In Norcross, a dripping or temperamental shower usually needs a new cartridge or seals in a single-lever valve, installed through the trim. The city requires a permit for plumbing fixture work that alters piping, so a valve replacement may need one. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Norcross.
Norcross homes and utilities
Norcross is a historic 1870 railroad town with a downtown square. Census survey figures put the median year built at 1990, with about 18% of homes from before 1980. Most showers have single-lever valves; older homes near downtown may have two-handle valves.
Gwinnett County took over the city's water and sewer system in 2013, so Gwinnett supplies Lake Lanier water disinfected with chlorine. Gwinnett maintains the meter and the pipe to it; the owner handles everything past it. The City of Norcross issues trade permits and requires one for plumbing fixture work that alters piping; a fixture swap with no piping change doesn't appear to need one.
If you rent in Norcross, the landlord is usually responsible for shower valve repairs, but tenants should still know where the main shutoff is in case a valve won't stop. Gwinnett replaced the old city water meters with county meters after taking over the system, so if you're checking for a hidden leak, the county meter is the one to watch. Homes near the historic square may have older valves than those near Peachtree Industrial, and a plumber there may find two-handle valves needing stems and seats rather than a cartridge. Knowing the age of the bathroom helps the plumber plan the visit.
What to do right now
- If water won't stop, close the house main.
- Note what the shower is doing and when it started.
- Look for the brand on the handle.
- Check whether the problem is at the head or the spout.
- Look for stains below or behind the shower.
- Clear the area around the trim.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Drip after shutoff | Worn cartridge or washer |
| Temperature jumps | Worn balancing spool |
| Lukewarm shower | Limit stop or cartridge |
| Handle spins freely | Stripped splines or stem |
| Damp wall | Leak at body or connection |
What affects the cost
- The repair: a cartridge is quick; a body replacement alters piping.
- Brand: 1990s valves usually have parts.
- Access: a panel avoids tile work.
- Permit: piping changes need a city permit.
- Attached homes: where bathrooms are stacked or share a wall, reaching a valve body can take coordination before any wall is opened.
Shower Valve Repair questions in Norcross
Do I need a permit to replace a shower valve here?
Our water is soft. Can minerals still build up in the valve?
The handle is stiff or spins freely. What does that mean?
What if the leak turns out to be in the yard line, not the shower?
More plumbing services in Norcross
Shower Valve Repair nearby
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