Targeted repair
When the failure is localized and substrate is sound, URB scopes selective demo and rebuild of the failed pan, membrane, or valve path without unnecessary full-bath disruption.
Chicago & North Shore leaking shower repair
Leaking Shower Repair in Chicago
Diagnosis to waterproof rebuild - not a temporary patch. URB finds the pan, membrane, or valve failure, then rebuilds the wet area so the leak stops for good.
Specialized remodeling experience
Repair the cause. Rebuild the wet area correctly.
A leaking shower rarely stays a surface problem. Failed shower pans and liners, failed waterproofing behind tile, valve or cartridge drips, and grout or tile failure can send water into walls, ceilings, and rooms below - with mold risk and damage that a caulk touch-up will not fix.
URB is a remodeling company, not an emergency plumber. We diagnose the source, open what must be opened, and rebuild the shower as a system: sloped pan, continuous waterproofing, flood-test before tile, then tile and glass as scoped. Chicago and North Shore homes and condos are planned around the property, not a same-day patch.
URB Remodeling & Renovation Co. has served Chicago-area homeowners and residential buildings since 1986. Our role is to make the decisions, responsibilities, construction sequence, and building requirements visible before they become field problems. An experienced project manager then coordinates trades, materials, site protection, communication, quality, and the final walkthrough.
Before a meaningful leaking shower repair budget and schedule can be discussed, the property and intended scope need enough definition. URB considers existing conditions, work that affects connected rooms or systems, the desired level of finish, material availability, access, approvals, and decisions that remain unresolved. This separates assumptions from known requirements and helps homeowners understand which choices have the greatest effect on cost, timing, and the finished result.
Early planning also establishes who is responsible for selections, professional documentation, permits, building communication, ordering, and site decisions. When those responsibilities are clear, construction can follow a more reliable sequence and the homeowner has a better framework for evaluating changes. The objective is not to remove every unknown from remodeling; it is to identify foreseeable constraints early and manage the remaining decisions with consistent communication.
Company credentials
The remodeler behind a lasting shower repair.
Since 1986Chicago and North Shore remodeling - repair through rebuild under one project manager.
Lincolnwood office4751 W Touhy Ave, Unit 101 | (847) 410-2691
TGC135483City of Chicago General Contractor (Class E) | insured - COI available for buildings
Flood-testSchluter, Wedi, or equivalent waterproofing verified before tile goes up
URB Remodeling & Renovation Co. treats leaking shower repair as wet-area construction: pan, membrane, slopes, penetrations, and valves coordinated with tile and glass - not a fixture swap sold as waterproofing.
Why showers keep leaking
Pan or liner failure, failed membrane behind tile, valve/cartridge drips, and grout/tile failure leave water paths into framing and finishes. A leak behind the shower wall often means the waterproofing assembly failed - not only the visible tile.
Repair to rebuild
Inspect the source; selective demo; new sloped pan; Schluter, Wedi, or equivalent at pan, walls, niches, and penetrations; flood-test before tile; then tile and glass as scoped.
Targeted repair vs full rebuild
When damage is localized and substrate is sound, scope can stay selective. When the pan, walls, or membrane have failed as a system, a full shower rebuild is the durable path - and may open into a broader bathroom remodel.
Soft next step
When layout, vanity, flooring, or a tub-to-shower change belongs in the same plan, see bathroom remodeling and tub-to-shower conversions.
Scope & details
What the project may include.
Leaking Shower Repair / Rebuild
- Diagnose source of leak (shower pan, failed waterproofing behind tile, valve/cartridge, grout/tile failure, or adjacent plumbing).
- Selective demolition of wet-area tile, cement board, and damaged substrate as required.
- Remove failed shower pan or liner; dispose of demolition debris.
- Construct new shower base with proper slope to drain (1/4" per foot).
- Install waterproofing system (Schluter, Wedi, or equivalent) at pan, walls, niches, and penetrations; flood-test before tile.
- Install cement board or foam board panels; waterproof all seams, corners, and fixtures.
- Rough plumbing as needed: new shower drain, pressure-balanced mixing valve, shower head / handheld as specified.
- Install new tile on wet walls and floor; grout and seal.
- On-site measure, fabricate, and install shower glass when included.
- Final connections, leak check, and leave area broom clean.
NOTE - Finish fixtures (valve trim, shower head, glass finish) may be owner-supplied. Exotic/non-standard glass finishes priced separately. Condo / high-rise jobs include board coordination and freight elevator scheduling as required.
