Can you remove shower base?

Quick Answer

Yes, it is possible to remove a shower base, but it can be a difficult and labor-intensive process. The key steps involve removing any surrounding tile, detaching the shower base from the subfloor, removing drain pipes, prying the base loose, disposing of the old base, and preparing the area for a new base. Proper tools like pry bars, reciprocating saws, hammers, and chisels are needed. Patience and care are also required to avoid damaging the surrounding bathroom. Hiring a professional is highly recommended for shower base removal.

What is a Shower Base?

A shower base, also called a shower pan, is the floor of a shower enclosure. It slopes slightly downward toward the drain and has a watertight surface to contain water spray and prevent leaks. Shower bases are typically constructed from materials like acrylic, fiberglass, porcelain, cultured marble, or vinyl. They create the foundation for tile, stone, or other decorative shower floor finishes. The shower base is a key functional and structural component of a bathing space.

Why Remove a Shower Base?

There are several reasons you may need or want to remove an existing shower base:

• To replace a damaged or leaking shower base
• To change the size or style of the shower
• To update old colors or materials
• To access plumbing or subfloor issues
• To completely remodel a bathroom

Removing and replacing a failing or outdated shower base is part of many bathroom renovation projects. The process allows for a fresh new start.

Can You Remove a Shower Base Yourself?

Removing a shower base is technically a do-it-yourself project, but it’s an extremely difficult one. Here are some key challenges:

• Heavy materials – Bases are bulky, rigid, and weigh hundreds of pounds.
• Labor-intensive process – Demolition, prying, carrying, disposal.
• Plumbing disconnection – Drain pipes must be removed.
• Risk of damage – Surrounding structures like walls and subfloor are prone to harm.
• Safety issues – Sharp debris, fumes, mold, chemicals.

Without proper tools, strength, and construction know-how, DIY shower base removal can easily go wrong. Many homeowners choose to hire a professional rather than tackle this demanding project solo.

How to Remove a Shower Base

Here is an overview of the shower base removal process:

1. Turn off water supplies and drain all plumbing.
2. Detach and remove surrounding tiles or decorative finishes.
3. Disconnect and remove drain pipe from the base.
4. Pry base loose from subfloor with pry bar and hammer.
5. Break base into smaller pieces for removal if necessary.
6. Carry base pieces outside for disposal.
7. Clean and prepare subfloor for new base installation.

Key tools needed include pry bars, hammers, reciprocating saws, chisels, buckets, and a wheelbarrow or cart. Safety gear like gloves, eye protection, dust mask, and ear protection are also essential.

The process takes time, physical exertion, and very careful prying work to avoid collateral damage. Patience and persistence are required to fully remove an adhered shower base.

Step 1 – Turn Off Water and Drain Plumbing

Start by turning off the main water lines feeding the shower and any individual shut-off valves. Open the shower valve to allow drainage from the supply pipes. Thoroughly drain all plumbing before beginning demolition. Check for hidden supply lines you may need to disconnect.

Step 2 – Remove Surrounding Materials

Carefully detach any surround materials like tile, fiberglass, or marble from the walls, thresholds, and around the base perimeter. Use a utility knife, chisel, pry bar, or hammer and wide flat bar to pop materials free. Remove all debris.

Step 3 – Disconnect Drain Pipe

Find the drain pipe under the base that connects to the main waste line. Loosen any nuts or couplings and detach the pipe. You may need to cut through the pipe with a reciprocating saw to fully disconnect it.

Step 4 – Pry Up Base

Insert pry bars under the lip of the base and carefully pry upwards. Apply steady force to slowly pop it free from the subfloor. Rocking back and forth usually helps release the adhesion. Avoid prying too aggressively to prevent subfloor damage.

Step 5 – Break Up Base

If the base won’t pry up in one piece, use a hammer and chisel to break it up into smaller sections for easier removal. Wear eye protection and gloves when breaking up shower base materials.

Step 6 – Remove Pieces

Carry base sections outside to dispose in a waste bin. The pieces will be heavy and bulky. You may need to make many trips to fully clear out all base debris. A wheelbarrow can help transport heavy loads.

Step 7 – Clean and Prepare

With the base gone, thoroughly clean the exposed subfloor. Fill any holes or divots with floor leveling compound if needed to create a smooth, even surface for the new shower base.

