Tub-to-Shower Conversions in Sumner, WA

Tub-to-Shower Conversions in Sumner, WA

Sumner gives me two very different tub-to-shower projects depending on which part of town I am working in. Downtown and the older neighborhoods near the train station have homes from the 1950s through 1970s with steel or cast iron tubs set in tight 5-by-8-foot bathrooms. East Sumner and the newer developments have fiberglass tub-shower combos that were installed by the builder and are now yellowed, cracked, or just plain ugly. Both types of homeowners tell me the same thing: nobody in the house takes baths anymore, and they want a real shower. I have done over a dozen of these conversions in the Sumner area since 2018.

In the older downtown homes, I remove the tub, inspect the drain lines (galvanized steel in homes from this era usually needs replacing), and build a new shower from scratch. That means a mortar bed or preformed pan, waterproof membrane on every surface, cement backer board, and tile from floor to ceiling. I typically install a linear drain along the back wall, which gives the shower a clean modern look and makes the floor pitch simpler to get right. In east Sumner's newer homes, the fiberglass insert comes out in one or two pieces, and the plumbing behind it is usually in good shape. I install a tile shower with a niche for soap and shampoo, a handheld showerhead on a slide bar, and frameless glass. A typical Sumner tub-to-shower conversion runs $10,000 to $24,000, with the older homes running higher because of the plumbing work involved. Most projects take 6 to 10 days. For more details, see my tub-to-shower conversion page.

Sumner permits go through Pierce County Planning and Public Works. I pull a plumbing permit for any conversion that involves moving or replacing drain lines, and I handle the inspection scheduling. In the older downtown homes, I also check for lead paint on the walls surrounding the tub area before starting demolition. Homes built before 1978 require EPA lead-safe work practices during removal, and I follow those protocols on every job where it applies.

Ready to ditch the tub nobody uses? Call me at (253) 392-9266 or request a free estimate. I will come out, look at your current setup, and give you a clear price with no surprises. Check out my Sumner service area page for all the services I provide in your community.