Showers
Shower remodeling for Tampa homes
When the shower is the part of the bathroom that's failing, we replace it properly: new pan, a continuous waterproof membrane, a modern valve, tile you can keep clean and glass that fits. The rest of the room can stay as it is.
Open daily, 7:00 AM to 10:30 PM · Consultations across Tampa Bay
Replacing an existing shower, done right
This page is about showers that already exist and need to be rebuilt or updated in roughly the same footprint. That might be a fiberglass insert that has yellowed and cracked, a tiled stall with crumbling grout, or a shower that's started leaking into the wall or the room next door.
Shower remodeling is one of the most common focused projects we take on, because the shower takes the most abuse in any bathroom. It's also the part where shortcuts cost the most later. A shower that looks fine on handover can be quietly soaking the framing a year on if the waterproofing underneath was wrong.
If you want to change the shape of the shower, remove the curb or open it up, our walk-in shower page covers that. If you're replacing a bathtub with a shower, see tub-to-shower conversion.
Warning signs
When a shower needs replacing, not regrouting
Loose or hollow-sounding tile
Tile that moves or sounds hollow when tapped has usually lost its bond, often because water has reached the backer behind it.
Staining on nearby walls or ceilings
Marks on the other side of the shower wall, or a ceiling below, point to a leak at the pan, drain or valve.
Persistent black spots in corners
Mildew that comes back days after cleaning can mean moisture is trapped in grout joints or behind caulk.
Cracked or flexing base
Acrylic and fiberglass bases that flex underfoot tend to crack, and cracks let water under the base.
Temperature swings
Older single-handle valves without pressure balancing can scald or chill when someone flushes a toilet.
Tile over drywall
Common in older remodels. Standard drywall behind a shower is a failure waiting to happen, however good the tile looks.
Construction
What goes behind the tile
Tile and grout shed most water, but both let some through. The real protection is the layer behind them. In the showers we build, that means:
- Old materials removed to the studs so we can see the framing and plumbing
- A properly sloped shower pan, either a mortar bed or a prefabricated sloped system
- Cement board or foam board on the walls, never plain drywall
- A continuous waterproof membrane across walls, floor, niches and bench tops, with sealed seams and corners
- A drain assembly bonded to that membrane
- A flood test before tile goes on, where the system allows
For a closer look at wall surfaces, read our guide to the best shower wall materials.
Options
Choosing the new shower
- Tiled shower
- The most flexible choice. Any size, niches wherever you want them, and a floor tile matched to the room. Porcelain tile with a well-chosen grout is easiest to live with.
- Solid-surface or panel walls
- Large panels with few or no grout lines. Quicker to install and easy to wipe down, with a more limited range of looks.
- Prefab base, tiled walls
- A molded base gives a reliable slope and drain, paired with tiled walls for a custom look above.
- Valve and trim
- Pressure-balancing or thermostatic valves, with the option of a handheld spray on a slide bar. We set heights for the people who'll use it.
- Niches and shelves
- Recessed niches planned to line up with tile joints and framed between studs, waterproofed like the rest of the wall.
- Glass
- Hinged, sliding or fixed panels, framed or frameless. Our comparison of frameless vs framed shower doors explains the trade-offs.
Process
How a shower replacement runs
Assessment
We look at the existing shower, the valve, the drain location and any signs of water damage around it, and talk through what you want to change.
Selections and quote
You choose tile, trim, niche positions and glass. We give you a written, itemized quote.
Tear-out
The surrounding room is protected and the old shower removed. Any damaged framing or subfloor is shown to you before it's repaired.
Rough-in and waterproofing
New valve and drain, backer boards and membrane. Inspections happen here if the scope calls for them.
Tile, trim and glass
Tile and grout, then fixtures. Glass is usually measured once tile is finished, so it's often the last item installed.
Budget
Shower remodel cost factors
Price depends far more on what's being built than on the square footage. The main variables:
- Tiled versus panel or prefab walls
- Tile size and layout (mosaics and patterns take longer)
- Number of niches, benches and shelves
- Valve type and the number of spray outlets
- Glass style and thickness
- Damage uncovered behind the old shower
The remodel cost guide explains how these add up across a whole bathroom.
Local conditions
Showers in Tampa homes
Humidity keeps showers damp longer than in drier climates, which is why the fan matters as much as the tile. Hard water leaves mineral film on glass and fixtures across much of the region, so we'll talk about glass coatings, squeegee-friendly layouts and finishes that hide spotting.
In older homes, especially the pre-1970s houses common in South Tampa, it's not unusual to find old galvanized supply lines or a shower pan that has been patched more than once. We price assuming the unknown might need attention, and tell you straight away if it does.
Related
Other work that pairs with a new shower
- Tile installationFloors and walls to match the new shower
- Walk-in showersIf you'd rather lose the curb and open things up
- Accessible bathroomsGrab-bar backing, benches and handheld sprays
- Full bathroom remodelingWhen the rest of the room needs work too
We replace showers throughout the Tampa area, including Brandon, Carrollwood and Lutz. See every area we serve.
Not sure what your bathroom needs?
A short call is usually enough to tell whether it’s a refresh, a rebuild or somewhere in between.
Shower remodeling FAQ
Can you tile over my existing shower tile?
We don't recommend it. You can't see or fix what's behind the old tile, you add weight, and the new surface is only as sound as the old one. A proper tear-out lets us check the framing and install a real waterproofing layer.
Can the shower stay the same size but get a new valve?
Yes. Replacing the valve is usually part of any shower rebuild, since the walls are open anyway. It's the best time to move to a pressure-balancing or thermostatic valve and add a handheld spray.
What grout is easiest to keep clean?
Many owners prefer high-performance cementitious or urethane grouts, or epoxy grout for showers, because they resist staining better than basic sanded grout. We'll suggest options that suit your tile and joint width.
Will I need to replace the whole bathroom?
No. A shower can be rebuilt on its own. The only knock-on work is usually drywall and paint where the shower meets the rest of the room, plus flooring if the floor tile runs into the shower.
Book a consultation
Ready to replace your shower?
Call and tell us what’s wrong with the shower. We’ll arrange a visit.
- Which bathroom, and roughly how old it is
- What bothers you now: leaks, dated tile, a tub you don’t use
- Any photos or ideas you’ve saved
Call us
(813) 535-5487 Tap to call nowOpen daily, 7:00 AM to 10:30 PM
501 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602