How to replace a bath with a shower

on Nov 09, 2026

in Bathroom & Sanitary, DIY Guides & Building Tips

Short answer: in many bathrooms you can replace a bath with a shower in the same spot, using the existing water connections and drain. Removing the bath, fitting a shower tray on a usable drain and mounting a shower screen are realistic jobs for a handy DIYer. If the drain has to be moved, you want a level walk-in shower with a linear drain, or pipes in the wall need relocating, that is work for a professional. This guide explains how to prepare, which options you have and where things often go wrong in practice.

Also available in Dutch: Hoe vervang je een bad door een douche?.

Why do so many people choose a shower instead of a bath?

A shower takes up less space, is easier to keep clean and has a low step-in. That last point helps older people, but also families with small children and anyone who wants to plan ahead. A shower also usually uses less water than a full bath. Still unsure whether a shower suits your bathroom? Read our buying guide on shower enclosure or walk-in shower first.

Dated bathroom with built-in bathtub, pedestal basin and beige tiles

Step 1: measure and check what is behind the bath

A bath is usually 170 or 180 cm long and 70 to 80 cm wide. That space often fits a 120 x 90 cm rectangular shower or a recess with a sliding door. Measure the length, width and height of the recess and check whether the walls are square and plumb.

Even more important is what you cannot see. If possible, look through the access panel in the bath panel at:

The drain: where is it and how much height is there under the bath? A shower tray with a trap needs a few centimetres of installation height; a level shower floor needs a fall towards the drain or channel.
The water connections: are the bath tap connections at a usable height for a shower tap? An exposed tap usually needs a centre distance of 15 cm.
The wall behind the bath: tiles often stop just above the rim of the bath, and the wall below is not waterproofed.

⚠️ Shut off the water supply before you disconnect anything, and check with a multifunction wall detector where pipes and cables run in the wall before you drill or chisel.

Step 2: choose the type of shower

Solution	When it works well	DIY?
Shower tray with screen or enclosure	the drain is in a good position, you want a quick result	yes, with experience
Shower tray in a recess with sliding door	the bath recess is long and narrow	yes, with experience
Level walk-in shower with linear drain	you want step-free and sleek	preferably a professional

A complete set makes it easier. The Tako Slim shower tray set 90 x 90 with siphon is low and comes with the trap included. A spacious rectangular enclosure such as the Brasco shower enclosure 120 x 90 often fits exactly in the space of a short bath. Prefer an open shower? The Mille walk-in shower 120 x 90 is a sleek choice. In a long recess, a sliding door such as the Crea shower wall with sliding door 140 x 200 works well. A level shower floor needs a Tako linear drain, but that requires a fall and waterproofing; read our blog on fitting a linear shower drain: DIY or professional for more.

Step 3: remove the bath

Shut off the water and open the tap to release the pressure.
Remove the bath tap and cut through the silicone joints. Remove leftover sealant with a Fila Zero Sil silicone remover.
Carefully take down the bath panel, for example with a crowbar 600 mm. Watch out for pipes and the drain.
Disconnect the drain and cap it temporarily against sewer smells.
Lift the bath out with at least two people. A steel bath is heavy, a cast-iron bath much heavier still. If in doubt, get help or call in a professional.

Step 4: waterproof, tile and install

The substrate behind and under the old bath is rarely ready for a shower. A shower area must be waterproof before you tile. With sealing tape such as Kerakoll Aquastop 120 sealing tape in the corners and a liquid waterproofing such as Kerakoll Aquastop Flex on wall and floor, you create a closed system. Then tile with a flexible adhesive such as Kerakoll H40 tile adhesive. Read more in our blog on waterproofing a wet room and in our blog on tiling a bathroom.

Set the shower tray level and fully supported, connect the trap and test the drain with a bucket of water before you seal. Then fit the screen or enclosure following the instructions. A Zen thermostatic shower tap keeps the temperature constant and is safer than a standard mixer.

💡 Only seal when everything is dry and grease-free. Use sanitary silicone sealant with a sealant gun and let the sealant cure for at least a day before showering. How to apply a neat bead is explained in our blog on resealing a bathroom with new silicone.

Working safely

Demolition and tiling mean dust, sharp edges and heavy lifting. Wear:

work gloves with nitrile coating against cuts and for grip;
a safety goggles when demolishing, chiselling and drilling;
an FFP2 dust mask when removing or grinding tiles or plaster;
knee pads when working on the floor.

If you suspect asbestos in old sealant, adhesive or board material, stop immediately and have it tested.

When should you call in a professional?

DIY can work very well, but calling in a professional is never unnecessary. Especially in these situations:

the drain has to be moved or lowered, or there is not enough fall;
you want a level walk-in shower with a linear drain;
the tap connections in the wall have to be moved;
your bathroom is upstairs and a leak immediately causes damage below.

👷 Work on water and waste pipes in the wall or floor should always be done by a certified installer if you are in any doubt. Tiling and waterproofing in a shower are skilled work; a professional tiler makes sure everything is flat, watertight and laid to falls. Want to know what you can do yourself and what not? Read our blog on renovating a bathroom: DIY or professional.

Frequently asked questions

Can a shower go in the same place as the bath?

Usually yes. That is also the simplest solution, because the drain and water connections are already there. Do check that the drain is high enough and in the right place.

Shower tray or walk-in shower with a linear drain?

A shower tray is quicker and simpler, also as a DIY job. A level walk-in shower looks great and is step-free, but needs a fall and a waterproofed floor. That is work for a professional.

How long does the job take?

Removing the bath often takes a day. Waterproofing, tiling, installing and sealing take several days together, mainly because of drying times. Plan generously.