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The answer is mixed when it comes to whether you can expect your home warranty to cover a shower pan leak. While a home warranty is designed to cover costs for the repair or replacement of appliances and major home systems, most plans don't cover water damage. However, plumbing may be covered. When looking at home warranty versus home insurance, it's helpful to know that most homeowners insurance policies do cover sudden and accidental water damage originating from inside the house. 

The most cost-effective method of building a shower involves using a prefabricated shower kit, which can be found at most home improvement stores. These kits include preformed shower bases, wall panels, and doors, reducing labor and material costs. You’ll most likely need to hire a local shower installer to make sure it’s installed properly, but it will be less expensive than designing and installing a custom shower. 

There are three main types of shower valves: pressure-balancing, thermostatic, and diverter. Pressure-balancing and thermostatic valves are both considered mixing valves because they regulate water flow and temperature, but they do so in different ways. A pressure-balancing valve senses changes in water pressure, such as from a flushing toilet, and adjusts the incoming hot and cold water to maintain a consistent temperature; these typically use a single knob. A thermostatic valve uses a thermostat to precisely control the water temperature and requires a separate control to adjust the water volume. A diverter valve directs the flow of water from one fixture to another, such as switching from a tub faucet to a showerhead in a tub-shower combination.

How long shower valves last depends on the type you have, how much use it gets, the hardness of your water, and whether the valve was installed correctly. Good-quality brass shower valves are sturdy and last around 20 years, while lower-quality plastic valves last 4 to 5 years. Since shower valves wear out over time, you can proactively replace yours after 15 years or whenever you update your showerhead.