Tub-to-Shower Conversions in Lake Tapps, WA

Tub-to-Shower Conversions in Lake Tapps, WA

Lake Tapps gives me a mix of tub-to-shower projects. On Tapps Island, I pull out old steel and fiberglass tubs from 1970s and 1980s cabins that were never meant for full-time living. These bathrooms are tight, sometimes 5 by 7 feet, and removing the tub frees up space for a walk-in shower that actually works. In the newer homes along Driftwood Point, Jenks Point, and Prairie Ridge, the project is different: homeowners want to replace an underused master bath soaking tub with a large custom shower. I work on both types throughout the Lake Tapps community, and the common thread is that nobody is using those tubs.

Waterproofing is where I pay extra attention in Lake Tapps homes. The humidity off a 2,500-acre reservoir is no joke, and I use a full Schluter Kerdi or liquid-applied membrane system on every shower I build here. That means waterproof membrane on the walls, the floor, the curb, and every seam and corner. I tile floor to ceiling with porcelain or natural stone, install a linear drain for a clean modern look, and finish with frameless glass. For the converted cabins on Tapps Island, I often need to replace old galvanized plumbing with PEX and ABS before building the new shower. A Lake Tapps tub-to-shower conversion runs $14,000 to $29,000 depending on the home's age, tile selection, and plumbing scope. Most projects take 7 to 12 days. My tub-to-shower conversion page covers the full process.

Lake Tapps falls under Pierce County for permitting. I pull a plumbing permit through Pierce County Planning and Public Works for any conversion that involves moving drain or supply lines. County timelines run 1 to 2 weeks longer than city permits, and I factor that into the schedule from day one. For homes on Tapps Island, I coordinate gate access and parking for my crew and materials. One thing I always check in the older lakefront homes is the subfloor under the tub. Water damage is more common near the shoreline, and I will not build a new shower over a soft or rotted subfloor.

If you have a tub in your Lake Tapps home that collects dust instead of bathwater, let me turn it into a shower you will actually use. Call me at (253) 392-9266 or request a free estimate. I will check the plumbing, inspect the subfloor, and give you a fixed-price number. Visit my Lake Tapps service area page for everything I offer in the community.