Shower Plumber in San Francisco

What to Expect During Shower Service

Our defined process keeps the requested work clear from the initial conversation through completion. You can review the available options before agreeing to the work.

Here’s what to expect during a shower service visit:

• Pre-visit details: We confirm information about the home and fixture before the appointment.
• Visual inspection: We inspect the shower and discuss repair or replacement options in plain language.
• Agreed work: We complete the work you approved.
• Fixture testing: We test the fixture under normal operating conditions.
• Final review: We clean the work area and review maintenance tips and applicable warranty coverage before leaving.

San Francisco Shower Permits & California Code

Permit and plumbing code requirements depend on the project’s scope. San Francisco generally requires a permit before bath fixtures or tub-shower enclosures are replaced. A minor, like-for-like fixture swap that doesn’t involve opening walls generally doesn’t require one.

A permitted alteration in a California home built on or before January 1, 1994, generally requires older, higher-flow fixtures throughout the home to be replaced with water-conserving models before permit sign-off. This requirement can include toilets and faucets beyond the shower being altered.

Showerhead Flow Limits
California limits showerheads manufactured on or after July 1, 2018, to 1.8 gallons per minute at 80 pounds per square inch. For a multi-nozzle showerhead, that limit applies to the combined flow of the nozzles that can operate at the same time.

Temperature Controls
The California Plumbing Code requires shower mixing valves to be pressure-balancing or thermostatic. A pressure-balancing valve responds to changes in water pressure, while a thermostatic valve responds to temperature changes. These valves must be set to a maximum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Shower Stall Dimensions
New or reconfigured shower stalls must have at least 1,024 square inches of finished interior space and accommodate a circle with a 30-inch diameter. The shower door opening must be at least 22 inches wide. Applicable permit review determines how these requirements apply to a particular replacement or reconfiguration.