Replacing a Cracked Tub With a Delta 500 and NexTile Walls

A cracked tub, patched with waterproof Gorilla Tape, started a bathroom renovation in a Joshua Tree cabin. The owner, Mike Montgomery, replaced the old tub and shower insert with a Delta 500 series deep soak bathtub and a Bootz NexTile prefab shower wall system with molded subway tile and a storage niche that needs no framing changes.

Demolition

Before touching any plumbing, he turned the water main off at the road. He removed the knobs, overflow, tub spout, drain and shower arm. Without a drain wrench he used two screwdrivers to unscrew the drain. He cut away a couple of inches of drywall around the shower walls to expose the flange, then made a plunge cut with a circular saw to separate the fiberglass walls from the tub, finishing with a multi-tool. The wall's core turned out to be corrugated cardboard. He notes he should have worn a mask and gloves.

Plumbing changes

He swapped the three-knob valve for a single-handle one. A pipe cutter could not work in the tight space, so he cut the copper square with an angle grinder and a metal cutoff wheel, then cleaned burrs with sandpaper. SharkBite push-to-connect fittings transitioned the copper to half-inch PEX, and he found one did not feel locked until the PEX was pushed in. The valve, shower-head drop ear and hand-shower outlet got 2×4 blocking, with two 2x4s behind the drop ear. Half-inch NPT adapters with plenty of Teflon tape connected the PEX, and crimp rings joined the rest. He says a PEX tool kit costs about 30 bucks. With the water back on, plugging each outlet in turn showed no leaks.

Setting the tub

The tub needed part of a 2×4 stud removed so it could pivot into place, and he planed and ground high framing. The drain had to sit 9 inches off the wall and 2 inches off the floor, and the overflow center 13 3/4 inches above the top of the drain piece. Because it is a deep soak tub, the overflow piece needed to be longer. After a dry fit he primed twice and glued the PVC, holding each joint 10 to 15 seconds. He would choose an adjustable screw-tight drain next time. He used silicone at the drain and overflow, laid construction adhesive beneath the plastic frame, pre-drilled, and screwed the tub to studs with 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inch zinc-plated screws. A leak test of the drain came back dry.

Shower walls

The back wall ships in two pieces, and the taller surround covered an old window, so he cut away its handle. The panels lock together, and he cut openings for the valve and fixtures with a Forstner bit and multi-tool, drilling halfway from the back and finishing from the face for a cleaner cut. He recommends a flat-topped tub for this wall system. The finished surround was sealed with 100% silicone, not latex.

The niche

The angled back wall creates the niche without altering the lumber behind it. Standard and medium bottles fit, but a big bottle like some Dove soap would likely sit past the ledge.