There is a possibility that mine need to be replaced, and I just can’t figure out how did they be able to move the fiberglass bathtub/shower into the bathroom without take out the door and part of the wall.  I assume it was inside before they put up the dry wall or something, right?

So how can it be replaced if I need to fix it?

Installing a larger shower stall will require you to do one of two things. Either remove part of a wall to get the stall into the bathroom, or purchase a multi-piece unit that you assemble and install inside the room.

Google is your friend ! 

The link does not say anything about how to take the existing stall out.  It assume that it can be done without remove part of a wall etc.

It looks like I will need to remove the wall between the bathroom and the hallway to get the stall out.  Yuck!

I guess I can ask my neigbor.  When his ex-wife moved out, she use a slegehammer to the kitchen sink, toilet and shower stall, among other things, including paving bricks in the yard.  But I only see him twice in past year.  He thinks I am on his ex’s side, so we don’t really talk to each others.

are you sure that it is one piece, and not joined at the top of the tub?  i would have thought they would be brought in in two peices and assembled.

to remove, since they are plastic, all you need is a sawzall

When his ex-wife moved out, she use a slegehammer to the kitchen sink, toilet and shower stall, among other things, including paving bricks in the yard.  But I only see him twice in past year.  He thinks I am on his ex’s side, so we don’t really talk to each others.

Wow, psycho! Sounds like some drama in that household.

She is a nice, short Asian lady, soft spoken too.  :shock:

The tub and the shower wall is one integral part.  I guess there is no way I can get something similar if I need to replace it due to the size and the small bathroom.

Astute Observer - 18 August 2008 09:28 AM

There is a possibility that mine need to be replaced, and I just can’t figure out how did they be able to move the fiberglass bathtub/shower into the bathroom without take out the door and part of the wall.  I assume it was inside before they put up the dry wall or something, right?

So how can it be replaced if I need to fix it?

PM me if you like. If I could see what it is you are talking about, then I can see what can be done. Most likely the builder added the tub/shower when the place was less than complete and very open, so to speak. The Dremel may become your best friend.

I think they must have installed it when it was half complete, and very open.  Thanx everyone.

I think my sister had a similar problem, found some shower/tub liner/surround thing that just slid over top of the old one.  Looked good, but not very custom (ex. molded white plastic looked like tile but wasn’t really).  Good cheap solution to “reno” before they sold their place however.

Astute Observer - 19 August 2008 05:42 AM

I think they must have installed it when it was half complete, and very open.  Thanx everyone.

The fiberglass tub/shower and 3 wall splash combo is all one piece. The splash walls have a simulated tile pattern. The unit is installed during stick framing stage. It is common to frame the last wall where the door opening is after the fiberglass enclosure installation. The edges of the enclosure are flanges to receive the moisture resistant drywall. Drywall never goes behind the fiberglass enclosure. I do not recommend removing the fiberglass enclosure because the domino reaction is usually way more than what the home owner has anticipated. Drywall repair, proper backing for a new unit and flooring are a lot of work unless one can locate an exact same size item and fits the door opening. There is a paste compound for patching fiberglass and harden to similar strength for waterproofing and normal wear and tear. Rarely do I see holes in fiberglass enclosure but many people do not like the scratches. Fiberglass could be buffed to remove scratches.

I guess I need to make sure my wife won’t be too upset if I ever need to get a new spouse.

bkshopr - 19 August 2008 03:44 PM

Astute Observer - 19 August 2008 05:42 AM

I think they must have installed it when it was half complete, and very open.  Thanx everyone.

The fiberglass tub/shower and 3 wall splash combo is all one piece. The splash walls have a simulated tile pattern. The unit is installed during stick framing stage. It is common to frame the last wall where the door opening is after the fiberglass enclosure installation. The edges of the enclosure are flanges to receive the moisture resistant drywall. Drywall never goes behind the fiberglass enclosure. I do not recommend removing the fiberglass enclosure because the domino reaction is usually way more than what the home owner has anticipated. Drywall repair, proper backing for a new unit and flooring are a lot of work unless one can locate an exact same size item and fits the door opening. There is a paste compound for patching fiberglass and harden to similar strength for waterproofing and normal wear and tear. Rarely do I see holes in fiberglass enclosure but many people do not like the scratches. Fiberglass could be buffed to remove scratches.

Yeah… what that guy said. He detailed the point that I thought it was to the tee. Now, if we could only teach him what the hell a condo is, all in the IHB world would be perfect.

Why install a 1 piece?  You can usually get 3 pieces, but If it were me, I’d install some nice marble units or IF space was available (and it was a tub/shower), i’d install some sort of whirlpool unit…. ohhhhhh….

-bix

biscuitninja - 20 August 2008 03:07 PM

Why install a 1 piece?  You can usually get 3 pieces, but If it were me, I’d install some nice marble units or IF space was available (and it was a tub/shower), i’d install some sort of whirlpool unit…. ohhhhhh….

-bix

Waterproofing, mold, and liability are the reasons why builders prefer a one piece installation. When the shower enclosure is relying on separate wall panels of different material such as stone or manufactured composite detachment at the caulked joints are the places where water will seep in behind the panels and forms mold and fungus that attacks the wood studs. All caulked joints will eventually fail and is not a reliable waterproofing membrane.

Most upscale hotels have fancy stone shower enclosures but the hotels employed a team of maintenance crew to repair cracks asap unlike most homeowners tend to defer repairs. Fiberglass is the cheapest and also provides the best water protection. The most important aspect is its durability and no brainer installation. No special craftsmanship or trade knowledge is required so a couple of Mexican day laborers could do the job relatively well. The only drawback is the day laborers will not take the care to protect the surface during installation so scratches are quite common.

BK I know… I just don’t like the one piece fiberglass (feeble-glass) tubs.  After a while they crack/chip/fatigue split also and on top of you, as you realize, its a one piece.  Taking that sucker out and replacing it is going to be a PITA.

Besides, I’d like to have a nicer unit in my house…. for renters… ehh. 

good luck
-bix

ohh forgot, if the crack is minor, you can use fiberglass resin epoxy or just 2 part expoxy to seal it.  Just be sure to clean it and sand surface to clean it up.

biscuitninja - 21 August 2008 02:11 PM

BK I know… I just don’t like the one piece fiberglass (feeble-glass) tubs.  After a while they crack/chip/fatigue split also and on top of you, as you realize, its a one piece.  Taking that sucker out and replacing it is going to be a PITA.

Besides, I’d like to have a nicer unit in my house…. for renters… ehh. 

good luck
-bix

ohh forgot, if the crack is minor, you can use fiberglass resin epoxy or just 2 part expoxy to seal it.  Just be sure to clean it and sand surface to clean it up.

Sounded like the builder screwed up your no brainer fiberglass tub installation. There should be a glob of mortar set on the floor so the tub or shower is placed directly on top of it to eliminate any tub sagging caused by water and body (bodies) weight. Having a gap between the two could be a potential problem. Like I said very few took the care in installation and transporting it so most damages seen were not from wear and tear by the homeowner but from a careless installation where hairline cracks were already present at the back side and finally becoming visible as the cracks reached the surface.