View Full Version : How to convert a garden tub in a shower?
mariposa70
Jun 23, 2011, 01:29 PM
I live in a mobile home and am trying to convert my garden tub into a shower. The faucets are on the an open end in the corner, plus I also have mirrors from the top of the tub to the ceiling. Which the mirrors were already there when I purchased the home. Can some one help??
ballengerb1
Jun 23, 2011, 05:25 PM
Are you thinking of adding a shower arm and head to the tub or do you want to start completely over with a shower pan too?
mariposa70
Jun 23, 2011, 06:35 PM
I want to keep the tub and mirrors. Just change the faucet then add a curtain rod later
ma0641
Jun 24, 2011, 09:20 AM
Hey Butterfly, little tricky but can be done. Most garden tubs have Roman type spouts and that is difficult to adapt for a wall shower. You will need to open the wall or access panel for the plumbing and see what type of diverter valve, if any, you have. If none, you will need to add one and a plumber will most likely be needed. If you have a wall spout, you can purchase a kit that replaces the old spout and has a built in diverter with a hand held shower fitting. There is also a kit that replaces the aerator of the roman tub spout but it only allows a shower, not both and it is a hand held model.
mariposa70
Jun 24, 2011, 04:11 PM
That sounds about right. What about using an outdoor shower kit? Could that work also? Plus I do know how to do plumbing. I laid 750 ft of pipe on my property to my house.
ma0641
Jun 24, 2011, 05:22 PM
Outdoor would work but you will still need to figure how to get from the tub spout to the shower connection. Look at the handheld conversions and see if you can get a diverter valve. HD, Lowe's and others carry a fitting like that.
mariposa70
Jun 25, 2011, 05:32 PM
Thank you, I was looking at them and comparing it to my tub and yes I would need a diverter valve or some connections that I can use to convert the spouts on the tub. Thank you for all your help
ma0641
Jun 26, 2011, 01:02 PM
I saw a fitting that screwed to the spout in place of the aerator and then connected to a hand held. Don't need a diverter. Try You Tube-"Roman shower conversion" or something like that. Brian
massplumber2008
Jun 28, 2011, 11:04 AM
You mean like this one, Brian... see video below... :)
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Mariposa, just be clear that this isn't a perfect solution in that you don't have anti-scald protection so just be careful of fluctuating water pressures and make sure no one uses the cold water when you are showering... can get burned, OK?
You can purchase these at: Add-A-Shower Roman Tub Faucet Adapter Kit Quick Connect | eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/Add-A-Shower-Roman-Tub-Faucet-Adapter-Kit-Quick-Connect-/320716769694?pt=US_Faucets&hash=item4aac35899e)
Good luck!
Mark
ma0641
Jun 28, 2011, 02:27 PM
Yes, I'm just not literate enough to import but did see the same video. Thanks, Mark. Brian
massplumber2008
Jun 28, 2011, 03:27 PM
It was the ONLY video like it that I could find!
Hey! If you want to learn how to post videos just let me know... won't believe how easy it is!