Why a liner over your old tub in Fountain City is a cover-up, not a conversion
A tub to shower conversion Knoxville homeowners can count on starts with a demolition crew, not a liner crew. Bath Fitter's Knoxville page describes its system. It is a new tub or shower and wall system “directly over your existing one”. Bath Planet's Knoxville page promises results “in as little as 24 hours”. It does not say what happens to the old tub.
| Question | Cover-up or liner | Full replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Old tub and drain | Stay in place under the new surface | Removed, with a new drain and trap |
| Hidden leaks or rot | Stay hidden | Floor and wall opened and checked |
| Step height and layout | Set by the old tub | Low curb or curbless where framing allows |
| Waterproofing | Surface system over old walls | Pan and membrane built from the studs out |
| Timeline | Franchise pages claim about a day | Several working days, since waterproofing must cure |
One honest limit: if your tub is sound and you only want new surfaces, a cover-up may be enough. It will not lower your step.
Tub to walk in shower conversion Knoxville TN, sized for a Fountain City bathroom
Fountain City sits in northern Knoxville, about 6 miles from downtown, along Broadway (US 441) and Tazewell Pike. It had passed 30,000 residents by the 1950s. So many homes off those roads are older, with small bathrooms where a tub fills the back wall.
A bathtub to shower conversion Knoxville crews quote for that room usually keeps the same footprint. The tub's length becomes the shower floor. A linen closet next door can lend elbow room.
What a Fountain City conversion includes, from first measurement to final water test
Remove tub install shower Knoxville TN: the full scope
- Floor protection from the front door in
- Tub, surround and old drain removed
- Subfloor and joist repair
- A new drain, trap and a valve on the long wall
- A sloped pan with waterproofing up the walls
- Blocking for grab bars
- Tile, grout, an optional seat, and glass or a curtain rod
Three kinds of conversion for Fountain City bathrooms, and who each one suits
Replace tub with shower Knoxville TN: the standard low curb walk in
The most common conversion. The tub's footprint becomes a shower with a low curb and a glass panel or curtain. It suits households that want an easier step without reworking the floor or moving walls. The differentiator: the drain often stays close to where it was.
So the plumbing work stays modest and the schedule predictable.
Curbless conversion for walkers and wheelchairs
The floor slopes into the drain with no lip to cross. It suits anyone who uses a walker or may need a wheelchair later. It looks open in a small room. The differentiator is the floor. It usually has to be lowered. On joist framing we confirm that is possible before promising it to you.
Senior tub to shower conversion Knoxville TN with a seat and grab bar blocking
Solid blocking goes behind the wall before tile, so grab bars anchor into wood, not tile. A bench, handheld sprayer and textured floor tile complete it. It suits older adults who want to keep bathing without help, and families planning ahead for a parent. The differentiator: we plan for bars you may add later.
Signs the tub in your 37918 or 37912 home has run its course
- You grip the wall to climb over the tub, or you have slipped.
- The floor around the tub feels soft.
- The caulk keeps failing and the wall is stained.
Most tub to shower conversions Knoxville wide begin with a call about knees, not style. Fountain City is served by ZIP codes 37918 and 37912. Falls are a real local risk, as the Knox County record below shows.
From the Broadway curb to the last drip test: the order we work in
- Walk the bathroom with you and measure it.
- Shut off the water and protect the floors.
- Remove the tub, surround and old drain.
- Inspect the floor, joists and wall framing.
- Set the new drain, valve and wall blocking.
- Build the sloped pan and waterproof the walls.
- Flood test the pan before any tile goes on.
- Install tile, grout and glass, then test the water.
I-640 forms the southern edge of Fountain City, and Broadway or Tazewell Pike gets the crew to your door.
What moves the schedule and the bill on a Fountain City conversion
A standard low curb tub to shower remodel Knoxville TN homeowners ask for takes several working days. Waterproofing has to cure before tile. Five things move the schedule and the cost:
- Whether the drain stays where it is
- Whether the floor needs repair
- Curb or curbless
- Tile size and pattern
- Glass versus a curtain
The free in-home estimate sets all five out in writing.
Three fears Fountain City homeowners bring up before the tub comes out
Objection: A liner costs less and finishes in a day
It moves faster, and it keeps the old drain, floor and any hidden damage. A lower step needs the tub gone.
