Shower Remodel in Des Moines, IA
A shower remodel rebuilds the part of the bathroom that takes water every day: the base, the waterproofing, the walls, the valve, and the glass. We rebuild showers in homes across Des Moines, Beaverdale, and Johnston, following the same sequence every time.
- Plumbing and electrical by Iowa-licensed plumbers and electricians
- Permits through the City of Des Moines Permit & Development Center
- Flood-tested before tile
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Please call us at (515) 762-5534.
Repair or Rebuild?
New grout and caulk can buy time, but they cannot fix water that is already behind the tile. Watch for tiles that sound hollow or move, grout that keeps cracking, a floor that flexes, mildew that returns after cleaning, and stains on the ceiling below an upstairs shower.
Older showers were often tiled over drywall or a thin felt layer. Once that backing gets wet it softens and the damage spreads. The lasting fix is to strip the shower to the studs and rebuild with cement board and a continuous waterproofing membrane. Newer homes have a different problem: a fiberglass insert or a small stall that never suited the household. Those can usually become a larger tiled shower.
What Gets Replaced
Base
A sloped pan or solid base with a properly set drain.
Membrane
Continuous waterproofing on walls and floor, flood-tested.
Valve
A new pressure-balancing valve, head, and trim.
Finish
Tile, niche, bench, and framed or frameless glass.
The Process
How a Shower Rebuild Goes
Visit
We measure, check the valve and drain, and review finishes.
Tear-Out
Old shower removed to the studs; plumbing updated by Iowa-licensed plumbers and electricians.
Inspect and Seal
Inspection by the City of Des Moines Permit & Development Center when required; membrane and flood test.
Tile and Glass
Tile, trim, and glass installed; final walkthrough.
Licensing and Permits
Replacing a shower valve or moving a drain is plumbing work, and in Iowa that work is licensed by the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board under Iowa Code chapter 105. Our plumbing is done by Iowa-licensed plumbers and electricians, and we hold Iowa contractor registration (Iowa Code chapter 91C) for the remodeling itself.
When a permit applies, we file it with the City of Des Moines Permit & Development Center and schedule inspection while the walls are open. You get a copy of the final sign-off for your records, which helps if you sell the house later.
Why Waterproofing Matters
Tile and grout are not waterproof. Water passes through grout lines every time the shower runs, so the layer behind the tile decides how long the shower lasts. We wrap the walls, niche, bench, and floor in a continuous membrane tied into the drain, then flood-test the base for a day before tile goes on.
That step disappears once the tile is up, which is why it is easy to rush. In a Des Moines winter, with cold, dry Iowa winters with lows that often drop below 0 F, a shower on an outside wall also needs insulation behind it so the wall does not sweat. Ask any company you are comparing exactly how they waterproof and insulate.
Choosing Tile and Glass
Large porcelain tiles mean fewer grout lines; small mosaics on the floor add grip. A linear drain lets the floor slope in one direction and suits a low threshold. Frameless glass looks clean but costs more than framed, and a fixed panel can skip the door entirely in a wide shower. A recessed niche and a bench or foot ledge make daily use easier, and blocking for grab bars can go in while the walls are open.
Want no curb at all? See walk-in shower installation. Replacing a tub? See tub-to-shower conversion. Redoing the whole room? Start with full bathroom remodeling.
Keeping the Bathroom Usable
Since only the shower comes out, the toilet and sink usually stay in service. We seal the work area with plastic, protect the floors, and clean up daily. If it is your only shower, we keep the days without it as few as curing and inspection allow and tell you the count before we start. At the end you get care notes for the grout, caulk, and glass, and we show you how the valve's temperature limit works.
Questions to Ask Any Shower Contractor
Ask how the walls and floor will be waterproofed and whether the base is flood-tested before tile. Ask who replaces the valve and whether that person holds an Iowa plumbing license. Ask whether a permit is needed and who files it. Ask how long the membrane cures and what the schedule looks like if your only shower is out of service. A contractor who answers those clearly, and puts the answers in writing, is far more likely to build a shower that lasts. We answer every one of them at the estimate.
Common Questions
Shower rebuild Questions
How much does a shower rebuild cost?
Size, tile, glass, and whether the drain moves set the price. Keeping the drain and valve in place saves money. Permits through the City of Des Moines Permit & Development Center are included when needed, and you get a written price before any work starts, so there is no guessing.
How long does a shower rebuild take?
Usually one to two weeks after materials arrive. That includes curing time for the waterproofing membrane, a flood test, and any rough-in inspection by the City of Des Moines Permit & Development Center. We give you the schedule in writing before demolition day.
Who should I hire to redo my shower?
Hire a contractor with Iowa contractor registration (Iowa Code chapter 91C) whose plumbing is done by someone licensed through the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board. Ask how they waterproof, whether they flood-test, and who files the permit. Get every answer in writing.
Get Started
Done patching your shower? Book a free in-home estimate or return to the home page.