Custom Tile Tub-to-Shower Conversions for Midvale, UT Homes
Converting a bathtub to a waterproofed porcelain tile walk-in shower in Midvale, UT (84047) costs $9,900 to $17,200 and finishes in 5 to 8 working days. Unlike hollow 1-day acrylic inserts that trap moisture over old drywall, Urban Design & Remodel (Utah DOPL #10146123-5501, (801) 440-1952) strips alcoves to the studs, upgrades 1.5-inch drains to 2-inch code traps, and installs Schluter-KERDI waterproofing with 3/8-inch EnduroShield glass.
Across Midvale's 84047 neighborhoods, two bathtub styles frustrate homeowners daily: deep, narrow 1950s cast-iron alcove tubs in Midvale Park and Hillcrest cottages whose 16-inch step-over rims create serious slip hazards, and bulky 1990s fiberglass corner tubs in Fort Union and Union Woods that devour floor space while rarely getting filled. National bath-in-a-day marketers pitch glued-up plastic wall surrounds as a shortcut, yet covering uninspected Midvale framing and undersized 1.5-inch drains invites hidden mold and sluggish drainage. In 5 to 8 clean workdays, our licensed team builds a rock-solid, custom-tiled walk-in shower engineered for permanent waterproofing.
Safe Cast-Iron Demolition & Subfloor Leveling in 84047 Homes
Removing a 350-pound enameled cast-iron tub from a tight 5x7 Midvale Park bungalow—or hauling a fiberglass garden deck down narrow Bingham Junction townhome stairs—requires surgical care so door jambs and hallway flooring stay unscathed. Once the old tub is extracted, we inspect the exposed subfloor and wall cavities. In older Midvale homes where decades of tub-spout splash rotted plank subfloors around the overflow shoe, we cut back damaged wood, sister 2x8 or 2x10 floor joists, fasten new 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove Advantech subflooring, and plane crooked wall studs flat so large-format porcelain tile sits laser-plumb without thick mortar build-up.
- Dust-sealed extraction of 350-lb cast-iron alcove tubs and oversized 1990s garden tubs
- Rotten subfloor replacement with moisture-resistant 3/4-inch Advantech structural panels
- Laser-shimmed wall framing ensuring crisp 90-degree corners for frameless glass doors
Utah IPC 2-Inch Drain Conversion & Modern Shower Valve Rough-In
Every bathtub in Midvale was originally plumbed with a 1.5-inch waste arm and overflow assembly designed to empty standing bathwater slowly—not handle continuous flow from modern overhead rain heads and handheld body wands. Under the International Plumbing Code adopted by Utah and enforced by Midvale City Building & Safety, any tub-to-shower conversion requires upgrading the fixture drain and P-trap to a minimum 2-inch diameter. Our licensed plumbers access the joist bay or crawlspace, remove old brass drum traps or 1.5-inch ABS fittings, install a new 2-inch solvent-welded P-trap aligned with your new center or offset linear drain, and set a solid-brass pressure-balanced valve at comfortable standing reach.
- Code-required 2-inch PVC/ABS P-trap and bonding-flange shower drain installation
- Elimination of antique Midvale drum traps and corroded galvanized tub-spout risers
- Optional dual-diverter brass valves operating both fixed overhead and handheld slide-bar sprayers
100% Sealed Schluter-KERDI Membranes & Porcelain Tile Craftsmanship
Acrylic liner companies conceal joints with surface beads of silicone caulk that peel and mildew under Midvale's 14 to 18 GPG hard water. By contrast, we construct a monolithic waterproof envelope behind the tile using Schluter-KERDI-BOARD walls, pre-sloped high-density shower trays (pitched precisely at 1/4 inch per foot), and heat-welded or thin-set-bonded KERDI-BAND seam strips. After plugging the 2-inch drain and passing a 24-hour flood test, our tile setters install slip-rated DCOF ≥ 0.42 mosaic or linear-sloped porcelain pan tile, rectified 12x24 or 24x48 porcelain walls, mitered or Schluter-QUADEC metal edge trims, and stain-proof quartz-urethane grout.