Objection: I only have one tub and buyers want one
Fair. If it is your only tub, think about resale first. Many households convert one bathroom and keep a tub in the other.
Objection: I am afraid of what you will find behind the wall
So are we, which is why we open it first. Rot is cheaper to fix before tile goes over it. We show you, and you decide.
Where we offer this, from Fountain City to Farragut and every town in between
We convert tubs across Knoxville, including Fountain City, Bearden, Sequoyah Hills, Old North Knoxville and South Knoxville. Outside the city we serve Farragut, Maryville, Alcoa, Oak Ridge and Lenoir City. See every town on our service area map and list.
Our office is at 9000 Executive Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37923. If you would rather keep a tub, read about swapping an old cast iron or fiberglass tub. If the shower you have is the problem, see rebuilding a leaking or dated shower. For the whole room, see our full Knoxville bathroom remodeling work.
What you can hold us to on a Fountain City tub conversion
- A local crew, demolition to final water test.
- Licensed and insured. Knox County has adopted Tennessee's home improvement license law for remodeling from $3,000 to $24,999. Check any contractor on Verify.tn.gov.
- A free in-home estimate with the scope in writing.
- A written warranty. Read the terms on our warranty page.
- Call only: (865) 298-9333, Monday to Saturday.
Knox County's own record: 4,900 hospital visits for senior falls in one year
Picture six in the morning: wet floor, low light, a tub wall at knee height.
The Knox County Health Department's May 18, 2021 release cites its Community Health Assessment. In 2017, falls caused 68 deaths and more than 4,900 hospital visits among Knox County adults 65 and older. The fall death rate for that group more than doubled from 2015 to 2017.
The CDC adds that 68.3 percent of nonfatal bathroom injuries happen at the tub or shower.
A careful crew answers that data one fix at a time. Remove the tub. Lower the entry. Block the wall for grab bars. Add a seat. Texture the floor. No honest contractor promises a fall proof shower. Lesson: step height is a decision you make before the fall, not after.
Fountain City to West Knoxville: answers before you call about a tub to shower conversion
Do I need a permit for a tub to shower conversion in Knoxville?
Often yes, depending on scope. Inside city limits, permits come through Plans Review and Building Inspections, and unincorporated Knox County permits separately. Bathroom Remodeling Knoxville confirms the right office before a conversion starts. Call (865) 298-9333 and we will check your address.
How long will my bathroom be out of use?
Plan on several working days for a standard conversion. Waterproofing has to cure and pass a flood test before tile goes on. That is why one day claims do not apply to a full replacement. A curbless entry or moved drain takes longer. You get the schedule at the estimate.
Can I replace tub with shower Knoxville TN style and still sell easily?
Yes, if the house keeps a tub somewhere. Many buyers with young children want one. So a second bathroom with a tub protects resale. If this is your only tub, call Bathroom Remodeling Knoxville at (865) 298-9333 before you commit. We will talk through resale with you.
What does a tub to shower conversion usually cost?
HomeAdvisor's published national range runs from roughly $2,000 to $10,500. That is an average, not a quote. Layout, drain location, floor repair and tile choice move the number in Knoxville. Call (865) 298-9333 to confirm for your bathroom after a free in-home look at the space.
Can the new shower be bigger than the old tub?
Often, yes. The tub footprint is the starting point. A shallow linen closet beside it can add room. Bathroom Remodeling Knoxville checks what sits behind the wall, including plumbing and wiring, before promising any extra space. So you never pay for a layout the walls cannot hold.
Will you have to move my plumbing?
Not always. The valve usually moves to the long wall, while the drain stays close to where it was. If your house sits on a slab, drain moves cost more than over a basement or crawlspace. We check the access under your bathroom first, then explain the options.
What if you find rot or mold when the tub comes out?
We stop, show you, and explain the repair before anything else happens. Fixing damaged framing now is far cheaper than tiling over it. The Tennessee Department of Health notes that porous materials such as drywall usually need replacing once soaked. You approve any added work first.
How do I check a contractor before hiring?
Look the contractor up on Verify.tn.gov. A license should be on file for remodeling jobs of $3,000 and up in Knox County. Ask for proof of insurance and a written warranty, and get the scope in writing before any deposit.
Ready to take the tub out and walk in?
Tell us the bathroom and what bothers you most. Call (865) 298-9333, Monday to Saturday, for a free in-home estimate with no obligation.
Call (865) 298-9333