I recently bought a used house and noticed that the bathtub has these big acrylic panels instead of traditional tile walls. I'm thinking about replacing the panels with tiles but I'm not sure how to get them out. Are there any tips on removing these panels? Also, I'm curious about what I might find behind them once I take them out. Additionally, if I go through with this, can I upgrade the bath controls, like adding a new shower head and tub filler with better piping? I'd really love to increase the speed of filling the tub with a larger pipe.
1 Answer
First off, it looks like you've got an acrylic surround there. Many times, these are either one-piece or three-piece units. You’ll need to remove the caulk around the edges, especially where it meets the tub and walls, then you can yank it straight out. Just be prepared for some demolition behind those panels since they could be hiding some old tile or drywall that may have seen better days. If you do dig into it, think about using moisture-resistant materials like green board or cement board for your new walls. Also, using a roll-on membrane before tiling is a smart move since grout can leak and cause moisture problems down the road.
I get worried about mold too. If I use moisture-resistant cement board with that red sealer, will it really help prevent mold? I hate dealing with that stuff.