Toilet Repair & Installation
Cure a toilet that runs, rocks, leaks or clogs, or install a replacement.
Fixtures and bathrooms
Shower and Bathtub Installation in Louisville, CO
A shower remodel touches walls, floors and plumbing at once. Getting the drain height, the valve position and the waterproofing right is what separates a bathroom that lasts from one that leaks into the room below.
Call and say if the job is a tub, a shower or only the valve.
Common shower and tub jobs
- Valve replacementA worn mixing valve or cartridge that drips or runs hot.
- Tub swapA new tub set to the existing drain.
- Walk-in showerA new shower pan, drain and waterproofing.
Start with the valve and the drain
The mixing valve controls temperature and flow, and it sits behind the wall. Swapping it out requires access through the wall, either from the room behind or from the shower side. Modern pressure-balancing valves prevent sudden temperature swings when a toilet flushes.
The drain must line up with the tub or shower pan. If the old drain is corroded or the trap is poorly placed, it should be replaced while the wall is open. Test it with water before closing anything.
Tub replacement
Swapping a tub involves removing surrounding tile or panels, disconnecting the drain and overflow, setting the new tub on a level bed and reconnecting. A tub that is out of level will not drain properly and may crack.
Alcove tubs are common and sized to fit between three walls. A freestanding tub needs floor space and a drain either in the floor or through the wall.
In Louisville
Basement bathrooms and below-grade drains
Bathrooms added to basements may need a sewage ejector pump or an upflush system if the drain is below the sewer line. Make sure the plumber confirms how waste leaves the basement before planning a shower there.
In older Louisville homes, a bathroom upstairs may sit above living space, which makes leak prevention and access panels important.
Cost
What moves the price of shower or tub work
Tub and shower projects range from a valve swap to a gut remodel. These items set the price.
Ask who handles tile, waterproofing and the permit before you compare quotes.
Showers and waterproofing
A tiled shower relies on layers: a pan or liner under the tile, a membrane over the wall and careful sealing at corners and drains. If these are skipped, water seeps behind the tile and rots framing.
Pre-formed shower bases and wall panels are faster and have fewer joints. Whatever you pick, ask who handles the waterproofing, what the manufacturer's warranty requires, and whether an inspection happens before tile goes up.
Planning and permits
Moving a shower or a drain often needs a permit and may require a licensed plumber. Louisville and its neighbors have their own permit rules, so ask the contractor which apply.
Allow time for curing and drying, and expect the bathroom to be out of use for days or weeks depending on scope.
Choosing a tub or shower base that suits the house
Acrylic and fiberglass units are light, warm to the touch and come in standard sizes that drop into an alcove. Cast iron and steel tubs are heavy and hold heat but need floor support and more labor to move. A tile shower is the most customizable and the most demanding to build.
Check access before you choose. A tub that cannot get through a doorway or around a stair turn will not be a bargain at any price. Measure the path, not only the opening.
Think about the next owner too. A bathroom with a tub is still the safer bet for resale in many family homes, while a walk-in shower suits an aging household. Plan for the life you expect in the house.
Other bathroom plumbing
Bidet Installation
Fit a bidet seat, a handheld sprayer or a freestanding bidet with a proper supply line and shutoff.
Faucet & Sink Repair
Stop drips, restore flow, free a stuck stop valve and cure leaks under the vanity.
Quick answers
What people ask about shower and tub
A one-piece or panel shower can be done in about two days. Tile adds waterproofing and curing, so expect more time.
Often yes if you move plumbing or replace a valve in a wall. The contractor can tell you what your town requires.
A valve without pressure balancing can swing when other fixtures run. A new pressure-balancing valve helps.
Sometimes, through an access panel. Otherwise, the tub may need to come out.
Yes. Shut the fixture's stops or the main valve and phone in. Putting in a new fixture is scheduled work for later.
Yes. Shut the fixture stops or the main valve and call. Putting in a new shower or tub is planned work and happens in daytime visits.
A tub-shower valve has a diverter that sends water to the tub spout or the showerhead. A shower-only valve has no diverter. Replacing one type with the other changes the pipe layout.
Thinking about a new shower or tub?
Describe what you have in mind. A nearby contractor can walk you through the steps.