Tub-to-Shower Conversions in South Hill, WA

Tub-to-Shower Conversions on South Hill, WA

South Hill's ramblers and split-levels from the 1980s and 1990s almost all have the same bathroom layout: a tub-shower combo with a sliding glass door on a track. I have worked in neighborhoods along Canyon Road, Sunrise Boulevard, 112th Street, and the Meridian corridor, and I see these same setups over and over. The sliding doors stick, the tracks collect grime, and the tub itself is either a steel or fiberglass unit that has lost its finish. More than half the homeowners I talk to on South Hill tell me they have not taken a bath in years. Converting that unused tub into a proper walk-in shower is one of the most popular projects I do in this area.

The process on South Hill starts with removing the old tub and the wall surround, then inspecting the framing and plumbing behind it. In homes from this era, the plumbing is usually copper supply lines and ABS drain, both of which hold up well. I rarely need to replace the supply piping in these homes, which keeps the cost down compared to older Tacoma houses with galvanized lines. I install cement backer board, a full waterproof membrane, and tile from the shower floor to the ceiling. A lot of my South Hill clients ask for a zero-threshold entry, which is great for accessibility and gives the bathroom a clean, open look. I finish with a single frameless glass panel or a hinged glass door depending on the layout. A typical South Hill tub-to-shower conversion runs $11,000 to $22,000. Most take 5 to 9 days from demo to final cleanup. My tub-to-shower conversion page covers the step-by-step process.

South Hill is in unincorporated Pierce County, so permits go through Pierce County Planning and Public Works. I pull a plumbing permit when the drain location changes or when I am adding new supply lines for multiple showerheads. For straightforward conversions where the drain stays in the same location, the permit process is quick. I handle all the paperwork and inspections so you do not have to take time off work. One thing I always check in South Hill homes is the subfloor condition, especially in bathrooms that sit above a crawl space where moisture can accumulate over 30-plus years.

Tired of that old tub-shower combo with the sliding door? Call me at (253) 392-9266 or request a free estimate. I will look at your bathroom, talk through what is possible, and give you a fixed-price number you can count on. Visit the South Hill service area page for more on my South Hill work.