A shower that won’t drain, a faucet that won’t stop dripping, a tub that leaks into the ceiling below, shower and tub plumbing problems range from a daily annoyance to a serious structural issue. Northeast Plumbing repairs, replaces, and installs across the full scope of shower and tub plumbing in Greater Cleveland.
Standing water in the shower is the most common shower plumbing complaint, and the most frequently ignored. Hair and soap accumulate in the drain trap and on the pipe walls below it, progressively reducing flow until water pools around your feet every time you shower. What starts as a slow drain becomes a full blockage if it’s left long enough.
A faucet handle that’s turned fully off but still drips has a worn cartridge, O-ring, or valve seat that’s no longer sealing properly. In a shower, a dripping valve also often means the diverter, the component that switches flow between the tub spout and showerhead, is failing. These are internal valve repairs that restore full shutoff without requiring a new fixture in most cases.
A showerhead with noticeably reduced pressure usually has a clogged aerator screen or flow restrictor, a quick fix. But if pressure is low at the valve itself, or if the water temperature swings hot and cold unpredictably, the pressure-balancing cartridge inside the shower valve body is worn and needs to be replaced. This is a common failure in valves that are more than 10 to 15 years old.
Moisture seeping through grout lines, a gap between the tub and the wall surround, or water appearing on the ceiling below the bathroom are signs that the waterproofing behind the tile or around the tub has failed. This is not a grout and caulk problem, it’s a water intrusion problem that needs to be properly assessed before it does more damage to the framing, subfloor, or ceiling below.
A walk-in shower conversion, a freestanding soaking tub, or a full bathroom remodel that relocates or adds a shower or tub involves drain rough-in, supply line connections, valve installation, and in many cases modifications to the existing drain stack. All of it requires a licensed plumber, and all of it needs to be done in the right sequence before tile and surround materials go in.
Shower and tub plumbing problems have a way of developing slowly and quietly. A shower drain that’s been running slow for a year. A tub faucet dripping for six months. A grout line that’s been leaking into the wall for longer than anyone noticed. By the time these problems become visible or undeniable, the underlying damage is usually significantly further along than what appears on the surface.
Northeast Plumbing handles the complete range of shower and tub plumbing: drain clearing and repiping, cartridge and valve repair, showerhead and faucet replacement, tub spout and diverter repair, shower pan and drain installation, fixture rough-in and trim-out for remodels, and full shower or tub installations for new construction and renovations. We also assess surrounding conditions, subfloor moisture, wall framing condition, and ceiling damage below, when a surround or pan leak is involved, because the repair doesn’t hold if the substrate it’s installed on has been compromised by water.
Shower valve work in Greater Cleveland’s older homes often involves valves that haven’t been serviced in decades. Original single-handle pressure-balancing valves from the 1970s and 80s, two-handle setups with separate hot and cold stems, or discontinued valve bodies where cartridges are no longer readily available. We know these systems. When a cartridge is available, we replace it. When it isn’t, we tell you what a valve replacement involves and give you upfront pricing so you can make an informed decision. We don’t guess and we don’t tell you something is fine when it isn’t.
Cleaning the drain cover removes surface debris but doesn’t address what’s coating the pipe walls further down. Hair and soap scum bind together and accumulate on the interior pipe surface below the drain opening, progressively narrowing the flow path. A drain auger or professional clearing removes the material from inside the pipe rather than just at the surface opening.
Unpredictable temperature swings in the shower are almost always caused by a worn pressure-balancing cartridge in the shower valve. The cartridge regulates the ratio of hot to cold water to maintain a consistent temperature, when it wears out, that regulation fails. Replacing the cartridge restores stable temperature control and is far less expensive than replacing the full valve assembly.
In most cases, yes. Cartridge replacement is done through the valve access panel or through the faceplate opening, it doesn’t require opening the tile wall. The tile surround stays intact. If the valve body itself needs to be replaced (rather than just the cartridge), that’s a more involved job that may require some wall access, and we’ll tell you clearly when that’s the case before starting.
The most common cause is a failed caulk or grout joint along the seam where the tub meets the wall. Water enters the joint, gets behind the surround, and travels along the tub flange or into the wall cavity. Recaulking the surface seam addresses the entry point but doesn’t dry out or repair any moisture damage that’s already occurred inside the wall. If the surround has been leaking for a while, we assess the wall condition before recommending a surface-only fix.
Yes. Shower conversions and walk-in shower installations are part of our remodeling plumbing scope, drain rough-in at the correct location and slope, supply line connections, valve installation, and coordination with your tile or surround installer. We handle the plumbing side start to finish, including permits where required, so the installation is inspected and code-compliant.
Slow or blocked drains cleared completely — kitchen, bath, floor drains, and main line..
Repair, replacement, and installation for gas, electric, and tankless water heaters.
Precision diagnostics to locate hidden leaks before they cause serious structural damage.
Camera inspection, trenchless repair options, and full excavation when needed.
Full-service commercial repairs, backflow testing, hydro jetting, and maintenance contracts.
Burst pipes, overflows, no hot water. We respond fast, day or night, with no holiday surcharges.
Burst pipes, overflows, no hot water. We respond fast, day or night, with no holiday surcharges.
Water moves fast — basements flood, drywall swells, mold starts within 48 hours. We extract, dry, and restore before damage spreads.
Annual backflow testing keeps your water supply safe and your property compliant. Certified testing, fast turnaround, filed with the city for you.
High-pressure water clears years of grease, roots, and buildup that snaking can’t touch. The deep clean your main line actually needs.
From small fixes to full system work, our licensed plumbers handle it all. One call covers whatever’s going on in your home.
Toilets, tubs, showers, and vanities — installed, repaired, or replaced. We keep your bathroom running without the mess.
Clogs, leaks, low pressure, or a sink that won’t drain right. We diagnose it fast and fix it the first time.
Installation, repair, and battery backup options to keep your basement dry when storms hit. Don’t wait for a flood to find out yours has failed.
Whole-home filtration and softening systems for cleaner, better-tasting water. We size and install the right system for your home.
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