Shower Replacement in San Rafael

Standard timeline: Most shower replacements in San Rafael take 3-5 days from demolition to completion.

Day-by-day process:

• Day 1: Remove old shower (strip tiles, remove shower pan, disconnect plumbing). Inspect walls and subfloor for water damage. Make any necessary repairs to framing or floor.
• Day 2: Install waterproof membrane on walls and floor. Install new shower base (acrylic pan or tile pan with mud bed). Test drain for leaks.
• Day 3: Install shower walls (acrylic panels go up fast, tile requires careful setting). For tile showers, this step takes 2 days with drying time between.
• Day 4-5: Install shower fixtures (valves, heads, handles). Measure and install glass door. Apply final caulking and grout sealing. Clean and final inspection.

Faster options: Prefab one-piece shower units install in 2-3 days. Acrylic wall systems install in 3 days (no grout drying needed).

Longer projects: Custom tile showers take 5-7 days due to grout and thinset drying time. Steam showers take 5-8 days due to steam generator installation and electrical work required in San Rafael homes.

Shower replacement: Updates your existing shower in the same location without moving plumbing or changing bathroom layout. You're replacing old shower with new shower in exact same footprint.

What's included in replacement: Remove old shower, install new shower base/pan, new walls (tile or acrylic), new fixtures (valve, head, handle), new glass door. Plumbing stays in same location—just updating fixtures.

Shower remodel: Changes bathroom layout, moves plumbing, or expands shower size. Might involve moving walls, relocating drains, upgrading electrical, or converting tub space to larger shower.

Cost difference: Replacement costs $4K-$10K and takes 3-5 days. Remodel costs $10K-$20K and takes 2-3 weeks due to plumbing and structural changes.

When to choose replacement: Your shower location works fine but it's outdated, leaking, has mold, or you just want modern look. San Rafael homeowners choose replacement when plumbing location is convenient and no layout changes needed.

When to choose remodel: You want larger shower, need to move shower to different wall, want to convert bathtub area to shower, or must fix major structural issues. Remodel makes sense when you're changing entire bathroom layout in San Rafael homes.

Repair your shower if:

• Only minor issues like dripping faucet, single cracked tile, or loose shower head
• Grout is discolored but tiles are solid (re-grouting costs $200-$500)
• Caulk around edges is peeling (re-caulking costs $100-$200)
• Shower is less than 10 years old and structurally sound
• No signs of water damage behind walls or under floor

Replace your shower if:

• Widespread mold/mildew: Black mold behind tiles indicates waterproofing failure—replacement ensures proper sealing
• Multiple cracked tiles: Especially near corners or floor—means water penetration and underlying damage
• Persistent leaks: Water stains on ceiling below or adjacent walls despite repairs indicate shower pan failure
• Soft/spongy floor: Indicates subfloor water damage requiring full shower removal to repair properly
• Age over 20-25 years: Old showers lack modern waterproofing—San Rafael homes built before 2000 often need replacement
• Outdated design: If you're planning to sell and shower looks 1980s-style, replacement improves resale value

Cost comparison: Repairing multiple issues over time (re-grout $500, re-caulk $200, fix tiles $800, replace fixtures $600 = $2,100+) approaches replacement cost anyway. If your San Rafael shower has 2+ major problems, replacement is usually better investment than patchwork repairs.

Acrylic wall systems (best for most San Rafael homeowners):

Pros: Faster installation (3 days vs 5-7 for tile), lower cost ($4K-$6K installed), no grout lines to clean or reseal, seamless surface prevents water penetration, available in many colors and patterns, easy DIY cleaning.

Cons: Less customization than tile, can scratch (though buffable), not as upscale looking as high-end tile, limited to pre-designed patterns.

Custom tile showers (best for premium San Rafael bathrooms):

Pros: Fully customizable design (any tile size, color, pattern), more upscale appearance, increases home resale value more, extremely durable (lasts 30+ years), can incorporate decorative accents and built-in features.

Cons: Higher cost ($7K-$12K installed), longer installation (5-7 days for grout curing), grout requires periodic resealing (every 1-2 years), harder to clean (scrubbing grout lines), more potential leak points if not waterproofed properly.

San Rafael recommendation: Choose acrylic for guest bathrooms, rental properties, or budget-conscious projects. Choose tile for master bathrooms where you want spa-like appearance and plan to stay in home long-term. Both last 15-20+ years when properly installed by licensed contractors.