Tub talk

First, a joke.

Why did the tub break up with the bathroom?

Because their relationship was going down the drain.

Now that I got that out of my system, we need to talk about your tub.

You know the one.

The fiberglass tub and shower combination that was probably perfectly respectable when it was installed sometime during the Bush administration.
You’ve scrubbed it (too hard). You’ve recaulked it (too much). You’ve bought increasingly aggressive cleaning products for it (remember when it had a gloss?). Maybe there’s even a strategically placed shampoo bottle covering a spot we’d all rather not discuss.

At some point, we have to accept that the tub has given us everything it has.

And yet, every morning you step over that thing, look around and think, “We really need to do something with this bathroom.”

Then you go to work.

And another year passes. Another layer of the tub’s finish gets removed. The squeak gets louder, and the drywall around the showerhead gets softer.
I think part of the reason so many homeowners put off their bathrooms is because they assume fixing the shower means remodeling the entire room. Which sounds expensive and overwhelming.

New vanity. New flooring. New lighting. New countertops. Tile selections. Plumbing fixtures. Demolition. Dust. Decisions. More decisions. And eventually, you find yourself standing in a showroom debating between two nearly identical shades of white while questioning every decision that brought you to this moment.

But here’s the thing.

If you let yourself complicate it, you will.

Why is keeping things simple so hard?

In some cases, replacing an old tub or shower doesn’t require remodeling the entire bathroom. Homeowners may choose to replace only the shower system or make a few additional updates, such as a new vanity, flooring, lighting or mirrors.

That can mean focusing on the parts of the bathroom that need attention rather than redesigning the entire room.

Around the Lowcountry, there’s another reason homeowners may consider making changes to a bathroom.

Getting in and out of a bathtub isn’t getting any easier.

A tub wall that didn’t bother you 15 years ago can suddenly start feeling suspiciously like an obstacle course. Add a wet surface, and what used to be an inconvenience can become a safety concern.

A low-threshold shower, properly placed grab bars, a handheld showerhead and seating are among the options homeowners can consider when looking to make a bathroom easier to use.

That’s important.

Function doesn’t have to be the only consideration. Wall patterns, colors, fixtures, glass options and accessories provide choices for homeowners who also want an updated look.

Some newer shower systems also reduce or eliminate grout, which can simplify routine cleaning and maintenance.

And yes, I’m an award-winning custom home remodeler telling you that sometimes you don’t need a full-gut custom bathroom renovation.

You need to do what makes sense for you.

I’ve always believed the right construction project isn’t necessarily the biggest one. It’s the one that solves the homeowner’s problem.

If you love everything about your bathroom except the 20-year-old fiberglass tub or that vanity door that keeps coming off in your hand, maybe you don’t need to tear apart everything you love.

Maybe it’s enough to replace the tub or vanity, update the flooring and put a fresh coat of paint on the walls.

So if you’ve been walking into your bathroom for the last five years saying,

“We really need to do something in here,” it might be time to decide what actually needs changing.

Take one last look at that old tub.

Remember the good times.

Thank it for its service.

Then let it retire.

It has served honorably.

And frankly, it’s tired.

Ryan Chowansky is the owner of Bluffton Builders, LLC, www.bluffton.builders.