How much does it cost to repair a shower?

Whether it’s a leaky shower head, a clogged drain, or insufficient water pressure, the repairs will vary in price, depending on the cost of parts, the extent of labor required, and any necessary taxes.

Plumbers on average charge around $150 to fix a slow or clogged drain nationwide. Tubs or showers that drain slowly or not at all can generally be fixed by having a plumber cable (or "snake") the drain to remove debris or an obstruction.

It costs roughly $400 to improve water pressure problems caused by pipe obstruction. Typically, a repairman will look to clear out water lines obstructed by debris, calcification or pipe erosion to increase water volume. If water pressure is too high, you may be using more water than you need, which will result in a higher water bill. Additionally, in some locations of the country, using excess water may not be allowed by law. Most plumbers offer services to install a pressure reducing valve (PRV): either a 3/4-inch pipe, which is the most common, or a 1.5-inch pipe (which is less common).

Issues with temperature control often can be traced back to the hot water heater, which may just need to be turned up or down. As a homeowner, you can easily do this yourself. If it turns out that the water heater has a problem, most plumbers can repair or replace it. The cost for water heater repair or replacement varies widely, depending on what type of water heater you currently have (tank or tankless, powered by gas or electricity) as well as what type you replace it with.

Shower or tub Resurfacing costs between $250 and $300 on average nationwide. Simple resurfacing could save you the cost of replacing a tub or shower entirely!

Typically, it costs between $150 and $500 to fix a leaky or dripping faucet, depending on severity of the leak. Repairing a broken diverter will cost you around $125 on average.

Below is a breakdown with examples of nationwide shower repair pricing.

• Slow or clogged drain: $150 to snake the line
• Water pressure: $400 to clear line of obstructions, $485 - $700 installation cost to install a pressure-reducing valve (PRV)
• Temperature control: $200 – several thousand dollars to replace a water heater, depending on the type you currently have and the type you replace it with
• Shower or tub resurfacing: $250 for fiberglass surface, $350 for porcelain surface
• Leaky or dripping faucet: $150 – $500
• Broken diverter: $125

There are a few steps you can take to aid in your decision making and to ensure that you hire a shower repairman or plumber who will be the right fit for you and your home:

• Determine your budget: Figure out how much you have to spend on professional plumbing and repairs. Aligning in the upfront about your budget will save both you and your plumber time and energy in the long run.
• Gather multiple quotes: Shop around at a few different shower repairmen or plumbers to make sure that you're getting the best project cost price. Plumbers and repairmen will usually give free quotes to potential customers.
• Repair or replace?: Before you tear out and replace your entire tub or shower, determine if a simple plumbing repair will fix a non-functioning shower.
• Nail down the costs: At first glance, the job may appear simple – but as the repairman gets further, they may realize that the damage is more extensive. Be sure to get a cost estimate, including labor and parts, before the work has been started so you don’t get stuck with a huge surprise bill.
• Ask for reviews: Ask for reviews and follow up with references to make sure you're choosing the right repairman or plumber for your home.

For more tips on smart hiring, see our safety tips.

Homeowners like to save a little cash from time-to-time, too. Here are some ways to save money on the cost of repairing your shower:

• Try to DIY it: If the repair is simply a clogged drain or leaky faucet (and you're feeling handy), try to DIY the repair yourself before calling in professional reinforcements.
• Know your limitations: If you’ve never resurfaced a tub before, your bathroom is not the place to start your home improvement career, Tim Taylor. Sometimes, it’s cheaper to hire someone who knows the ins and outs of the job – you’ll end up saving money in the long run because they won’t mess it up.
• Change your showerhead: If low water pressure is your issue, try changing out your showerhead to a head with fewer holes. The fewer holes the water passes through, the more overall pressure. This change can usually be completed with a wrench in less than five minutes.