Can not tell from your post if the leak is in the plumbing or the surround. One way to check is to tape shower curtains around the entire inside your shower. Take showers that way and see if the leak goes away. If it doesn’t then your plumbing is leaking in the walls. If it does then you can use the shower that way until you decide on a replacement.

We used Flexstone/Sentrel for solid surface panels. Same product but Flexstone sold through big box stores and Sentrel through the manufacturer. The manufacturer can also tell you if there are installers in your area.

Pros were easy install. Relatively inexpensive product and in my opinion very attractive. Also lots of customization options like corner seat, shelf and niches.

Cons for us have really been none.

We we got quotes from the solid surface companies and they were for the price of a car. The Flexstone/Sentrel was about $2k all in for a DIY by my husband. And I’ve never loved a shower more. It is beautiful, has every feature I wanted, easy to care for and since we did the install we know it is 100% waterproof.

Mmmm, thank you!

Hubby says leak is on pressure side so he believes it is a plumbing and most likely right where knobs are. I will look into Sentrel and will start visiting showrooms. At some point I am planning redoing tile floor and a tub which is old fashioned jacuzzi/whirlpool. Would have been nice if I can just tackle it one thing at a time.

We really liked onyx panels and shower base. However we had no luck getting a written bid locally. Estimate in person was probably about 8k. But they wouldn’t write it up. I don’t think that had everything we wanted and didn’t include the plumbing. They also were going to do a drywall backer which I didn’t like.

You can see the Sentrel/Flexstone web site online but you have to send for the free samples. We kept a thread on here documenting our installation if you want to search for it.

We couldn’t have done a dyi with the onyx. The panels would probably be too heavy and hard to cut. The material is more like corian but I thought they had some options which were more attractive. In contrast the Sentrel/flexstone is lightweight and rigid but not totally inflexible plastic that is easy to cut and light weight enough for him to put in place himself. Also I think it is really good looking.

Followin

If the problem is the valve, then fix it. Then you can do the whole bathroom when you are ready to do it properly. No need for surgery when you have a paper cut.