How to Remove a Shower

With our how to remove a shower guide, you can begin to think about doing this job yourself which can save you a lot of money. If you are planning on fully dismantling your bathroom we can clear the resulting waste too. It’s not uncommon for your shower to break on you, with Which claiming that showers tend to last on average for around 4.3 years. With this in mind, knowing how to remove a shower may come in handy.

How to remove a shower – What you might need:

Uninstalling some showers can be a simple task while others can be a lot tricker. Most showers these days are built onto a tiled wall and can be easily uninstalled. Older showers may have their own plastic walls that are installed into surrounding drywalls. These have to be uninstalled with the aid of tools like a saw, in these cases we strongly recommend leaving the job to a professional. We’d also advise asking a professional to remove your shower if it is electric.

Step 1 – Turn off the Water Supply

You can start by isolating the shower from the water supply. This can be difficult with showers and baths as the isolation valves can be hidden behind paneling and walls. If you cannot isolate the water via the valve you may have to shut off the water via your home’s stopcock.

Step 2 – Undo Any Screws

Each mixer valve may have a different method for removing it so check for screws, nuts and any plates that may reveal more screws once lifted. If you are having trouble lifting the valve away you can try and find a manual online for your specific model of valve. You may want to use a couple of blanking caps on the pipes if you aren’t installing a new valve anytime soon.

The showerhead can typically be unscrewed by hand but may also be held in place by a couple of screws. Again, you may want to cap off the exposed pipe here too.

Step 3 – How to Remove a Shower Door or Panel

Like with the valve, shower doors and panels come in hundreds of different designs so no uninstalling will be the same. You can start by locating as many screws as possible. As you undo screws you may find that smaller panels can be pulled loose. The panels that are fixed to the wall may also be held in place with silicone and caulk. Run a utility knife down the caulk to break the seal. You can then try to fit a scraper or a prybar in between the panel and the wall to pry it away further. Be as careful and gentle as you can if you want to keep your tiles intact. You may need another person to hold the panel to stop it from falling once it is fully disconnected from the wall.

Step 4 – How to Remove a Shower Tray

The shower tray will also be sealed in place with silicon but may also be glued down to the floor. You’ll want to repeat a similar process to the door/panels of using a utility knife to cut the silicone seal. You can then use your crowbar to lift the tray slightly. with work gloves on you can then grab the tray from beneath and lift it. If it has been glued down you will have to apply a bit of force.

Removing a shower produces a lot of cumbersome waste that can be difficult to get rid of. A Clearabee ‘Man and Van’ removal will provide a simple service that can be at your door on a same-day basis.