Nearly two-thirds of Fairburn homes were built in 2000 or later, so a dripping or temperamental shower here usually has a worn cartridge in a pressure-balancing valve. A plumber can replace it through the trim, and the city requires a permit for any trade work. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Fairburn.
Fairburn homes and water
Fairburn is a railroad town and former Campbell County seat on I-85, with a small historic downtown ringed by newer subdivisions. Census survey figures put the median year built at 2004, with about 20% of homes from before 1980. Most showers have single-lever pressure-balancing valves whose original cartridges are now old enough to start wearing out. The older homes downtown may have two-handle valves that need stems and seats.
Fairburn Utilities, a city-owned system, buys treated Chattahoochee River water from the City of Atlanta through master meters and disinfects with chlorine. The city's service line inventory found no service lines containing lead. Fairburn also provides sewer, though not in all areas. The city Building Division requires a permit for any trade work, plumbing included, and publishes a mechanical, electrical and plumbing application.
A shower valve is private plumbing, so it's always a job for a plumber rather than the utility. If water seems to be leaking but you can't see where, watch the water meter with every fixture off; movement points to a hidden leak, and a shower valve or its connections are one possibility.
What to do right now
- If the shower won't stop running, close the house main shutoff.
- If it's a drip, note whether it comes from the head, the spout or both.
- Check whether the kitchen tap gets hot; if not, the water heater may be the issue.
- Photograph the handle and trim plate so the brand can be identified.
- Look for damp drywall or a ceiling stain near the bathroom.
- Clear bottles and caddies from around the trim.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Drip after shutoff | Worn cartridge seals |
| Hot or cold jolts | Sticking balancing spool |
| Shower lukewarm, sinks hot | Limit stop or worn cartridge |
| Spout runs with shower on | Worn tub spout diverter |
| Stain or soft wall | Leak at body or connection |
What affects the cost
- Cartridge or body: a cartridge is quick; replacing the body takes longer.
- Brand: 2000s builder valves usually have parts on hand.
- Access: a closet panel behind the shower avoids cutting tile.
- Trim: a replacement valve normally comes with its own handle and plate.
- Permit: the city's trade permit applies to plumbing work beyond simple parts.
Shower Valve Repair questions in Fairburn
Our house is fairly new. Can the shower valve already be failing?
Do I need a permit to replace a shower valve here?
Does the chlorine in our tap water wear out valve seals?
How can I tell if the valve is leaking inside the wall?
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