Faucet & Sink Repair
Cure drips, weak streams, stuck stops and dripping outdoor taps.
Bathroom and kitchen fixtures
Shower and Bathtub Installation in Commerce City, CO
A new shower or tub looks like a simple swap, but what lasts is determined inside the wall: the valve, the drain, the waterproofing and how the floor slopes.
Tell us if you need just a plumber, or a plumber along with tile and finish trades.
Serving Commerce City, CODescribe it, then decide
Ask what the visit covers before you approve any work.
Typical shower and tub jobs
- Tub to shower conversionTake out the tub and build a walk-in shower in its place.
- Valve replacementA leaky or stiff valve behind the tile.
- Fixture swapExchange a worn tub or shower unit for a new one.
The plumber's part of the job
The plumber shuts off water, removes the old fixture, checks the drain and the supply, and sets the new valve and drain at the right height. The tile, glass and trim may be done by other trades.
If your project involves tile, ask who coordinates the trades and who is responsible for the waterproofing.
The valve and the drain
Modern shower valves are pressure balanced or thermostatic, so the temperature does not swing when a toilet flushes. The valve must match the trim you chose. Plan this before you buy the fixture.
The drain body must connect to a trap and a vent. In an older house the old drain may be too small, corroded or located in the wrong place for a new base, which affects cost.
Pricing factors
What moves the price of a new shower or tub
Installation cost follows the scope of work.
Ask who handles the demolition, the waterproofing and the permit.
In Commerce City
Basement baths and dry air
Basement bathrooms need the drain to rise to a sewer line or to an ejector pit, and moving a drain there means cutting concrete. Ask the plumber how the existing layout limits the new design.
The dry Front Range climate is easier on bathrooms than a humid one, but a shower still pushes steam into the room. A working exhaust fan keeps moisture out of the framing.
Pans, pitch and waterproof layers
A tiled stall needs a waterproof pan beneath the tile and a pitch of roughly a quarter inch per foot toward the drain. Grout lets water through, so it is the waterproofing layer that shields the framing.
Pre-formed bases and surrounds skip most of that work. They can be a good fit for a straightforward replacement.
Permits, code and timing
Changing the drain or valve locations typically requires a permit and an inspection. Many cities also require a pan test, where the shower pan is filled and checked for leaks before tile goes on.
A tub swap often takes a day or two. A tiled shower with a fresh pan takes longer because the materials have to cure.
Choosing a tub or shower type
Acrylic and fiberglass units are light and easy to install. Cast iron and steel tubs are heavy and durable. Tile showers offer custom shapes but take the longest. A walk-in shower with a low threshold suits households planning for aging in place.
Choose with the whole bathroom in mind, including ventilation, lighting and floor drains. Ask who removes the old fixture, who repairs the wall if rot turns up and how long the water will be off, because those answers shape the schedule.
Valves, leaks and new fixtures
Shower and tub calls cover new installs and fixes to existing fixtures. Both depend on the valve and the drain.
Valve and showerhead leaks
A shower valve that drips or a showerhead that leaks at the wall often has a worn cartridge or a loose threaded joint. The valve may need replacing if the body is damaged.
A tub or shower that will not shut off
A failing cartridge or stem can keep water running. Shut the main if you cannot stop it.
New installs and remodels
A new shower or tub means checking the drain location, the valve height and the waterproofing. Share your plan so the plumber can coordinate with other trades.
Bathroom plumbing nearby
Leak Detection
Pinpoint a hidden leak using acoustic listening, thermal imaging and pressure tests.
Water Heater Installation & Replacement
Swap out a worn tank for a unit sized for your household, fuel and space.
Quick answers
Questions about showers and tubs
A prefab replacement may take a day or two, while a custom tiled shower can run a week or more.
Usually yes. The drain and the floor structure determine how easy it is.
When plumbing is moved or replaced, usually yes. Ask the contractor who pulls it.
Worn cartridges, seats and O-rings are the usual causes, and many valves can be repaired without opening the wall.
Yes, someone answers around the clock. For an active leak, turn off the fixture supply or the main and then phone. New installations are booked during the day.
Often. The plumber opens an access panel and replaces the valve or cartridge. Ask about the wall repair in the same quote.
Yes, many jobs include both. Tell the dispatcher about the layout and the existing plumbing.
It might. The drain position, size and trap are checked against the new pan or tub. Ask the plumber for a written scope.
Planning a new shower or tub?
Phone in and outline the project so a local contractor can talk it through.