- Zero exposed drywall or raw cement board—vapor-impermeable from pan to ceiling
- Custom recessed shampoo niches pitched 1/8 inch forward so water never puddles on shelves
- Solid 3cm engineered quartz threshold curbs and corner foot rests with eased edges
Curbless Accessibility, ADA Blocking & 5–8 Day Turnaround
Converting a tub is the single highest-impact accessibility upgrade you can make for aging in place in Hillcrest or Union Woods. Depending on joist direction beneath your bathroom, we can drop the subfloor to create a flush zero-threshold curbless entry with a stainless linear trench drain, or install an ultra-low 3.25-inch beveled quartz curb that cuts step-over height by nearly 80% compared to a standard tub. Every conversion includes solid 2x10 horizontal wood blocking framed behind the tile at 34 inches AFF—giving future or immediate ADA grab bars and fold-down teak benches 300+ pounds of structural support—completed in 5 to 8 days.
- Step-over height reduced from 15–17 inches down to 0 inches (curbless) or 3.25 inches (low curb)
- Concealed 2x10 structural wood blocking for designer grab bars that match PVD faucet trim
- 3/8-inch heavy frameless tempered glass bypass or pivot doors coated with EnduroShield
Midvale Tub-to-Shower Conversion Packages & Engineering Specs
| Conversion Configuration | Ideal Midvale Footprint | Key Technical Inclusions | Installed 84047 Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 60x30 Low-Curb Alcove | Hillcrest / Midvale Park Hall Baths | Cast-iron demo, 2" drain, KERDI system, porcelain tile, 3/8" glass | $9,900 – $13,800 |
| Accessible Safety Walk-In Suite | Aging-in-Place Ramblers & Condos | Ultra-low or curbless entry, 2 ADA grab bars, handheld wand, bench | $11,800 – $16,400 |
| Garden-Tub to Oversized Walk-In | Fort Union / Union Woods Masters | 42x60+ deck removal, dual shower heads, built-in heated tile bench | $13,500 – $18,900 |
| Zero-Threshold Linear Drain Spa | Custom Remodels & Bingham Junction | Recessed joist bay, Schluter KERDI-LINE drain, 24x48 slab-look tile | $14,800 – $20,500 |
Grant Helmer's Utah Field Pro-Tip (DOPL #10146123-5501)
In narrow 5-foot-wide Midvale cottage bathrooms where an outward-swinging glass pivot door would clip the toilet bowl, don't settle for a clingy shower curtain. We install smooth-gliding 3/8-inch frameless barn-style bypass glass sliders on heavy stainless rollers—giving wide entry clearance in compact spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions: Tub To Shower Conversion Midvale Ut
Why does a real porcelain tile conversion only take 5 to 8 days vs. weeks?
Unlike full gut bathroom remodels that relocate toilets, vanities, and lighting across the room, a dedicated tub-to-shower conversion focuses strictly inside the 60-inch wet zone. Pre-staging your tile, Schluter pan, and brass valve in our nearby West Jordan shop eliminates supply delays.
Can you convert a cast-iron tub over a Midvale crawlspace into a curbless shower?
Yes—crawlspace foundations in Midvale Park and Hillcrest are actually ideal for curbless conversions because our crew can access floor joists from underneath to install structural drop cleats, recess the subfloor flush, and route the new 2-inch P-trap cleanly.
How do you keep 14–18 GPG Midvale hard water from staining the new shower grout?
We pair large-format rectified porcelain tiles (using crisp 1/16-inch grout joints) with non-porous quartz-urethane or epoxy grout such as Mapei Flexcolor CQ or Laticrete Spectralock, which repels mineral deposits and soap scum without periodic resealing.
Is your tub-to-shower conversion covered by a waterproofing warranty?
Yes. Every conversion is backed by Urban Design & Remodel's written workmanship warranty alongside Schluter Systems' manufacturer waterproof warranty, plus lifetime PVD finish and cartridge warranties from brands like Delta and Kohler.
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