Shower Valve Replacement and Installation
A shower that keeps dripping after you turn it off, swings from hot to cold, or won’t turn on fully usually has a problem in the valve behind the wall. We find out whether a new cartridge solves it or the valve body has to be replaced, and we install pressure-balance and thermostatic valves that keep the temperature steady.
Cartridge first when that’s enough · Pressure-balance and thermostatic valves · Licensed plumbers · 0% financing up to 48 months
Cartridge or whole valve? How we decide
| What you notice | Usual cause | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| Showerhead drips after shut-off | Worn cartridge or seals | Cartridge replacement |
| Handle is stiff, loose or spins | Worn cartridge or stem | Cartridge replacement |
| Water turns hot or cold when someone flushes | Failing pressure-balance part, or an old valve without one | New cartridge, or a new pressure-balance valve |
| Water stain or leak inside the wall | Cracked valve body or failed pipe joint | Full valve replacement |
| Parts no longer made, or brand unknown | Discontinued valve | Full valve replacement |
| Bathroom remodel or new trim style | Trim won’t fit the old valve | New valve with matching trim |
Seeing a stain next to the shower? We also repair the water-damaged wall behind the shower once the valve is fixed.
Shower valves we install
Pressure-balance valves
These react to changes in water pressure, so a flushing toilet or running dishwasher doesn't send a burst of hot or cold water through the shower. Most single-handle showers use one.
Thermostatic valves
These hold the temperature you set and usually let you control volume separately. They suit multi-head showers and households where steady temperature matters most.
Diverter and transfer valves
For tub-shower combinations, handheld wands and body sprays, a diverter or transfer valve sends water to the right outlet.
Converting two- and three-handle showers
Older showers with separate hot and cold handles have no anti-scald protection. We replace them with a single pressure-balance or thermostatic valve and a trim plate sized to cover the old holes.
California’s plumbing code requires shower and tub-shower controls to be pressure-balance, thermostatic or combination valves with a temperature limit. We set the limit stop on every valve we install.
How a shower valve replacement works
- We shut off the water and confirm the brand and model of your valve.
- We reach the valve from the back of the wall when there’s a closet or access panel; otherwise through a small opening in the tile that a larger trim plate covers.
- The old valve body comes out and the new one is connected to your copper or PEX lines.
- We set the maximum temperature, pressure-test the joints and run the shower.
- The wall is closed – see our wall repair service.
What affects the price of a shower valve replacement
- A cartridge replacement vs. a new valve body
- Access – from behind the wall or through tile
- Pipe material (copper, galvanized, PEX)
- Diverter, extra outlets or a thermostatic upgrade
- New trim and tile repair
- Permit, where required
You get a written price once we have seen the valve.
Shower valve FAQs
How much does it cost to replace a shower valve?
Replacing a cartridge costs much less than replacing the valve body. A full valve replacement depends on how the wall is reached, the pipe material, the trim you choose and whether tile has to be opened. We give you the price after seeing the valve.
Can I replace just the shower cartridge instead of the whole valve?
Often, yes. Drips, a stiff handle and many temperature problems are fixed with a new cartridge. The whole valve needs replacing when the body is cracked, leaking inside the wall, or the parts are no longer made.
Do I have to remove tile to replace a shower valve?
Not always. If there is a closet or access panel behind the shower, we work from the back. Otherwise we make a small opening that a larger trim plate covers.
What is the difference between a pressure-balance and a thermostatic valve?
A pressure-balance valve reacts to pressure changes to prevent sudden hot or cold bursts. A thermostatic valve holds the exact temperature you set and usually controls volume separately.
Why does my shower get hot when someone flushes the toilet?
The toilet draws cold water and the shower loses its balance. A worn pressure-balance cartridge, or an old valve without one, is usually the cause.
How long does a shower valve replacement take?
A cartridge replacement is a short visit. Replacing the valve body usually takes a few hours, longer if tile or drywall has to be repaired.
Shower valve replacement near you
Shower valve visits are scheduled from five local offices. Call the one closest to you:
Los Angeles County
- Sunland — 8348 Foothill Blvd, Sunland, CA 91040 · (805) 883-6154
- Santa Monica — 701 Pico Blvd #551, Santa Monica, CA 90405 · (310) 818-7582
- Calabasas — 24025 Park Sorrento #430, Calabasas, CA 91302 · (818) 330-1138
Orange County
- Laguna Hills — 25272 McIntyre St #558, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 · (949) 635-7337
- Anaheim — 800 S Brookhurst St, Anaheim, CA 92804 · (714) 706-3926
Fix your shower valve
Send a photo of your shower handle and trim when you book – it helps us bring the right cartridge on the first visit. Call (888) 803-7895 or use the form.
