Tub-to-Shower Conversions Across the East Valley
Renova Plumbing & Drain converts bathtubs into walk-in showers across the East Valley, handling the drain, the valve, the waterproofing and the finished tile with one licensed team.
- Licensed, bonded and insured
- Arizona ROC 36372 & ROC 35043
- 15+ years in the plumbing trade
- Owner-operated, local team
- Free visual estimates
What Customers Say
Swapping a tub for a shower is mostly a plumbing job hidden behind tile. The tub drain is usually too small and in the wrong spot for a shower, the old valve often needs replacing, and the floor and walls need waterproofing that a tub never required.
A shower that leaks behind the tile can do years of damage before anyone sees it. We treat the drain, valve and waterproofing as the core of the job, not an afterthought to the tile.
When to Call About Tub-to-Shower Conversions
- A tub that only collects dust takes up the space a roomier walk-in shower could use.
- A low-curb or curbless shower is easier to step into for everyone in the house.
- Worn fiberglass or old tile surrounds can let water into the wall. Replace them before damage spreads.
- Slow tub drains can mean scale or a failing drain line. A conversion is the time to fix it.
- A tub-shower valve that drips or swings hot and cold should be replaced while the wall is open.
- Signs of a slow leak around the tub. Find the source before building a new shower over it.
- These change the framing and waterproofing, so they belong in the plan from day one.
Thinking about swapping your tub for a walk-in shower? Talk to Renova about what the drain and valve will need.
Office hours Mon–Fri, 8am–5:30pmTimeline and Cost
| Consultation and site visit | About an hourWe check the drain location, valve and wall condition. |
|---|---|
| Tub removal and demolition | About a dayDepends on the tub type and surround. |
| Drain, valve and waterproofing | A few daysLonger if the drain moves through the slab. |
| Full conversion with tile | One to two weeksVaries with tile, glass and niche choices. |
Conversions vary with the shower you choose and what we find once the tub is out, so we don't publish prices. You get a clear, line-item estimate before anything is committed. These factors move the number most.
| Drain relocation | Moving or enlarging a drain through the slab adds concrete work. |
|---|---|
| Curb or curbless | A curbless entry takes more floor work than a standard curb. |
| Valve replacement | A new pressure-balancing or thermostatic valve is common and adds cost. |
| Shower size and features | Benches, niches and larger footprints add framing and waterproofing. |
| Tile and glass | Tile choice and a custom glass enclosure set much of the budget. |
| Hidden damage | Rot or old leaks found behind the tub are repaired before building. |
Tub-to-Shower Conversions: From the Job Site
How Tub-to-Shower Conversions Works With Renova
Step 1: Talk through the shower you want
Curb or curbless, bench, niche, glass. We explain what each choice means for the plumbing and the floor.
Step 2: Remove the tub and inspect
Once the tub is out, we check the drain line, the valve and the framing for old leaks before building anything new.
Step 3: Rework the drain and valve
The drain is enlarged and moved as needed, and a new shower valve is installed and pressure-tested.
Step 4: Waterproof before tile
The shower pan and walls are waterproofed and water-tested before a single tile goes on.
Step 5: Tile, glass and walkthrough
Tile, fixtures and glass go in. We run the shower with you and confirm everything drains and holds before closing out.
Talk to Renova About Your Tub-to-Shower Conversions
Owner-operated and locally accountable, serving the East Valley. Free visual estimates; larger projects start with a site visit.
Why Homeowners Choose Renova
Drain sized for a shower
Tub drains are often too small for a shower. We rework it properly.
Waterproofing comes first
The pan and walls are waterproofed and tested before any tile goes on.
New valve, tested
A new shower valve is installed and pressure-tested while the wall is open.
One team, start to finish
A licensed plumber and general contractor handles the plumbing and the finished shower.
Licensed, bonded and insured
Work completed to code and ready for inspection, with permit coordination for the plumbing scope.
No pressure
An honest recommendation, including when a simple tub update makes more sense.
Tub-to-Shower Conversions in the East Valley
Most East Valley homes sit on a concrete slab, so the tub drain runs through the floor. Converting to a shower often means opening a section of slab to enlarge or move that drain. We plan for it upfront so it is never a surprise.
Hard water matters here too. Scale builds up on shower valves, heads and glass, so we talk through fixture choices and water treatment options before your new shower goes in.
A bathroom remodel is an investment. The plumbing behind the tile is what protects that investment. I treat it that way every time, whether it's a simple refresh or a full master suite rebuild.
Tub-to-Shower Conversions by City
Common Questions
- What plumbing changes does a tub-to-shower conversion need?
- Usually a larger drain, often moved to a new spot, and a new shower valve. The floor and walls also need waterproofing that a tub never required. In East Valley homes built on a slab, moving the drain may mean opening part of the concrete floor, which should be planned upfront.
- Who does tub-to-shower conversions in the East Valley?
- Renova Plumbing & Drain converts tubs to walk-in showers in Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek, Tempe and Scottsdale. As a licensed plumber and general contractor, it reworks the drain and valve, waterproofs the shower, and finishes the tile and glass with the same team.
- Is a curbless shower possible in a home built on a slab?
- Often, yes, but it takes more work. A curbless shower needs the floor recessed or sloped so water stays in the shower, which on a slab means cutting and reshaping concrete. A plumber should check the drain location and floor before you commit to a curbless design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most conversions take one to two weeks from demolition to finished tile and glass. Moving the drain through the slab, a curbless entry or a custom glass enclosure can add time. You get a clear timeline in the scope before work starts, and you hear immediately if anything changes.
It depends on your home and your buyers. Many households are happy with one tub in the house and a walk-in shower elsewhere. If this is your only tub, it is worth thinking about. We'll give you an honest opinion rather than pushing the bigger job.
In most cases, yes. The old tub-shower valve sits in the wall you are opening anyway, and it is often worn or basic. Replacing it now costs far less than cutting into new tile later. We install the new valve and pressure-test it before the wall is closed.
Moving a drain or replacing a valve can require a plumbing permit. The rules come from your city, so check with Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek, Tempe or Scottsdale for your project. Renova coordinates the permit for the plumbing scope and leaves the work ready for inspection.
It depends on whether the drain moves, curb or curbless entry, shower size, valve choice, tile and glass. Hidden damage found behind the old tub can also add work. We don't publish prices, but you get a clear, line-item estimate before anything is committed. If diagnosing the problem needs tools, camera work, testing or disassembly, a diagnostic fee may apply.
The shower pan and walls are waterproofed and water-tested before any tile goes on. The drain and valve are pressure-tested while everything is still open. Nothing gets buried behind tile that hasn't been verified, which is the part of the job most homeowners never see.
Planning a Remodel? Let's Talk Early.
Tell us what's going on. You'll hear back from our local team, not a call center, and you'll get a straight answer about what your home needs. Serving the East Valley, from Gilbert to Scottsdale.
Texting works well, especially during the workday.