Walk-In Showers in Pompano Beach, FL

Walk-in showers are a replacement for an old stall shower, an upgrade inside a larger remodel, or a new shower where a tub or linen closet used to be. Most of what makes a shower last is hidden: the slope of the pan, the waterproofing behind the tile, and the connection at the drain. In a humid place like Pompano Beach, those hidden parts decide whether the shower stays clean or starts growing mildew in the grout and leaking into the floor below.

Signs your existing shower needs rebuilding

• Loose or hollow-sounding tiles, or grout that keeps cracking
• Black staining in grout and caulk that returns soon after cleaning
• Water standing on the shower floor after use
• Stains or soft drywall on the other side of the shower wall, or on the ceiling of the unit below
• A fiberglass base that flexes or has cracked

Many 1950s to 1970s showers were built over a mortar bed with a liner that eventually fails. Regrouting does not fix a failed pan; rebuilding does.

How we build the shower floor

The floor is sloped toward the drain so water never sits. Over that goes a waterproofing system, either a sheet or liquid membrane, that ties into the drain and runs up the walls. We flood-test the pan by filling it and checking for leaks before any tile is set. In a condo, that test matters to your downstairs neighbor as much as to you.

Tile and layout choices

Large-format porcelain on the walls means fewer grout lines to clean. Smaller tile or mosaic on the floor gives more grip and follows the slope to the drain. A linear drain along one wall lets you use large tiles on the floor and makes a curbless entry easier. Recessed niches keep bottles off the floor, and a bench or a fold-down seat helps with shaving and with balance.

Glass and doors

Frameless glass is the common choice for walk-in showers: a hinged door, a sliding door or a single fixed panel with an open entry. Glass is measured after tile is finished so it fits the actual walls, which in older homes are rarely perfectly plumb. A doorless design needs enough length for water to stay inside, so we check the dimensions first.

Valves, controls and ventilation

A pressure-balancing or thermostatic valve keeps the water temperature steady when someone flushes a toilet. Placing the controls near the entry lets you turn the water on without stepping into the spray. Since showers are the main source of bathroom moisture, the exhaust fan is part of the job; it should vent outside and run during and after each shower, as the EPA advises.

Permits

A new or rebuilt shower involves plumbing work and, often, framing changes, which are part of Pompano Beach's permitted bathroom alterations. Plumbing rough and final inspections are typical. We include them in the schedule.