In Buford, a shower that drips, jumps between hot and cold or has a stiff handle usually needs a new cartridge or seals, which a plumber installs through the trim. Inside city limits, permits for bigger jobs come from the City of Buford, while unincorporated Buford addresses go to Gwinnett County. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Buford.
What happens when you call
The number on this page puts you in touch with an independent plumber who serves Buford. Explain the symptom, how many handles the shower has and any brand you can see. It also helps to know whether your home is inside city limits, since that decides which office handles permits.
On site, the plumber shuts off the water, takes off the handle and plate and checks the cartridge or stems. Most visits end with a new cartridge or seal kit. If the valve body is cracked or the model is no longer supported, the plumber explains what replacement involves before starting.
What sets the cost
- Which part failed: a cartridge is quick; a valve body is a larger job.
- Valve age: 1990s valves usually have parts, older ones may not.
- Wall access: an access panel avoids cutting tile.
- Permit: city or county, depending on whether the address is inside Buford.
Buford homes and utilities
Buford sits at the southern end of Lake Lanier and grew up as a railroad stop known as the Leather City. Census survey figures give a median year built of 1996, with about a quarter of homes from before 1980. Newer subdivisions mostly have pressure-balancing valves; older houses near downtown may have two-handle valves.
The City of Buford runs its own water system, treating Lake Lanier water at a membrane ultrafiltration plant and buying a small share from Gwinnett County. Its report lists chlorine disinfection. The city also runs its own sewer. Buford-mailing addresses outside city limits, including Sugar Hill, may be on Gwinnett County water instead, so check your bill.
The city has its own Inspection Department and building codes ordinance. Unincorporated Buford-mailing addresses go to Gwinnett County Planning and Development for permits.
A membrane plant filters very fine particles, so sediment from the treatment side is rarely the issue. When a Buford valve sticks, it is usually ordinary wear on the cartridge, or debris from work on the pipes between the plant and the house.
Before the plumber arrives
- Find the main shutoff
- Check your bill: City of Buford or Gwinnett County water
- Note the brand on the handle or plate
- Look for stains on the ceiling below
- Clear the shower area
Shower Valve Repair questions in Buford
Do I need a permit to replace a shower valve here?
Does the chlorine in our tap water wear out valve seals?
When is a new cartridge enough, and when does the whole valve need replacing?
The shower jumps hot or cold when a toilet flushes. What is wearing out?
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