A Savannah, MO Homeowner Was Quoted $6,800. She Needed New Grout.

A homeowner in Savannah, MO had a quote in hand for $6,800. The plan was to replace pipes and tear out her entire shower. Before committing to that, she had Paschal come look. Our plumber examined it, showed her what he was seeing, and told her what she actually needed: the grout redone.

Here is the short version. Water showing up below a shower does not automatically mean a pipe failed. Failed grout and caulk let water past the tile and into the wall, and from the room below it looks identical to a plumbing leak. The difference between those two diagnoses can be thousands of dollars.

Grout failure or pipe failure

They present the same way and they are not remotely the same repair. A few things help tell them apart:

• When the water appears. Surface water shows up during and just after a shower. A supply line leak does not care whether anyone is home.
• Whether it dries out. A grout issue usually dries between uses. A pipe leak keeps the area damp.
• What the tile looks like. Cracked, missing, or discolored grout lines, especially in corners and along the base, are a strong hint. So is caulk that has pulled away from the pan.
• Whether tile sounds hollow. Tapping tile that has lost its bond can reveal how far the moisture traveled.

A plumber can confirm it by isolating the supply and watching pressure, or by running water only into the drain to see whether the leak follows.

What happened on this visit

Our plumber looked at the shower, found the failed grout, and showed her the problem rather than just describing it. She left the visit knowing exactly what she was dealing with and what it would take to fix, and she did not spend $6,800.

“I had another plumber come and quoted 6800.00 to replace pipes and ripe out the entire shower. Paschal look and let me know I justed needed grout redone. Amazing, honest and showed me the problem. I will not even look for another plumber, they got my business and I will refer them to my friends.”

– Tonia S., Savannah, MO

One note on scope: Paschal does not do tile or grout work itself. What we do is diagnose where the water is actually coming from and handle any plumbing repair that turns out to be the real problem, so you are not paying to tear out a shower that never needed it. In this case the fix was grout, and the honest answer saved her thousands.

Get a second opinion before you commit

When a quote runs into the thousands, a second set of eyes costs you nothing and can change the answer completely. That is why we offer a free price check: send us what you were quoted for a water heater, a repipe, a system replacement, or a big repair, and we will tell you where it stands. No obligation, no pressure.

You can see the full range of what our team handles on our plumbing services page.

Staying ahead of the next repair

This homeowner is on our Planned Protection Membership, which is how a lot of our customers stay ahead of surprises. Plans start at $8.99 a month for Essential, and SmartGuard is $34.99 a month, which includes a yearly HVAC maintenance visit plus two more visits you can spend on HVAC, plumbing, or electrical, 15% off any repair, priority scheduling, and a $29 service call instead of $89. It also builds $10 a month in Comfort Credits you can put toward a future system, water heater, or panel replacement.

What plumbing service costs

A Paschal plumbing diagnostic and service call is $89, and that fee is free when you move forward with a same day repair. Repairs are quoted as a flat price you approve before work starts. For reference on common items: a standard 40 or 50 gallon tank water heater installation starts at $1,799, a tankless system starts at $5,825, main drain cleaning is $296.65, and a toilet repair and rebuild is $89.99.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a shower leak is plumbing or surface water?

Timing is the clue. If water only shows up while the shower is running and stops soon after, it is often surface water getting past failed grout or caulk. If it appears when nobody has used the shower, or the area stays damp for days, that points to a supply or drain line.

Can bad grout really cause a leak?

Yes. Grout and caulk are the barrier that keeps water on the tile side of the wall. Once they crack or wash out, water wicks behind the tile and into the substrate. It looks exactly like a pipe leak from the room below, but the fix is a fraction of the cost.

Should I get a second opinion on a big plumbing quote?

If a quote runs into thousands of dollars, it is reasonable to have another licensed plumber look before you commit. A second opinion should be free, and it should come with an explanation of what the plumber is actually seeing.

How much does a plumbing service call cost?

A Paschal plumbing diagnostic and service call is $89, and that fee is free when you move forward with a same day repair. Repairs are quoted as a flat, upfront price you approve before any work begins.

Does Paschal service my area?

Yes. Paschal Air, Plumbing & Electric serves Savannah, St. Joseph, and the surrounding northwest Missouri communities. Check your city on our service areas page, or see what we offer in Savannah.

Holding a quote you are not sure about?

Before you approve a big plumbing job, have someone else look and explain what they see. Schedule with Paschal Air, Plumbing & Electric, or send us the quote for a free price check. Call 816-281-5127 or request service online.

Pricing note: This story was published in July 2026. Starting prices, promotions, and market ranges change over time and may no longer be current. Contact Paschal for an up-to-date, upfront quote for your home.