The U-G-L-Y Truth about "One Day Tub to Shower Conversions"
Have you ever seen advertisements and commercials for “one day bathroom remodels”? They always promise a quick and easy fix to your outdated bathroom, but when it comes to the quality of the work, it’s important to keep in mind the old saying, “you get what you pay for”. While some of these one-day remodels may seem like a good deal, the truth is not always as pretty as the salesman promised.
In fact, the “ugly truth” about one day tub to shower conversions is that they are often hastily installed, which can end up voiding manufacturer warranties. These quick installations often involve flimsy acrylic wall panels that are only 1/8″ thick and glued over your existing walls with no proper waterproofing or vapor barrier. This combination can create the perfect breeding ground for mold to grow behind the wall panels.
What’s more, if you opt for a one day installation, your new shower valve might be installed with snap-together plumbing connections instead of real soldered plumbing joints. While these snap-on connections might seem convenient, they can also be unreliable, leading to hidden leaks that can cause rot and infestation inside the wall. Remember that quality work takes time, attention to detail and can save you a lot of headaches in the long run.
One highly recommended solution to ensure that you do not encounter any issues or complications during your tub to shower conversion or bathroom remodel project is to consider hiring a contractor who is local to Knoxville.
The four ways you are cheated with a one day tub to shower conversion.....
1. The demo.....
A one day installer will demo out just enough to flex flimsy products into the space, oftentimes just installing right over the top of the existing walls, rotted subfloor or worse.
What you should be getting…..
The entire tub/shower area should be demolished down to the studs and bare subfloor. Now you can visually inspect and repair an underlying problems such as rot, infestation or mold. Once this is done you are ready to install the new plumbing to your shower valve, shower head and hand-held wand if equipped.
2. The rough-in plumbing.....
A one day installer will use snap together plumbing fittings that quickly just slide onto a water supply pipe. Unfortunately they’re prone for leaks and drips as well as the possibility of the water pressure blowing it completely apart. The one day installer will use flexible rubber drain pipes so they don’t have to spend time cutting and gluing drain fittings together to tie into the existing drain pipe.
What you should be getting…..
The plumbing connections should be installed to match the existing water supply piping.
- Copper pipes should have solder connections
- Galvanized pipes should be converted to Pex”A” using a galvanized pipe screw in adapter.
- CPVC piping should be glued together with the proper glue.
- Drain piping should be a schedule 40 PVC pipe glued and connected to the existing drain pipe.
3. The shower pan or base.....
The one day installer will install the new shower base without using a mortar or silicone bed resulting in flexes and cracks to the shower base. This voids most manufacturers warranty, its also the main cheat to a one day installation because when bedded properly the installer has to wait for the bed to dry before proceeding.
What you should be getting…..
The shower base must be set in a bedding material, usually mortar and then attached to the wall. When this is done the installer should be done for the day so the bedding material dries with the shower base in place.
4. The wall panels.....
Your one day installer will glue up flimsy acrylic panels over what’s already there, bypassing the need for waterproofing the substrate and/or installing a vapor barrier. Your only barrier against water penetration is a single bead of caulk around the edges and corners. The minute the caulk fails (and it will) you’ve got a hornet’s nest of potential problems including rot, mold and infestation. By the time you notice this outside of the panel it’s too late. You need another expensive bath remodel.
What you should be getting…..
Before installing the wall panels, the installer should inspect and repair any framing concerns followed by installing a plywood substrate on the walls covered in waterproofing. A high quality wall panel system will have coordinating corner pieces to lock the wall panels into a watertight seal insuring the integrity of the shower, its substrate and your investment.
To sum it up…..
Bathroom remodeling with a tub to shower conversion when done properly can add value, beauty and function to your home. Don’t be fooled by gimmicks and sales pitches into buying a tub to shower conversion installed in one day.
A local Knoxville bathroom remodeling contractor is much more likely to guarantee that you have access to a reliable and trustworthy professional who is familiar with the specific dynamics of bathroom remodeling.
On the other hand, if you opt to hire a bathroom remodeling contractor that is headquartered out of state and primarily focused on meeting sales goals, you may encounter a range of frustrating challenges. These challenges might include being limited to only one product to choose from, pushy sales tactics, delays in project starting and completion, difficulty reaching your contractor for updates, changes, and other communications, plus paying travel expenses for their workers Therefore, it is advisable to prioritize selecting a local Knoxville contractor to remodel your bathroom, who truly understands your unique needs and has a vested interest in providing you with top-notch service.
A tub to shower conversion project is usually a 2-4 day process when done right with high quality materials. Now that you know the “ugly truth” about one day tub to shower conversions, why risk your hard earned money and the devaluation of your home value? Here at Knoxville Tub to Shower Conversions we believe in the quality of our work and back it with a lifetime residential warranty. All for a cost comparable with the other guys pushing low quality one day bathroom remodeling. Give us a call at 865-247-5504 to learn more about exactly why you should choose us for your bathroom remodel or tub to shower conversion project!
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