Why South Hill fiberglass tub units wear out and what replaces them best.

Article · by Aleksey Kushchuk

Replacing a Fiberglass Tub Surround in a Puyallup Home

Why South Hill fiberglass tub units wear out and what replaces them best. Last updated 2026-11-03

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The quick answer

If your Puyallup home was built between the 1980s and the 2000s, its tub and shower are probably a one-piece or multi-piece fiberglass unit. They are fine for years, then dull, crack near the drain and flex underfoot. Replacing the unit with a new tub and a tiled surround over a waterproofing membrane gives you a sturdier, better-looking bathroom.

Signs the unit is done

Hairline cracks near the drain or corners
A floor that flexes when you stand in it
Stains that no cleaner removes
Failed caulk that keeps coming back
Soft flooring next to the tub

Why one-piece units are hard to remove

Many were set in place before the walls were finished. Getting one out usually means cutting it into pieces and opening a strip of drywall around it. That is normal and is patched as part of the job.

What goes in instead

A new tub set level on a proper base, cement board or foam board on the walls, a membrane over every seam and screw, then tile. Add a niche while the wall is open.

Keep a tub or switch to a shower

In a family hall bath, keeping a tub is often right. In a guest or main-floor bath, a walk-in shower might serve you better. The removal work is similar either way.