Bathtub Replacement in Des Moines, IA
Bathtub replacement takes out a chipped, stained, or leaking tub and installs a sound one, with the drain, overflow, and surrounding wall done properly. We replace tubs in Des Moines homes from South of Grand to Highland Park, and in Urbandale, Windsor Heights, and nearby.
- Plumbing and electrical by Iowa-licensed plumbers and electricians
- Permits through the City of Des Moines Permit & Development Center
- Floor checked under every tub
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Please call us at (515) 762-5534.
Signs It Is Time
Refinishing can make a tub look better for a while, but it does not fix a cracked shell, a tub that flexes underfoot, a rusted steel tub, or a drain that has leaked into the floor. Watch for a soft floor next to the tub, stains on the ceiling below, caulk that keeps separating, and finish that peels after a previous refinish. Those usually mean the tub, and sometimes the floor under it, needs to come out.
Replacing the tub is also the moment to choose a better one: a deeper soaking tub, a tub with a lower step-in height, or a shower-tub combination with a sturdier surround.
Tub Options
Alcove Tub
The standard three-wall tub, in acrylic, steel, or cast iron.
Soaking Tub
Deeper basin for baths, where the floor can carry it.
Low-Entry Tub
Lower wall for easier step-in.
Surround
Tile or solid panels over a waterproof backer.
The Process
How a Tub Replacement Goes
Assess
We measure, check access, and inspect the floor and drain.
Remove
Old tub out; subfloor and framing repaired as needed.
Set and Connect
New tub leveled and bedded; drain and valve by Iowa-licensed plumbers and electricians.
Surround
Waterproof backer, tile or panels, caulk, and trim.
Getting the Old Tub Out
Cast iron tubs in older Des Moines houses can weigh several hundred pounds and are often broken up in place to get them out safely. Steel and acrylic tubs come out more easily. Either way, we protect the floors and stairs along the path out of the house. Once the tub is gone we can see the subfloor and the drain, which is where hidden water damage usually shows up. We repair or replace soft subfloor before setting anything new on it.
Plumbing, Permits, and Licensing
Connecting a new tub's drain and overflow, and replacing the valve if it is worn, is plumbing work. In Iowa that work is licensed by the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board under Iowa Code chapter 105, and our plumbing is done by Iowa-licensed plumbers and electricians. We are an Iowa-registered contractor under Iowa contractor registration (Iowa Code chapter 91C).
Whether a permit is needed depends on how much plumbing changes. We confirm that with the City of Des Moines Permit & Development Center and file when required, so the inspection is handled before the walls are closed.
Choosing the Right Tub
Acrylic tubs are light, warm to the touch, and easy to repair. Enameled steel is affordable but can chip and is noisier. Cast iron holds heat and lasts for decades but needs a floor that can carry the weight. We check the joists before recommending a heavy tub or a deep soaker, especially on a second floor. Size matters too; a tub that is an inch too long will not go in without opening walls.
If nobody in the house takes baths, a walk-in shower remodel may serve you better. If the whole room needs work, consider full bathroom remodeling instead.
The Wall Around the Tub
A new tub deserves a new surround. We remove the old tile or panels, replace the backer with cement board, and add a waterproofing layer before tile or solid panels go on. On an exterior wall, which is common with tubs in older homes, we insulate first; with cold, dry Iowa winters with lows that often drop below 0 F, an uninsulated tub wall makes for cold baths and condensation. Grab bar blocking and a niche can be added while the wall is open.
Schedule and Disruption
A straightforward tub swap often takes a few days; subfloor repair, a new surround, or a heavy tub can stretch it to a week or more. The toilet and sink usually stay in service. We give you the schedule in writing with the estimate and clean up at the end of every day. When the work is done, we fill the tub, check the drain and overflow for leaks, and walk you through the care of the new finish.
Common Questions
Tub replacement Questions
How much does tub replacement cost?
The tub material, size, surround, and any floor repair set the price. A standard alcove tub with a panel surround costs less than cast iron with tile. Permits through the City of Des Moines Permit & Development Center are included when needed, and you get a written price first.
Can a new tub go in without replacing the tile?
Sometimes, if the tub is the same size and the tile is sound, but the tile edge usually gets damaged during removal. Most replacements include a new surround over a waterproof backer. Plumbing connections are made by Iowa-licensed plumbers and electricians.
How long does it take to replace a bathtub?
Often a few days, longer if the subfloor needs repair or a permit inspection by the City of Des Moines Permit & Development Center is required. We give you the schedule in writing before work starts, including how long the tub will be out of use.
Get Started
Ready for a sound tub? Book a free in-home estimate or return to the home page.