How to Remove a Shower

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OK, so you want to know how to remove a shower. You’ve come to the right place. Follow these steps to success:

Step 1 – Remove Shower Door

Man removing shower door

This involves removing screws and cutting away any caulking with a razor knife until you get it out.

Step 2 – Remove Fixtures

worker removing shower fixture with a drill

Remove any fixtures connected to the enclosure. There is no need to shut off the water supply to do this because you’re not removing the shower’s water mixing valve.

Makita TD022DSE 7.2V Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/4″ Hex Impact Driver Kit

Step 3 – Expose Shower Flange

Remove about 1 1/2” of drywall to expose the shower flange, which is nailed to the studs. Remove the nails with a nail puller or cut them out with a multitool.

Makita TM3010CX1 Multi-Tool Kit

Step 4 – Remove Shower Walls

worker removing shower stall walls

Fiberglass sower closures are expensive. To save the enclosure from being destroyed try lifting the walls up and off their hinges. This may require prying from the bottom and/or removing more drywall from the top. Otherwise, just rip it out.

Step 5 – Remove Drain

worker using a tool to remove caulking from shower drain

Removing the grate, unscrew the drain flange, and remove any caulking.

Step 6 – Remove Shower Base

worker lifting shower pan out of shower stall

The shower pan may be locked in by the drywall. To save the pan notch the drywall and slide it out. To save the drywall you can cut the pan out with a reciprocating saw. A small tooth blade, e.g. a metal blade, works well for cutting fiberglass.

Makita JR3051T Recipro Saw – 12 AMP

Step 7 – Cap Sewer Pipe

picture showing open shower drain pipe

Seal off the drain pipe until the new drain is installed to prevent sewer gas from leaking into the house.

Congratulations, you did it!

Watch me remove mine here:

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