Shower and Bathtub Plumbing for Durham Homes
A shower that will not shut off, a tub that leaks into the ceiling below, or a bathroom remodel in a house with its original valves behind the tile: we do the plumbing for showers and tubs across Durham. We find the part, explain the options, and give you the real price before we start.
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Shower and Bathtub Repair
Most shower and tub calls are one of these six. Tell us which one you have and we will tell you what it usually takes.
A drip after you shut the handle off, a handle that is stiff or loose, or temperature that swings mid-shower usually points to the cartridge or the valve. We match the valve, replace the worn parts, and test it hot and cold.
Water at the wall behind the shower arm or at the head connection is a small leak that can run into the wall. We reseal or replace the arm and the fittings, and check the wall side for damage.
A stain on the ceiling below, or a damp floor beside the shower, can come from the drain connection or the pan. We trace it to the drain, the pan, or the supply side before we recommend anything.
The drain shoe and the overflow gasket both leak, usually when the tub is full or in use. We replace the failed assembly and check the trap below. A tub that also drains slowly may need the line cleared.
Water pouring from the tub spout while the shower runs means a worn diverter. A spout that is loose or leaks at the wall needs new seals or a new spout. We replace it with parts that fit.
Swapping a tub for a shower, or adding a bathroom in a basement, means setting the valve, drain, and supply lines at the right points. Below-grade drains need careful planning. We do the plumbing and work with your remodeler on the rest.
Clear Answers
A drip, a stain below, weak pressure, or a remodel plan. If you know the valve brand or the age of the bathroom, tell us. We give you an arrival window and the price before work begins.
We identify the valve, drain, or leak and tell you whether it is a cartridge swap, a replacement, or something that needs the wall opened. You approve the price first.
We make the repair, run the shower hot and cold, fill the tub to check the overflow, and look for leaks before we close up. In a remodel we test before the wall is finished.
Durham Bathrooms
A lot of Durham's housing is old. Forest Hills, Hope Valley, North Durham, and the 1920s to 1950s streets near Trinity Park, Old West Durham, and Watts-Hillandale have bathrooms that have been redone over the years but may still have the original shower valve behind the tile. Those old valves can be hard to match, and the supply and drain pipes behind them may be galvanized steel or cast iron. When we open a wall in one of these houses, we tell you what we find before we decide how much to replace.
That is why remodels here take some planning. Replacing an old valve usually means access from behind the wall or through the tile, and it is the time to replace the pipe stubs and the drain as well, so you do not tile over parts that are about to fail. A tub-to-shower conversion needs a new drain set at the right height. Basement bathrooms are common in Durham's older homes, and a below-grade drain has to be planned for where it will tie in. In newer Southpoint and Woodcroft homes, the calls are more often builder-grade valves and spouts at the end of their life.
You can call or text (919) 679-1275, or book online. Our shop is at 3460 Apex Pkwy in Apex, and we work Monday through Saturday, 7:00 to 18:00. More about the areas we cover is on our Durham plumber page.
Helpful Details
It depends on the cause: a cartridge, a full valve, a drain assembly, or a leak that needs the wall opened. We tell you the price before we start and nothing is done until you approve it. Call (919) 679-1275 or send photos and we will scope it.
Sometimes. Many cartridges can be replaced from the front with no wall work. Replacing the whole valve body usually needs access from behind, through an access panel on the other side or by opening the wall. We tell you which before we start.
We can often repair an old valve with new parts. When parts are not available, the valve is replaced, and that is the moment to also look at the pipe behind it. We explain the options and the price before any tile comes off.
Common sources are a tub or shower drain leak, a failed overflow gasket, a pan leak, or a supply line. We trace which it is before we recommend a repair. If it is a hidden pipe leak, see our [leak repair](/leak-repair) page.
Yes. The valve, the drain, and the supply lines have to be set for the new shower. We do the plumbing and work with your remodeler on the pan, tile, and glass, which we do not do.
Yes. Below-grade drains need to be planned for how they will reach the sewer line or an ejector pump. We look at the basement and explain the options and the price in writing before work starts.
Serving Durham and the rest of the Triangle: Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill, Holly Springs, Raleigh and Morrisville. Not sure we cover your address? Call (919) 679-1275 and ask.
“Matt was amazing! I've worked with many plumbing companies, and I will definitely contact Sweetwater Plumbing for all my plumbing needs moving forward.”
Keila Feracho
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“Sweetwater saved the day! I had an active leak from a water pipe in the ceiling. They fixed the leak promptly and did a great cleanup job.”
Sandy Alex
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“Chris arrived on time and made an assessment. A most conscientious and capable young man — the quality of his work was outstanding.”
Bodin Schexnayder
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“Great job. Punctual, professional, took time to explain the work, what my options were, and let me choose.”
Krista Summitt
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“Joseph was a great technician. He investigated the problem and walked me through every step of the way. So kind and patient.”
Connie Knox
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“I needed repair work done on short notice after a house inspection. Excellent work and great folks to work with.”
Jack Frankenfield
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