Shower repair: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering shower repair

Shower repair is mostly cartridge and diverter work, and the real risk is water behind the wall. Test the valve and the wall before you say the job is done.

What customers ask

  • Why does the temperature keep changing?
  • Why is the water only coming from the tub spout?
  • Can you fix the leak without tearing up the tile?
  • Is the wall damaged from the leak?
  • Why is the showerhead spraying unevenly?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask the valve brand and handle style, whether the temperature changes or the diverter sticks, and whether the wall behind the valve feels damp or soft.
  • Bring the common cartridges for the brands you see, a diverter kit, a showerhead and arm set, a moisture meter, and grout and caulk to the first visit.
  • Check the valve and diverter with the water on before you take anything apart, and say what you saw.
  • Show the customer the worn cartridge or the failed diverter, so the repair is clear.
  • Quote the valve part, the diverter, the showerhead and any caulk or grout work as separate lines.
  • Test the shower hot and cold, the diverter and the tub spout, and check the wall for leaks before you leave.

What to put on your profile

  • Photos of a cartridge replacement, with the worn part and the new part side by side
  • List the valve brands and types you repair, including pressure balance and thermostatic
  • Note the grout and caulk resealing you do along tub edges and corners
  • Show a before and after of a leaking valve repaired with the wall checked

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer to check the showerhead and arm on the same visit, since they clog as the supply ages
  • Suggest a yearly reseal of the tub edge and corner joints where water is most likely to get in
  • Recommend a valve service check if the shower has been running hotter or colder over time

Licenses and permits

Shower valve and drain repair is commonly done by licensed plumbers, and some simple cartridge and showerhead work is allowed without a license in some areas. Confirm the rules with your state or local licensing agency before taking the work.

Questions

What do I say when the customer wants the whole shower valve replaced?

Show the cartridge and the body. Replacing the cartridge is usually the right fix when the body is sound. Replace the body only if it is corroded or cracked, and show the reason.

How do I handle a shower leak with soft drywall behind it?

Stop and show the damage. Quote the wall repair as its own line, and do not close the wall over moisture.

What should I tell a customer whose showerhead is clogged?

Clean the head and check the arm. Show the mineral build-up and explain that the head can be replaced if the holes stay blocked.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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