Bathtub Replacement in Raleigh, NC
Pull the old tub and set a new one in the same spot, without redoing the whole room. Tell us about your bathroom and we connect you with a local Raleigh contractor who will contact you for a free estimate.
No cost and no obligation. Tell us about your project and a local contractor will reach out to talk it through.
What bathtub replacement involves
Replacing a tub keeps the layout and swaps the tub itself. The water is shut off, the drain and overflow are disconnected, and the old tub is pulled out. The new tub is leveled and set on a proper bed, the new drain and overflow are connected and tested, and the wall finish around it is repaired.
That last part is the one people underestimate. An alcove tub has a flange that tucks behind the bottom of the wall tile or surround, so the lowest course of tile usually has to come off and be replaced. If the tile is old and no longer made, it can make sense to redo the whole tub surround at the same time.
Getting the old tub out is its own job. A fiberglass or acrylic tub is light and often cut out. An old cast-iron tub weighs several hundred pounds and is usually broken up in place. In many 1990s and 2000s Raleigh homes, the tub is a drop-in soaking tub set in a tiled deck, so the deck has to be opened and rebuilt around the replacement.
The parts of the job
Alcove tubs
The standard five-foot tub between three walls. The most common replacement, typically acrylic, enameled steel or cast iron.
Drop-in tubs
Set into a built deck or platform, often found in primary baths. Replacing one means working with the deck as well as the tub.
Freestanding tubs
Stand on their own with a floor- or wall-mounted filler. Moving to one usually means new supply lines and a relocated drain.
When replacing the tub makes sense
The finish is cracked, chipped or stained past what refinishing can fix.
There are signs of a leak: soft floor in front of the tub, stains on the ceiling below, or a loose drain.
You want a deeper soaking tub, or a smaller, simpler one in place of a large garden tub.
What you get
- New tub without redoing the whole bathroom
- A chance to fix hidden leaks at the drain and overflow
- Material and size you actually want
- New drain, overflow and often a new valve trim
How a bathtub replacement project usually runs
Measure and choose
Exact alcove size, drain side and the tub's height and depth.
Protect and remove
Floors protected, lower wall finish removed, old tub disconnected and taken out.
Inspect the subfloor
Check for water damage under and around the old tub and repair it.
Set the new tub
Leveled on a mortar or foam bed, drain and overflow connected and tested.
Repair the walls
Backer board and waterproofing where needed, then tile or surround reinstalled.
Finish
Fixture trim, caulk, cleanup.
What to think about first
- Measure carefully: tubs come with left- or right-hand drains, and a different drain side means plumbing changes.
- Make sure the new tub fits through the doorway and up the stairs. It sounds obvious, and it has stopped plenty of projects on delivery day.
- A cast-iron tub is heavy when full. Second-floor installs are worth a quick look at the framing.
- Like-for-like replacement may not need a building permit under North Carolina law, but changing or moving plumbing generally does. Confirm with the City of Raleigh.
Bathtub Replacement questions
Can a new tub be installed without replacing the wall tile?
Sometimes the bottom row or two can be removed and replaced with matching tile. If the tile is discontinued, many homeowners redo the tub surround at the same time.
What tub materials are there?
Acrylic is light and warm to the touch. Enameled steel is affordable and durable. Cast iron is heavy, quiet and holds heat well. Your contractor can talk through which fits your floor and budget.
How long does bathtub replacement take?
Often a few days, depending on how much wall finish has to be redone and how long the tile needs to cure.
Should I replace my garden tub with a shower instead?
If nobody uses the tub, a tub to shower conversion may be the better project. If you want a tub, a smaller freestanding tub can free up space and look better than a large drop-in.
Can my old tub just be refinished?
Refinishing can work for worn surfaces on a sound tub. It doesn't fix cracks, leaks or an outdated size or shape.
Are you a contractor?
No. We're a referral service that connects you with an independent local contractor who contacts you for an estimate.
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Bathtub Replacement near Raleigh
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