How to remove bulkhead above shower?
by
Lisa
+4
Has anyone ever done this and if so, how? Thanks Hometalkers! 
It can be done, but I warn you, it is a major chore and you need drywall experience to patch everything up after. If you're determined, first make a hole with a drywall saw and make sure there's no heat duct or electrical going trough. After that, it's all prybars and labor...once you get the drywall pried off, next steps are usually obvious.
Like Jennifer says above... But please put some kind of Drop cloth down in the Tub , like a old Sheet or blanket to prevent any scratching from dropped pieces of drywall.. tape edges along the whole top of the Tub surround and over outside edge with painters tape .. and from the dust/pieces from clogging the drain..
There is usually a reason for a bulkhead such as this - find out before you attempt to remove it.
Bulkheads often have internal plumbing or tubing that needs to be there, so definiltly make sure that removing it is possible before you begin, I found this article to be really helpful.Let us know what you opt to do!! http://homeguides.sfgate.com/removing-bathroom-bulkhead-63620.html
Thanks for the link. I came across it when I originally did my internet "homework". Our plumbing and duct work run thru a crawl space.
I found another website about hollow bulkheads above bathtubs. This is what we suspect.
http://www.joneakes.com/jons-fixit-database/969-Hollow-Bulkheads-over-bathtubs