I have a Jacuzzi tub in my downstairs bathroom. I'd like to add a shower to that tub, but for some reason I'm under the impression that there is a problem doing this. Can you tell me if it is possible to do this? If not, why not? If so, are there any "gotchas" I should know about?

 

There are several ways to do it, depending on your tub surround.
You can do it by building the shower plumbing into the wall (which I wouldn't do if you have ceramic tile).
OR, you can get shower kits that are made to add to tubs that look very nice (chrome shower pipe, etc.). Look around at plumbing supply houses, Lowe's or other big box stores.
OR, you can create your own with a hanging-from-the-ceiling frame and three overlapped shower curtains. Of course, you will have to plumb in the added shower pipe, etc. to the existing plumbing, in any case.
I did the latter with plain old galvanized pipe, brass gate valves, and cheap plastic shower curtains in a frat house in college. It was no thing of beauty to behold, but it worked great. LOL. I'm sure that you can do better.
The key thing is doing the plumbing right, coming off of what you have. Just plan it out. Or, if you're not an experienced D-I-Y plumber, you may want to call in a pro for this.
It can be done.
Good Luck!

 

And whatever you do, don't use "plain old galvanized pipe".

 

LOL.
It was either that or bamboo back when I was in college in the other '01.

 

Mike,

I did not realize they had indoor plumbing back then!! Just surprised you did not make it clear to NOT use galvanized in this century.

 

Well . . . I would not convert in any manner if there is a tiled deck, however small, between the tub rim and the wall. If the tub is actually built into the wall like a standard tub, okay. If not, forget it. The deck area will become a river each time the shower is used, and it has not been waterproofed accordingly.

John the Naysayer

http://www.johnbridge.com