A new shower changes how a bathroom feels more than almost any other upgrade. Whether you're replacing a cramped acrylic stall with a tiled walk-in, swapping a tired tub-shower combo, or adding a shower to a basement bathroom, the plumbing has to be right behind the walls before the finishes go on.
We handle the plumbing for shower installations across Markham: moving or adding supply lines, setting the valve at the right height, installing the drain and connecting everything to code. We work with your contractor or tile setter, or we can recommend trades we've worked alongside.
Shower Installation Around Markham
Many Markham homes have a large soaker tub in the ensuite that rarely gets used. Converting it to a walk-in shower is one of the most requested renovations we see, and the existing drain location usually works with minor adjustments.
Basement showers need a check of the floor drain and sewer depth first. If the main drain sits high, a shower may need a raised base or a pump, and we'll tell you that before any tile is chosen.
Signs You Need Shower Installation
It's worth planning a new shower when you notice:
- Persistent leaks around the base. Water at the edges of the stall often means the pan or its seal has failed, and patching rarely lasts.
- Cracked or flexing floor. A shower base that moves underfoot breaks seals and eventually leaks into the ceiling below.
- Mould that keeps returning. Mould that survives cleaning may be fed by moisture behind the walls from a failing enclosure.
- An awkward tub you'll never use. Many families replace a little-used tub with a walk-in shower that's easier for everyone.
- Poor pressure or temperature swings. An old mixing valve can make showers uncomfortable; a new valve solves it during the installation.
How We Do It
- 1
Plan the layout
We confirm the drain location, valve height, showerhead placement and whether lines need to move.
- 2
Open and inspect
Once the old unit is out, we check the framing, subfloor and existing pipes for rot or damage.
- 3
Rough in the plumbing
New supply lines, a modern pressure-balancing valve and the drain are installed to code.
- 4
Set the base or pan
The base is set level and solid so it can't flex, and the drain connection is sealed.
- 5
Test before closing up
We pressure-test the supplies and flood-test the drain before any tile or wall board goes on.
- 6
Finish connections
After the walls are finished, we return to install the trim, showerhead and fixtures.
Why Choose Markham Plumbing
Shower leaks are among the most expensive plumbing problems we fix, and almost all of them start at installation: a pan that wasn't level, a drain that wasn't sealed, a valve body set at the wrong depth. We test everything before the walls close, because that's the only cheap time to catch a mistake.
- Pressure and flood tested
- Modern anti-scald valves
- Works with your contractor
- Code-compliant rough-ins
Shower Installation FAQs
Can you convert my tub into a walk-in shower?
Yes. The drain usually needs to move to the centre of the new shower, and we cap the old tub spout supply and reconfigure the valve.
Do you do the tiling as well?
We handle all the plumbing and can coordinate with tile setters we've worked with, or with your own contractor.
How long does a shower installation take?
The plumbing rough-in and base typically take a day or two. Tiling and finishing depend on the scope of the overall renovation.
What is a pressure-balancing valve?
It keeps the shower temperature steady when someone flushes a toilet or runs a tap elsewhere in the house. Modern codes require anti-scald protection.
Can you add a second showerhead or body jets?
Yes, as long as the water supply and water heater can keep up. We'll check capacity during planning.
Do I need a permit to replace a shower in Markham?
A like-for-like swap usually doesn't need one. Moving drains or supply lines, or work that's part of a larger renovation, may require a permit from the City of Markham, and we'll confirm for your project.