In this guide, I will show you how to convert a jetted tub to a soaker tub! If you didn’t know, the process of converting jetted tub to soaker tub is a great idea, especially if you don’t like the jets or they simply don’t work.
A jet tub usually contains a series of powerful air jets that create bubbles in the water. On the other hand, a soaker tub is your conventional bathtub, in which you can just lie down for a prolonged soak.
If you don’t want to be disturbed by the jets and just wish to lie down after a tiring day at work, you might want to think about converting your jetted tub into a soaking tub.
The most obvious solution available to you is to remove your jetted tub and install a new, conventional tub. This is also the most effective solution, but it costs quite a bit of money.
Instead, you should know that there are several other options available that are considerably less expensive and don’t require a whole lot of time either.
In the following paragraphs, we will talk about some of the most convenient ways to convert your jetted tub into a soaker tub.
How To Convert A Jetted Tub To A Soaker Tub
- Use Tub Liners
If you want a very simple solution, start off by removing the heads from the jet tub. Then, just resurface the tub using a bathtub liner or any kind of resurfacing solution.
The resurfacing solution is going to provide a convenient layer on the tub, and will also waterproof the whole surface. Just like the shower liner, the resurfacing solution is custom molded and designed specifically to fit in the tub.
This is an ideal solution for use with different kinds of jet tubs, as long as they have fitted jet heads. Installing the tub liner is a bit tricky, so it might be a wise idea to contact a professional company that offers tub liner installation.
You can easily bring on an experienced handyman to find out about the resurfacing options and then determine which one works best for your tub.
This is a fairly simple and effective solution, and one that doesn’t cost a lot of money. Tub liners are an ideal choice for people who don’t want to spend more than necessary on their bathtub.
- Reinstalling the Tub
Another, slightly more expensive option is to reinstall the bathtub altogether. You can remove the old jet tub and then fix a new one in its place.
As you can imagine, this is a considerably lengthy process and also costs much more money. You will have to first hire a team to rip out the older jetted tub.
They will also remove the jet heads, the surrounding tiling, and the plaster. The tub surround is installed to provide reinforcement to the surface surrounding the bathtub.
The removal process can get quite messy, as the drains and faucets connected to the tub are going to be removed as well, especially if they were installed atop the tub shell liner.
Once that is done, the company is going to remove the entire tub shell by removing the caulking and then lifting the whole thing off of the tub basin.
In case the new soaker tub is not of a similar size, the area will have to be evened out, and a new tub surround will have to be installed.
The whole installation process can cost you several hundred dollars, not to mention the costs of materials that would be incurred as a result.
Once the company has refinished the surrounding area and created the new tub basin, your conventional tub will be installed in place.
- Installing a Soaker Tub
The first thing that you need to check if you are planning to install a soaker tub is whether it fits properly with your shower and tub area.
This is not a job that you can complete on your own, so it’s highly recommended that you hire an experienced professional to help you out. You will need someone to take measurements of the shower area of the space around your tub.
They will also need to create the tub basin using caulking and cement, without disrupting or damaging the tiling surrounding the bathroom.
The older bath board is going to be replaced and new faucets and drains will be added in. The drainage for the new tub is a sizeable expense and several factors come into play.
That is one of the main reasons why you should only let a professional work on the drainage. You really don’t want water leakages afterward, so it’s highly recommended that you let a professional install the lining.
- DIY Solution
There are DIY solutions available that you can try out as well. First of all, you are going to need a few supplies for it. Start off by buying a few door knobs and wall shields, and then remove the intakes.
Most tubs have four jets, and then the water intake. You need to remove all of the backing tape and then clean the jets and the tub. Then, using the wall shields, fix them before each jet.
This is necessary to cover them up after they have been disconnected. Make sure that the wall shield remains firmly fixed in place and doesn’t move around much, as that could cause it to dislodge.
The intake is larger, so you will have to remove the excess shavings before applying the cover. The intake cover is usually covered with holes, so you might want to cover them up using a silicone sealant.
Silicone sealants can be used to individually cover each hole. Apply them generously and then use your fingers to smooth it properly. It’s important that you avoid letting the sealant get into the screw openings.
Leave it in the intake for at least a full day and then turn it on the other side before applying the glue again. Once 72 hours have passed, you need to apply caulk around each of the door shields, including the tiny notches.
The more time you take to properly cover the wall shields and prevent any kind of leakage, the better it’s going to be. Keep in mind that DIY solutions are generally patchy.
You will always need to be on the lookout for any problems that arise in case of a water leakage. The biggest issue with DIY solutions is that in case there is a water leakage, it will take a bit of time to detect.
In that period, you could end up with mold growing under the tub as well. It’s a serious problem that needs to be catered to as quickly as possible.
Door shields don’t really cost a lot of money, and the silicone sealants and glues are also equally inexpensive. In fact, the entire cost of converting your jetted tub into a conventional soaker tub is going to be less than $30.
It’s a fantastic option for people who are interested in taking up a fun DIY project, but you might want to think about the amount of effort required.
It’s not always a good idea to meddle with the plumbing in your house, as the risk of damage is so high. You also need to make sure that you use only high-quality sealants to make sure that the water doesn’t leak after a certain period of time.
Which Option Is the Best?
It’s a bit confusing for the average person to figure out how to replace their jetted tub with a conventional tub. Many people wonder why they can’t just turn off the jets and simply use the tub.
The problem with this is that the jets are going to get dirty over the passage of time, and it’s going to affect the quality of the water. More importantly, you have to take space considerations into account.
If you don’t have a lot of space in your bathroom and you feel that the jetted tub is hogging the space, it might be a wise idea to think about replacing it with a sleeker and smaller bathtub.
If you live in a rental, you might want to consider talking to your landlord and finding out whether they are willing to contribute to the change, or even allowing you to do it.
It’s recommended that you do a bit of research first about the different kinds of tubs before you make a decision.
Setting a Budget
It’s highly recommended that you set a budget first before you make a decision to replace the jetted tub and convert it to a soaker tub.
If you want a less expensive solution, you may want to consider a DIY solution. On the other hand, if you have the budget, you may want to think about replacing the tub altogether.
These are just a few things that you should know about replacing the jetted tub and adding a soaker one in its place. Make sure you follow the tips given above for a smooth and seamless replacement!
Hello, my name is David Zal and I’m a plumber with more than 20 years of experience based in Englewood (Florida). I like to teach normal people how to make easy fixes in their homes. I believe that a lot can be achieved just with DYI and that’s why I started this blog.
In your research did your find that anyone make covers for the jets that you can slip on and glue in place to seal them off? A simple conversion that would allow you to just disconnect the motor and pumps and seal up the tub without having to do any fiberglass work?