Hiring a Professional

For most homeowners, hiring a professional contractor is the smartest option for shower base removal. Here are some key benefits:

• Saves huge amounts of time and labor.
• No need to rent or buy costly demolition tools.
• Less risk of accidental damage to surrounding bathroom.
• Professionals have expertise to handle plumbing disconnection.
• Proper debris disposal at a regulated site.

Look for a licensed and insured contractor with proven experience replacing shower bases and bathroom remodeling. Be sure to check reviews and references. Get a detailed written quote for the project scope.

Cost to Remove a Shower Base

Removing and replacing a shower base costs $1,500 to $3,500 or more professionally. Here are some typical service costs:

• Shower base tear out and disposal – $500 to $1,500
• New acrylic or tile shower base installation – $1,000 to $2,000

Extra costs may include subfloor repair, new plumbing, tile, fixtures, walls, and adding or moving drainage. As a major part of a full bathroom remodel, base removal could contribute $5,000 or more to the total price.

Can You Remove Shower Base Without Damaging Walls?

Removing a shower base without damaging the surrounding bathroom walls takes great care, patience, and the right technique. Here are some tips to help avoid wall damage:

• Remove all wall finish materials first so walls are exposed.
• Use pry bars and work slowly to break adhesive bond without prying too hard.
• Wedge wood blocks under base edges as you pry to prevent tool slippage.
• Break base into smaller pieces for gentler removal if needed.
• Inspect walls and subfloor as you go and stop if any damage occurs.

Even with great care, some minor wall repairs may be needed after shower base removal. The contractor should inspect and fix any cosmetic or structural issues before installing the new base.

Can You Remove Fiberglass Shower Base Easily?

Fiberglass is one of the most difficult shower base materials to remove. Unlike acrylic, fiberglass bases are fully bonded to the subfloor versus just set in place. Here’s why fiberglass base removal is so challenging:

• Very strong adhesion to subfloor – Nearly impossible to pry up in one piece.
• Tends to crack and break apart – Must be broken up and removed in fragments.
• Fibrous dust debris – Messy and requires thorough cleanup.
• Can only be disposed of at specialty waste sites – Not regular landfills.

Removing a fiberglass shower base takes extra time, labor, and care compared to other materials. The glass fibers also present safety risks. Consider hiring a professional rather than DIY fiberglass base tear out.

What’s Needed to Remove Ceramic Tile Shower Base?

Ceramic tile shower bases require meticulous removal of each brittle tile piece:

• Goggles, gloves, pry bar, hammer
• Reciprocating saw with tile blade to cut through grout
• Putty knife to pry up individual tiles
• Trash bags for all tile shards and debris
• Shop vacuum to control dust

Take precautions when handling broken tile pieces since the razor-sharp edges pose safety hazards and cut risks. The tile demolition process is slow and painstaking. Proper debris cleanup is also critical. Removing a tile shower base has unique challenges versus other material types.

Can You Remove Acrylic Shower Base Easily?

Acrylic bases are one of the easiest shower pan materials to remove. Here’s why:

• Acrylic is flexible and won’t easily crack apart.
• The material is light and can be carried in large sections.
• Low adhesion makes prying up the acrylic base simpler.
• Easier to throw away since it’s inert plastic versus chemicals.

With care and proper tools, an acrylic base can potentially be removed whole in one piece. At a minimum, it can be pried up and taken out in a few large sections versus hundreds of fragments. Acrylic is one of the most DIY-friendly shower base material options to demolish.

Can You Remove Cultured Marble Shower Base?

Cultured marble shower bases can be removed, but the material poses some challenges:

• Very heavy and dense – Hard to carry and dispose of.
• Brittle gelcoat surface – Chips, cracks, and flakes apart.
• Chemical composition – Can’t go to regular landfills.
• Typically well adhered – Difficult to pry up from subfloor.

The cultured marble demolition process tends to be slow, messy, and labor-intensive. The material also requires special disposal considerations due to its chemical makeup. Hiring a professional is advisable over DIY removal of a cultured marble shower base.

Conclusion

Removing an existing shower base is certainly possible as part of a bathroom remodel, but presents difficulties. With persistence and the proper tools and precautions, a home DIYer can tackle shower base demolition and replacement. However, hiring a professional contractor is strongly recommended for most homeowners. The project requires considerable construction skills and strength to complete fully and safely. Shower base removal should only be attempted with a plan in place for prompt and proper installation of the new replacement base. With care and patience, even this challenging renovation step can be successfully overcome.