Shower repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What shower repair is

Shower repair fixes a leaking showerhead or valve, a shower that has lost pressure or temperature control, or cracked caulk and grout that lets water into the wall. Many shower problems trace to a cartridge, a diverter, a clogged showerhead, or a seal that has failed behind the trim.

Signs you need it

  • The water temperature jumps when someone runs another fixture, which can mean a worn pressure balance cartridge
  • Water comes out of the diverter at the wrong place, or the tub spout runs when the shower is on
  • Water pressure drops at the showerhead only, often from mineral build-up in the head or the arm
  • Water leaks from the wall behind the valve, the trim plate, or the shower arm connection
  • Cracked grout or caulk along the tub edge or the corners, with a damp smell or soft drywall nearby

What the pro does

  • Shut off the water at the valve or the main, then remove the handle, trim and cap to reach the cartridge or valve body
  • Check the cartridge for wear, mineral crust and torn O-rings, and replace the cartridge with the one the brand specifies
  • Check the diverter, the tub spout and the diverter stem, and replace the part that does not seal
  • Clean or replace the showerhead and the arm, and check the arm connection for leaks
  • Check the grout and caulk along the tub edge and corners, and reseal the joints that let water through
  • Turn the water on, run the shower through hot and cold, and check the wall behind the valve for leaks before you close it up

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Valve type: pressure balance, thermostatic and digital valves each use different cartridges and parts
  • Whether the valve body is corroded or the cartridge is seized and needs to be cut out
  • Access to the valve from the back, which may require opening the wall or the tile
  • Whether the showerhead, the arm or the diverter is the only part that needs changing
  • Damage behind the wall from a long leak, including the framing and the drywall
  • Tile or surround that must be removed and reset to reach the valve

What a written quote should spell out

  • Valve type and brand, and the cartridge or part being replaced
  • Showerhead, arm, diverter or spout replaced, and why
  • Grout or caulk repair, and the material used
  • Test method for the valve and the wall behind it
  • Any wall or tile damage found, and who repairs it

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What valve type do I have, and are the cartridges still available for it?
  • Is the leak from the valve, the trim, the arm or the wall?
  • Will you check behind the wall if the leak is hidden?
  • Can the cartridge be replaced without opening the tile?
  • Will you test the shower hot and cold before you leave?
  • Is the caulk or grout failing, and will you reseal it?

Red flags

  • Pro who replaces the whole valve when only the cartridge is worn
  • Pro who opens the wall without first testing the valve and the diverter
  • Pro who seals a leaking shower with caulk and does not check the wall behind it
  • Pro who forces a stuck handle or cartridge, which can crack the valve body

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can clean or replace a showerhead, clean the aerator in the arm, or reseal a small area of caulk. Call a pro for any leak behind the valve, a cartridge that will not come out, or any soft wall or floor near the shower, since a hidden leak can damage the framing before it shows.

Licenses and permits

Shower valve and drain repair is commonly licensed plumbing work, and tile and wall repair may be done by a different trade. Check with your state or local licensing agency about what applies to the plumbing portion.

Shower repair questions

Why does my shower temperature change when someone flushes a toilet?

A worn pressure balance cartridge can let the temperature swing when the cold supply pressure drops. A thermostatic valve holds the temperature more steadily. The pro can check the cartridge and the supply pressure.

Why is the water pressure low only in the shower?

A clogged showerhead, a clogged arm, or a worn diverter that is partly open are the usual causes. The pro should check each one before the valve is opened.

How do I know if the wall behind the shower is leaking?

Look for soft drywall, stains on the ceiling below, or a musty smell. A pro can check with a moisture meter and open a small area to see the damage.

Can grout and caulk be repaired without replacing the tile?

Usually yes, for small cracks. A large or repeated failure, or cracked tile, means the joints or tile need a larger repair. The pro should show you the failed area.

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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