Shower & Bathtub Installation/Repair in Altadena, CA
Shower valve repair, tub spout and diverter work, drain clearing, and full installation. All major brands across Altadena and the SGV.
Shower and bathtub work covers the plumbing fixtures used most for daily bathing: shower valves and trim, tub spouts and diverters, body sprays and rain heads, hand-helds, tub drains, and the drain plumbing under them. The work splits into repair of failing components and installation of new or replacement systems. Most repair calls take 60-90 minutes once the right cartridge or trim kit is identified. Full replacement and remodel work takes a day or several depending on scope.
Common shower and tub problems
Dripping shower head
Water continues to drip from the shower head after the valve is shut off. The cartridge inside the shower valve has worn and is no longer fully closing. Cartridge replacement is the standard fix. Modern Moen Posi-Temp, Delta Monitor, and Kohler RiteTemp cartridges all share a similar repair pattern.
Low water flow or weak shower
Several causes. The shower head itself may have mineral buildup blocking the spray (easy clean or replace). The cartridge may have a partially clogged inlet screen. The valve may be old enough that the cartridge isn't designed to deliver high flow. For homes with old galvanized supply lines feeding the shower, the line itself may be restricting flow.
Water temperature won't go hot enough
Pressure-balanced shower valves have a built-in scald protection limit that caps the maximum hot temperature. The cap may need adjustment. If adjustment doesn't help, the cartridge itself may be failing. Beyond that, water heater temperature or distance from heater (with uninsulated supply lines losing heat) may be the cause.
Tub spout diverter doesn't switch flow
Water keeps coming out the tub spout instead of routing to the shower head. The diverter inside the spout has failed. On pull-up diverters, the diverter rod broke or the gate inside isn't seating. On three-handle systems, the diverter valve is failing.
Tub drain won't hold water or won't drain
The drain stopper mechanism has failed. Lift-and-turn stoppers, toe-touch stoppers, and pop-up drains all have specific repair patterns. The fix is usually replacing the stopper assembly.
Slow drain
Hair and soap scum buildup at the strainer, in the P-trap, or in the branch line. Cable augering clears it. Recurring slow draining suggests a longer branch-line issue.
Repairs we handle
Common shower and tub repairs use standard or brand-specific parts that work across product lines.
Cartridge replacement. Moen, Delta, Kohler, Grohe, Hansgrohe, and Pfister cartridges on the truck. We carry the most common cartridges for trucks-rolled service.
Trim kit replacement. When the trim (handle, escutcheon plate, decorative parts) has reached end of life cosmetically but the rough-in valve is sound, trim kit replacement updates the look without opening the wall.
Shower head replacement. Mineral-clogged or aesthetically dated heads get swapped for new units, including low-flow and rain-style heads.
Tub spout replacement. Failed diverters, leaking spouts, or cosmetically dated spouts. Slip-on, threaded, and clip-on spouts all stocked.
Drain stopper repair. Lift-and-turn, toe-touch, push-pull, and pop-up stoppers all repairable with brand-specific parts.
Drain auger and clear. Cable augering for hair-and-soap blockages in tub and shower drains.
Branch line repair. For drain or supply line issues in the wall behind the shower, we open a controlled access opening, complete the repair, and coordinate with drywall finishing.
Installation work
Installation ranges from straightforward like-for-like replacement to complex multi-fixture shower system builds.
Like-for-like shower valve replacement. Removing the existing rough-in valve, installing a new one in the same configuration, connecting to existing supply lines, and installing trim. Wall access required.
Single-handle to dual-handle (or vice versa). Configuration change requires new rough-in installation and possibly larger wall opening for finishing work.
Multi-head shower system installation. Body sprays, rain head, hand-held, and adjustable head systems. Requires larger rough-in valve with multiple outlets and properly sized supply (a multi-head system can draw 8-12 GPM, which often requires upsized supply to deliver adequate pressure).
Tub-to-shower conversion. Removing a tub, installing a new shower base or shower-only valve, and modifying drain plumbing. Coordinates with tile and waterproofing contractors.
Freestanding tub installation. Floor-mounted tub fillers and the drain modifications needed to support freestanding tub designs.
Walk-in tub or accessibility tub. For aging-in-place renovations, walk-in tubs require specific plumbing modifications including faster drain capability and supply line considerations.
Cost of shower and tub work in Altadena
Typical price ranges (Altadena / SGV market, 2026)
Shower cartridge replacement: $225 - $450.
Shower trim kit replacement: $300 - $650.
Tub spout / diverter replacement: $175 - $350.
Shower head replacement: $125 - $275.
Drain stopper repair / replacement: $150 - $300.
Shower drain clearing (auger): $175 - $325.
Rough-in valve replacement (wall access): $650 - $1,500.
Like-for-like shower install with valve: $1,200 - $2,500.
Multi-head shower system install: $1,500 - $4,500+.
Tub-to-shower conversion (plumbing only): $1,500 - $3,500.
Freestanding tub installation: $1,800 - $3,800.
Prices vary with brand, finish, configuration, and access. Tile, drywall, and waterproofing are typically separate from our plumbing scope; we coordinate with finishers.
Other bathroom plumbing work we handle
Beyond shower and tub work, we handle toilet repair and installation (covered on a dedicated page), bathroom faucet and sink work, full bathroom remodel rough-in plumbing (covered separately), bidet installation, accessibility plumbing for grab bars and ADA-compliant fixtures, and bathroom vent fan installation in coordination with electricians. For California fixture flow standards, see California Energy Commission regulations on showerheads.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my shower drip after I shut it off?
The shower valve cartridge or seat has worn out. Modern pressure-balanced and thermostatic shower valves use cartridges that wear over years and start to leak past the closed position. Cartridge replacement is the most common shower repair and takes 60-90 minutes once the valve is identified.
My shower water isn't getting hot enough. What's wrong?
Several possibilities. The mixing valve cartridge may be failing and not blending hot and cold properly. The hot-side scald protection limit on the cartridge may be set too low. The water heater may be set too low, or hot water may be losing temperature in the run to the shower (long pipe runs with no insulation). We diagnose in that order.
My tub spout diverter doesn't work — water keeps coming out the spout instead of the shower head.
The diverter mechanism inside the tub spout has failed. On most diverter spouts, the fix is replacing the entire spout. On three-handle or separate-diverter setups, a diverter valve repair handles it. Repair takes 30-60 minutes.
My shower drains slowly. Is it the trap or the line?
Almost always hair and soap scum buildup at or near the strainer and P-trap. We clear it with a small cable auger and the drain runs free again. If the slow draining returns quickly after, there may be a larger issue downstream in the branch line, which we address with longer cable work.
Can you replace just the shower valve trim without opening the wall?
Sometimes. If you're keeping the same brand and model series (Moen-to-Moen, Delta-to-Delta), the trim kit may install on the existing rough-in valve. If you're switching brands or upgrading the rough-in valve itself, wall access is required. We assess on site.
Do I need a permit to replace a shower valve or tub spout?
Trim and spout replacement typically don't require a permit. Rough-in valve replacement (the in-wall part), shower system relocation, or new shower installation does require a permit. We handle permits on permit-requiring work in unincorporated Altadena through LA County DPW and through municipal departments for incorporated cities.
How much does shower and bathtub work cost?
Shower cartridge replacement runs $225-$450. Tub spout replacement runs $175-$350. Trim kit replacement runs $300-$650. Drain clearing runs $175-$325. New shower valve rough-in replacement runs $650-$1,500. Premium shower system install (multi-head, body sprays) runs $1,500-$4,500+.