand held diverter is on the lower right side as I planned it on the right originally but I think it will work out fine. Thank you all for the immediate responses. Also you are right it will only be off by one inch. It looks like more so maybe the shower opening ended up a bit larger?(I am not in the same city to measure the width) In any event by the time the shower glass is installed etc. I know it will be fine. Thank you all again.
K A
5 months ago
Barbara, did you tile your new floor? and use a 6” curb?
volterra
5 months ago
last modified: 5 months ago

Curb ended up about 4” h. It also ended up about 6.25” wide. Wider than I wanted. But it all worked out and I am happy with the result. i used the counter quartz material for the curb as well as the shelf in shower niche. Shower floor is a gray green penny tile. Shower walls and dry floor area is 24” x 48” porcelain tile .
K A
5 months ago
Your bathroom is very pretty! Thank you for posting. You are helping me relax. It feels like there are so many things to be aware of and its all so costly. I really felt you went you were upset about centering the showerhead. Yours look totally okay by the way. But i get how its easy to get overwhelmed by all the details.

Related Stories

BATHROOM DESIGN Shower Curtain or Shower Door?

By Lara Sargent

Find out which option is the ideal partner for your shower-bath combo

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: Ditching the Tub for a Spacious Shower

By Jeannie Matteucci

A Georgia designer transforms her master bathroom to create a more efficient and stylish space for 2

BATHROOM DESIGN Convert Your Tub Space to a Shower — the Fixtures-Shopping Phase

By By Any Design Ltd.

Step 2 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Determine your mechanical needs and buy quality fixtures

BATHROOM DESIGN Convert Your Tub Space to a Shower — the Planning Phase

By By Any Design Ltd.

Step 1 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Get all the remodel details down on paper

BATHROOM DESIGN Convert Your Tub Space Into a Shower — the Tiling and Grouting Phase

By By Any Design Ltd.

Step 3 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Pick the right tile and test it out, then choose your grout color and type

SHOWERS Convert Your Tub Space Into a Shower — Choosing Accessories

By By Any Design Ltd.

Step 5 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Pick the right niches, benches and bars for the best showering experience

BATHROOM DESIGN Why You Might Want to Put Your Tub in the Shower

By By Any Design Ltd.

Save space, cleanup time and maybe even a little money with a shower-bathtub combo. These examples show how to do it right

BATHROOM DESIGN New This Week: 6 Bathrooms That Rock a Shower-Tub Combo

By Mitchell Parker

Designers showcase beautiful ways to make this classic bathroom feature worth keeping

BATHROOM DESIGN Convert Your Tub Space Into a Shower — Waterproofing and Drainage

By By Any Design Ltd.

Step 4 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Pick your waterproofing materials and drain, and don't forget to test

BATHROOM DESIGN 8 Narrow Bathrooms That Rock Tubs in the Shower

By Bryan Anthony

Not a fan of shower-tub combos or of ditching the tub altogether? Check out these 8 spaces with tubs in the shower

Sponsored

More Discussions

Shower faucet system

3

Can't decide gold fixtures what would you do

29

Does a countertop immediately behind hot range vents crack over time?

8

Best skirted toilet for reduced clogs?

11

Refrigerator Water Filters

4