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| Hello to all! We have a 5 x 8 master bathroom with a small builder shower/tub. I am on a slab. I'm considering either removing the tub and just installing a wider shower without moving the drain (to avoid cutting the slab), or perhaps getting a tub that is 60 x 36 (perhaps American Standard Studio model number 2935). The wider tub would mean I'd definitely have to move the drain a few inches. How much do you think it will cost to have someone move the drain? Are there any other installation issues and added costs with a tub installation? It's not something I'd attempt to DIY.
Also, do you think I would have an issue with an off-centered drain that may be 1 1/2 inches rather than 2"? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by GreenDesigns (My Page) on Mon, Nov 14, 11 at 16:29
| You may have clearance issues around your toilet if you increase the size of your tub or shower. You'll need at least 15" from the center line of the toilet to where your shower or tub begins, but more room would be better. You also need to watch the step out space from the shower to make sure that you have enough room to get in and out safely. One problem with the shower pans that are designed to retrofit into an existing tub alcove is that with the drain being in the same location as it is in a tub, the slope around the drain to the sides is pretty steep, while the slope from the far end is raised up much higher than it would need to be if the drain was in the center as in a regular shower. That makes the tiling look strange if you choose to do tile walls. This type of shower pan is most often used with an acrylic or other manmade solid surface surround which will minimize that visual issue. |
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| Thank you so much for your reply! I brought out the tape measure and I would still have 15 inches from the center line of the toilet to a theoretical 36" width tub, but I wouldn't have more clearance than that. As far as room to get out of the shower, the way we're laid out, we'd still be ok on that front (see link for layout style, just everything is on the right side instead of the left). We would use either a European style shower screen or sliding glass doors, to avoid issues with shower door clearance. Any idea how much it would run me to move that drain a few inches? Would moving it cause any problems with function? As far as the other option of doing the larger shower without moving the drain, I would love to see an example of the issues you are talking about with the shower grading and get feedback on people's experiences, with both the feel of the tile while showering and the look of the tiling with a similar modification. GreenDesign, when you say it makes the tiling look strange, are you just meaning the floor having more of a slope than usual and the hole being off-centered? What are your thoughts in general on the project? Are you suggesting I do the tub? |
Here is a link that might be useful: Our bathroom layout is the mirror image of this
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| We replaced a 30" x 60" tub with a shower pan from Swanstone and it was level all around the edges. We tiled the walls around it, and there was no issue of odd sloping tile lines because the shower base was level. It was much roomier to shower in the 30x60" shower than the 30x60" tub! I liked the Swanstone base because it was a drop-in fit on the old tub drain and it had no grout lines to potentially fail (we weren't on a slab & the basement ceiling is finished, so a small leak would have rotted out the subfloor). Swanstone and Corian both make single-piece shower bases that feel really sturdy underfoot. Kohler makes a cast iron one but it's only 48" long (but wider than 30") and it would have required us to move the drain. We did sliding, frameless shower doors with a no-track bottom (so it wouldn't catch gunk) and it was pretty easy to keep clean, all things considered. My dad visited & said it was easy for him to use (he used a walker and couldn't step into a standard tub). We did put a patio chair in the shower for him (hey, it fit & it worked well). Good luck with your choice! |
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- Posted by conchitaFL (My Page) on Tue, Nov 15, 11 at 12:05
| You'll need at least 15" from the center line of the toilet to where your shower or tub begins I'm curious about this, GreenDesigns. I had asked a similar question earlier and was told that was for wall clearance, not the tub. Can you (or anyone) clarify this? I haven't bought yet, but I know the complex where I want to buy and all units there have the same bath configuration. I'd really like to put in a deeper tub, but those are always 32" wide and right now there's exactly 15 between the tub and the toilet center line. Going closer won't affect tub accessibility since the toilet is set back in an alcove so only the bowl area sticks out next to the tub, but if this is a code issue it could be an issue for me. This bath is upstairs, but the floor is poured concrete, so moving the toilet a couple of inches would be a big deal for me, too. |
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