Bathroom Remodeling
Shower Remodels and Tub-to-Shower Conversions
Replacing an old tub with a walk-in tile shower, or rebuilding a leaking shower the right way. Every shower we build starts with a sloped pan, a waterproof membrane and a flood test.
Shower Remodels & Tub-to-Shower Conversions
A tub-to-shower conversion is one of the most common bathroom projects we do. Many homeowners rarely use the tub, find it hard to step over, and want a shower with room to move, a bench and a niche for bottles. The alcove that held a 5-foot tub is usually a good size for a walk-in shower.
Shower remodels also start from failures: grout that keeps cracking, tiles that sound hollow, a stain on the ceiling below, or a soft spot at the base of the wall. Those almost always mean water is getting behind the tile. A new shower has to be built so that never happens again, and that work is mostly invisible once the tile is up.
What makes a shower watertight
Tile and grout are not waterproof. Water passes through grout, so the real barrier is underneath: a pan sloped to the drain and a continuous waterproof membrane on the floor and walls. The membrane can be a sheet product or a liquid applied in coats, and it has to connect to the drain and wrap into niches, benches and the curb without a gap.
Before tile goes down, we plug the drain and fill the pan with water, then check that the level does not drop. Many inspectors ask for this flood test, and we do it either way. It is the one moment when a leak is cheap to fix.
Converting a tub to a shower
Removing an alcove tub exposes the drain, the valve and usually the condition of the wall and floor behind it. The drain often has to move to suit the new shower, and in a slab house that means cutting concrete. The old valve is replaced with a pressure-balancing or thermostatic valve, and blocking for grab bars can go in while the walls are open.
Curb or curbless
A low curb is simplest. A curbless entry needs the floor recessed so the shower floor can slope below the bathroom floor.
Bench and niche
A built-in bench and recessed niches add storage and comfort, and must be waterproofed with the rest of the shower.
Glass
A fixed panel, a hinged door or a sliding door, measured after the tile is set so it fits the finished walls.
When to keep a tub
If it is the only tub in the house, think about who might need one: young children, or future buyers who expect at least one. Some families keep the tub in the hall bath and convert the primary bathroom. If the tub stays, a new tub with a tiled surround and a proper membrane gives the same protection as a shower.
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Get a shower that stays dry behind the tile
Send photos of your tub or shower. We will look at what is behind it and give you a written price.
Shower Remodels & Tub-to-Shower Conversions: FAQs
How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?
A straightforward conversion in the same footprint commonly takes one to two weeks of work, plus time for glass to be measured and made after tile is finished. Moving the drain in a slab, repairing rot behind the old tub, or waiting on special-order tile adds time. You get a schedule with the estimate.
Will removing my only tub hurt resale?
It can, in some markets, because families with young children often look for at least one tub. If you have another bathroom with a tub, converting the second one is rarely an issue. If it is the only tub, we will talk it through with you before you decide.
Why does my old shower grout keep cracking?
Repeated cracking often means movement or water behind the tile: the backing may be soft, the pan may be failing, or the shower was built without a membrane. New grout cannot fix that. We check for hollow tiles, soft spots and moisture, and if the structure behind is wet, a rebuild is the lasting fix.
What is a flood test?
After the shower pan and waterproofing are built, the drain is plugged and the pan is filled with water and left for a period to check that the level does not drop. It proves the pan holds water before tile covers it. We do it on every shower we build.
Related services
Bathroom Remodels near you
- Santa Paula, CA5–12 min from Santa Paula
- Oxnard, CA20–40 min from Santa Paula
- Carpinteria, CA38–60 min from Santa Paula
- Saticoy, CA12–20 min from Santa Paula
- Ventura, CA15–35 min from Santa Paula
- El Rio, CA15–25 min from Santa Paula
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- Bathroom Remodeling (overview)
- Master Bathroom Remodels
- Accessible & Aging-in-Place Bathrooms
- Guest & Half Bathrooms
- Bathroom Remodel Cost in Ventura County (2026–27 Price Guide)
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- Aging-in-Place Bathroom Remodel Guide
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- 2027 Bathroom Trends for Ventura County Homes
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- How Long Does a Bathroom Remodel Take?
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