Shower and Bathtub Installation in Gainesville, FL
Shower and bathtub installation covers the plumbing side of a bathroom upgrade: new tubs, tub-to-shower conversions, walk-in showers, shower valve replacements and the drain and supply work behind them. It also covers repairing a leaking or scalding shower valve without a full remodel.
Installations are scheduled work. A shower valve that won't shut off is an emergency, and the line is answered 24/7.
Common shower and tub projects
| Project | Plumbing involved | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Shower valve replacement. | New valve body and trim in the wall. | Often done through a small access panel or from the tile side. |
| Tub-to-shower conversion. | Move the drain, raise the valve and add a shower pan. | The drain location usually changes, and a permit may be needed. |
| Walk-in or curbless shower. | Lower or recessed drain, often a linear drain. | Slab homes need concrete work to recess the drain. |
| Tub replacement. | Disconnect and reconnect drain, overflow and supply. | Cast iron tubs are heavy and may need to be broken up to remove. |
| Freestanding tub. | Floor-mounted drain and a separate filler. | Supply lines run through the floor. |
Anti-scald valves and why they matter
Modern plumbing code requires showers to have a pressure-balancing or thermostatic mixing valve. It keeps the water temperature steady when someone flushes a toilet or starts the dishwasher, so the shower doesn't suddenly spike hot.
Many older Gainesville homes still have original two-handle valves without that protection. Replacing the valve during a remodel, or on its own, is one of the most practical safety upgrades in the house, especially for young children and older adults.
Hard water plays a part here too. Scale builds up in valve cartridges until the handle is stiff or the temperature control drifts. A water softener helps new valves last longer.
Older bathrooms in historic Gainesville homes
Bathrooms in pre-war homes in the Duckpond and University Heights often have original cast iron clawfoot tubs, galvanized supply lines and cast iron drains. Many owners want to keep the tub and upgrade what's behind the wall.
That usually means new supply lines to the tub filler and a check of the drain under the floor. If the supply lines throughout the house are the same age, pairing the bathroom project with full repiping saves opening walls twice.
How a tub-to-shower conversion works
- Plan the layout. Drain location, valve height, niche and bench positions are set before demolition.
- Remove the tub. The old tub is disconnected and taken out.
- Rework the drain. The drain is moved to the new shower pan location. On a slab, this means opening a section of concrete.
- Rough in the valve. The new valve is set at shower height with a showerhead riser.
- Pan, test and inspect. The shower pan is installed and flood tested before tile goes on.
A flood test catches pan leaks before they become a rotted subfloor or a stained ceiling below. We don't skip it.
Signs your shower valve needs attention
- Dripping from the showerhead after it's off. Worn cartridge or seals.
- Temperature swings when another fixture runs. No pressure balancing, or a failing cartridge.
- Handle is stiff or spins without shutting off. Scale or a broken stem.
- Water stains on the ceiling below the bathroom. A leak at the valve, the drain or the pan. Leak detection finds which.
What affects the price
- Scope. A valve swap costs far less than a full conversion.
- Drain changes. Moving a drain, especially through a slab, adds significant work.
- Tub removal. Cast iron tubs take more labor to remove.
- Permits. Relocating fixtures or drains is permitted work in Gainesville and Alachua County.
- Finish work. Tile and glass are often handled by your remodeler, and we coordinate with them.
Want your real number? Call (954) 697-4920. Project estimates are free.
Working with your remodeler
Many bathroom projects involve a contractor for tile and glass. We handle the plumbing rough-in, pan and final connections, and coordinate timing so the inspection happens before walls close.
We install showers and tubs across Gainesville and in Newberry and the other nearby towns. If the bathroom also has a running toilet or a dripping sink, simple toilet repair can be done at the same time.
Shower valve pressure-balancing and thermostatic mixing requirements from the Florida Building Code, Plumbing, based on the International Plumbing Code (IPC).
Shower and bathtub questions
Close the main water shutoff, then call. The line is answered 24/7. A stuck valve cartridge is usually a quick repair once the water is off.
If the drain or supply is being relocated, it's permitted plumbing work. A straight valve or tub swap in the same location often isn't, but we'll confirm for your address.
Often, yes. Many valves can be reached through an access panel in the wall behind, or by removing a small area around the trim.
The valve doesn't balance pressure. A pressure-balancing or thermostatic valve fixes it.
Yes, but the drain has to be recessed into the slab, which means cutting and patching concrete.
The plumbing portion usually takes a few days, plus inspection. Tile and glass add time depending on the remodeler.