Full shower rebuild
When pan, walls, and waterproofing have failed as a system, the durable scope is a complete wet-area rebuild - flood-tested before tile - so the leak does not return behind new finishes.
Pan & slope
New shower base built with proper slope to drain so water moves to the drain instead of into the structure.
Waterproofing systems
Schluter, Wedi, or equivalent membrane at pan, walls, niches, and penetrations - continuous detailing, not a skim mention of waterproofing.
Flood-test before tile
The waterproof assembly is flood-tested before tile so failures are found when they are still inexpensive to correct.
Valve & cartridge scope
Valve and cartridge work is included as remodel scope when the leak path requires it - coordinated with the wet-area rebuild, not sold as a same-day plumber visit.
Plan beforeconstruction
Planning priorities
Resolve the conditions that shape the result.
A meaningful scope is specific to the property. Existing construction, applicable permits and inspections, material lead times, access, occupancy, and connected finish work can all influence the correct approach.
Find the water path
Surface mold, soft drywall, or staining below a shower often point to pan, membrane, or penetration failure. Opening the wet area reveals what caulk cannot.
Match scope to damage
A targeted repair is appropriate only when inspection supports it. Widespread substrate damage usually means a full shower rebuild.
When the bath grows
If flooring, vanity, ventilation, or a tub-to-shower conversion belongs in the same sequence, URB expands scope deliberately rather than patching around unfinished work.
For Chicago condos and high-rises, planning may also include association or management review, alteration agreements, certificates of insurance, approved work hours, elevator reservations, deliveries, and common-area protection. Requirements are clarified for the specific building and scope.
Building path
Condo and high-rise leaking showers.
In condos and high-rises, a shower leak can affect units below and trigger board or management scrutiny of waterproofing liability. URB plans alteration agreements, COI, freight elevator reservations, deliveries, common-area protection, and approved work hours alongside the wet-area rebuild. Full building-path detail lives on condo and high-rise remodeling.
NOTE - Finish fixtures (valve trim, shower head, glass finish) may be owner-supplied. Exotic/non-standard glass finishes priced separately. Condo / high-rise jobs include board coordination and freight elevator scheduling as required.
A managed renovation
One clear path from idea to completion.
Listen
We begin with what is not working, the desired result, known property conditions, timing, and investment range.
Define
Scope, responsibilities, existing conditions, approvals, selections, logistics, and the construction sequence come into focus.
Build
A project manager coordinates trades, materials, protection, progress, communication, and finish quality.
Complete
We review the work with the homeowner, address final items, and close the project with a clear walkthrough.
Selected URB work
Craftsmanship you can see. Planning you can feel.
The most successful remodeling projects hold together at every scale—from the overall layout and daily function to alignments, transitions, protection, communication, and the quiet details that make a finished space feel resolved.
“The estimate was detailed and fair, there were no surprises, and the team kept us informed throughout the process.”
Garrett F. Verified client review
Since 1986Chicago-area remodeling experience
ChicagoExplore city service areas
North ShoreExplore suburban service areas
One teamPlanning through final walkthrough
Good questions, clear answers
Planning your leaking shower repair project.
Why is my shower leaking behind the wall?+
Common causes include a failed shower pan or liner, failed waterproofing behind tile, valve or cartridge drips, and grout or tile failure that lets water reach the substrate. URB opens the wet area as needed to confirm the path before rebuilding.
Can a leaking shower pan be repaired or does it need replacement?+
Localized conditions sometimes allow a targeted repair. When the pan, liner, or membrane has failed as a system - or substrate is damaged - replacement and a flood-tested rebuild are the durable approach.
What waterproofing systems do you use (Schluter / Wedi)?+
URB installs Schluter, Wedi, or equivalent waterproofing systems at the pan, walls, niches, and penetrations so the wet area works as one continuous assembly.
Do you flood-test before tiling?+
Yes. The waterproof assembly is flood-tested before tile so leaks are found before finishes conceal them.
How long does a shower rebuild take?+
Duration depends on damage extent, plumbing changes, approvals (including condo procedures), material lead times, custom glass, and whether the scope stays a focused shower rebuild or expands into a full bathroom remodel. A project-specific sequence is set after inspection and planning.
Let’s talk about your home
Bring us the project that needs experience.
Tell us what you want to change, what is not working, and where you need guidance. We’ll help you understand the right next step. Call (847) 410-2691 or visit 4751 W Touhy Ave, Unit 101, Lincolnwood.
Schedule your consultation