1. Inspect before quoting
We look at the floor, drain, curb, lower walls and the room below. That decides whether the pan can be replaced on its own.
Shower pan repair in Aurora, CO
For homeowners with a stain on the ceiling below the bathroom, a soft spot in the shower floor, or a leak that returns after every re-caulk. LV Tile inspects the pan before quoting a repair or a rebuild.
Based in Aurora, LV Tile serves Parker, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Englewood, Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Fox Hill, Denver, Commerce City, Denver Tech Center and Cherry Creek.
Signs of a leaking shower pan
- A stain or sagging drywall on the ceiling below the shower.
- A floor that feels soft underfoot, or a threshold that stays damp.
- Loose floor tile, or grout that keeps crumbling at the bottom of the walls.
- A musty smell that returns after cleaning, or moisture in the basement below.
Not every sign points to the pan. A drain connection, valve or door can cause similar damage, so the inspection comes before any quote. New grout or caulk will not fix a liner that leaks beneath the mortar bed.
What shower pan repair can include
Included in an agreed scope
- Inspection of the floor, drain, curb and lower walls.
- Removal of the failed pan and, when needed, the lower rows of wall tile.
- Replacement of water-damaged subfloor under the shower.
- A rebuilt pan using a waterproofing system selected for the project.
- New floor tile, replacement wall tile and reinstalling a saved glass enclosure.
Outside the confirmed scope
- Plumbing, electrical and design services.
- Work outside tile installation, bathroom remodeling, shower remodeling and shower pan repair.
- A repair-or-rebuild call, price or schedule given before the inspection.
How we find and fix the leak
2. Open only what the repair needs
In Denver, about four rows of lower wall tile came off to reach the liner; the upper tile stayed. In Aurora, the leak had reached the plywood subfloor, so that was replaced first.
3. Rebuild the pan
Schluter, wedi, LATICRETE, or traditional shower liner systems, selected as appropriate for each project. A traditional pan needs a sloped base under the liner, a continuous liner with no fasteners through it, and a sloped mortar bed above. Flood testing is typically performed when applicable.
4. Restore the tile
Mosaic or small-format tile usually goes on the floor because it follows the slope to the drain. The removed wall tile is replaced and a saved enclosure goes back on.
Repair or rebuild: what affects the estimate
Replacing the pan alone and rebuilding the shower are different scopes. It depends on where the water comes from, what the subfloor and framing look like once the floor is open, and whether new waterproofing can tie into the remaining walls.
When it cannot, a fuller rebuild is the sounder choice. The free estimate is based on that inspection, not a per-square-foot price.
- How far the water traveled: pan only, or subfloor and framing too.
- Whether the lower wall tile can be matched, or the walls come down.
- Floor tile, replacement wall tile, curb and glass enclosure details.
Timing and protection in your home
Repair time depends on how much is opened, what is found under the floor, and drying and curing times. The schedule is reviewed after the inspection.
Estimate turnaround is separate. Simple estimates are usually ready the next day; detailed estimates can take up to about three days.
Self-adhesive protective film is used on carpet, protective paper on hardwood or laminate, and floor-to-ceiling plastic sheeting isolates especially dusty work. On larger projects, filtered dust-extraction or air-filtration equipment is used when necessary.
Shower pan repair projects
Aurora: the leak had damaged the plywood subfloor and shown in the basement below. Denver: nails had punctured a traditional liner and water reached the first-floor ceiling. Elizabeth: the floor opened to the OSB subfloor and refinished in hexagon tile.
Aurora
Shower pan repair in Aurora
Shower Pan Repair
Tile: Stone tile walls with a pebble floor
The damaged plywood subfloor was replaced before a new shower pan and tile were installed.
Denver
Shower pan repair in Denver
Shower Pan Repair
Tile: Mosaic shower floor tile; replacement lower-wall tile
Water from the leaking shower damaged the ceiling below. The repair removed the lower wall tile, rebuilt the pre-slope, liner, and mortar bed, restored the mosaic floor and lower wall tile, and reinstalled the glass enclosure.
Elizabeth
Shower pan repair in Elizabeth
Shower Pan Repair
Tile: Hexagon mosaic floor tile with a hexagon wall accent
A leaking pan had rotted the framing under the shower floor. The pan was demolished, the framing and OSB subfloor rebuilt, and the new pan finished with hexagon mosaic floor tile and a hexagon wall accent.
Tell us about the leak
Tell us where the stain is, how long it has been there and whether a finished room sits below. We inspect first, then give you a free estimate for the work it actually needs.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know whether the shower pan is leaking?
A stain on the ceiling below, a soft or damp shower floor, loose tile low on the walls and a musty smell that keeps returning. A drain connection, valve or door can cause similar damage, so LV Tile inspects first.
Can a leaking shower pan be fixed with new grout or caulk?
Rarely. Grout and caulk are the finished surface; the leak is usually in the liner or membrane under the mortar bed. A punctured or poorly connected liner keeps leaking under fresh grout.
Can the pan be replaced without rebuilding the whole shower?
Sometimes. In Denver, about four rows of lower wall tile came off, the pan was rebuilt and the upper tile stayed. It depends on the leak, the subfloor and framing, and whether new waterproofing can tie into what remains.
Which waterproofing systems do you use when rebuilding a pan?
Schluter, wedi, LATICRETE, or traditional shower liner systems, selected as appropriate for each project. They are alternatives, not systems combined in one pan.
What warranty covers shower pan repair?
3-year workmanship warranty. Excludes cracking or damage caused by foundation or structural movement and damage from improper tile care or maintenance.
Related services
Tile Installation
Porcelain, ceramic, mosaic, natural stone, marble and glass tile, with preparation suited to each project.
Bathroom Remodeling
Full and partial bathroom remodels with a written scope and timeline.
Shower Remodeling
Walk-in showers and tub-to-shower conversions built to stay dry.
Let's talk about your project
Tell us about your tile, bathroom or shower project and request a free estimate.
We typically respond to new inquiries within about one day.