Shower & Bathtub Installation in Englewood, CO
Shower and bathtub installation covers replacing tubs and shower bases, converting a tub to a walk-in shower, and installing or replacing shower valves. In Englewood, CO many post-war homes have one original bathroom, and replacing an old tub or valve is often the first step in updating it.
Choosing the right project
The best project depends on how the bathroom is used and what is failing.
| Project | Good for | Consider |
|---|---|---|
| Replace the tub | Keeping a tub for bathing or resale. | Old cast iron tubs are heavy to remove. |
| Tub-to-shower conversion | Easier access and a larger shower. | Removing the only tub can affect some buyers. |
| Replace the shower valve | Temperature swings or leaks in the valve. | Access may require opening the wall behind the valve. |
| Replace the drain | Slow drains or leaks under the tub. | Access from below is easiest in a basement home. |
Shower valves and scald protection
Older shower valves often lack protection against sudden temperature changes. When someone flushes a toilet or runs a dishwasher, the cold water pressure drops and the shower can suddenly get very hot.
The IPC (International Plumbing Code) requires shower and tub-shower valves to be pressure-balancing, thermostatic or a combination, with a maximum outlet temperature limit. Replacing an old valve with a code-compliant one is one of the most useful safety upgrades in an older bathroom.
Since 2016, new showerheads sold in Colorado must carry the EPA WaterSense label, so a new showerhead will use less water than many older ones.
Shower temperature jumping around?
An old valve without scald protection can be replaced without redoing the whole shower.
What to do before you call about a shower or tub
A few checks help us plan the job and quote it accurately.
- If the shower leaks into a ceiling below, stop using it until it is checked.
- Take photos of the tub, the valve trim and any access panel behind the shower.
- Check if the basement ceiling below the bathroom is open or finished.
- Note the tub size if you are replacing it, usually printed on the underside or measured along the front.
- If the shower valve will not shut off, close the main water shutoff and call.
Leaks that show up below a bathroom are often from the drain or valve rather than the tub itself. Our leak detection page explains how we locate them.
Englewood bathrooms: what we often find
Many Englewood houses built after World War II have a single original bathroom with a cast iron or steel tub. Cast iron tubs are durable but heavy, and removing one takes planning and extra hands.
In basement homes, the tub drain is often reachable from below, which makes drain and trap replacements easier. In homes with finished basements, the ceiling may need to be opened, and we tell you before starting.
If the bathroom has old galvanized supply lines, replacing them while the wall is open is efficient. That work is covered on our repiping page.
Planning a tub-to-shower conversion
A walk-in shower that replaces a tub needs more than a new pan. The drain usually moves to suit the new base, the valve may be raised to shower height, and the walls behind need proper waterproofing before any tile goes up.
It is also the right moment to add solid blocking in the walls for grab bars, even if you do not need them yet. A low-threshold or curbless entry is easier to use at any age but takes more floor work to get the slope right, so we look at the joists or slab first.
What affects the cost of shower and tub work
Bath projects vary widely in scope. These factors move the price.
Removal
Removing a cast iron tub takes more time and labor than a fiberglass one.
Valve access
An access panel makes valve work easier. Otherwise the wall behind or the shower wall may need opening.
New fixture choice
Tub, shower base and valve options range widely in price.
Wall surrounds
Tile work is usually separate from plumbing, and we can coordinate with your tile installer.
Permits
Valve replacements and relocations may need a permit.
Bathroom upgrades are not covered by insurance. Water damage from a sudden leak may be, so photograph any damage.
Want a real number for your bathroom? Call (303) 552-3896, day or night.
Shower and tub questions in Englewood
Your shower valve is probably not pressure-balancing. Modern valves compensate for pressure changes, and the IPC requires them for showers.
Yes, in most bathrooms. We check the drain location, floor structure and wall condition before quoting.
If the finish is in good shape, cast iron tubs last a long time. Refinishing is an option. If it is chipped or rusting through, replacement is often better.
Often a few hours if there is access behind the wall. Longer if tile needs to be removed.
Yes. We handle the plumbing, including valve and drain placement, and coordinate timing with your tile installer.
Shower and tub installation in Englewood and nearby
We install tubs, showers and valves across ZIP codes 80110 and 80113, in bungalows, ranches and condos. Larger homes in nearby Cherry Hills Village may have multiple bathrooms with custom valves and body sprays, which we can service and replace.