Shower Valve Repair in Lawrenceville, GA

What happens when you call

The number on this page puts you through to an independent plumber who serves Lawrenceville. Describe what is happening, how many handles there are and any brand name on the plate. If the shower won't shut off, close the main valve before calling.

At the house, the plumber shuts off the water and removes the trim to inspect the cartridge or stems. A new cartridge or rebuild kit fixes most problems in one visit. If the valve body is damaged, they explain the replacement before starting.

What sets the cost

• Scope: seals and cartridges are minor; a valve body is a major job.
• Valve era: 1980s valves may have limited parts.
• Access: an access panel saves tile repair.
• Trim: new valves need matching handles and plates.

Lawrenceville homes and water

Lawrenceville is the historic Gwinnett County seat. Census survey figures put the median year built at 1988, with about 30% of homes from before 1980. Many bathrooms have single-lever valves from the 1980s and 1990s, while older houses near the square may still have two-handle valves.

Water service moved from the city to Gwinnett County's Department of Water Resources in 2020. Gwinnett supplies Lake Lanier water, disinfected with chlorine and soft at about 1.3 grains per gallon on average. Gwinnett maintains the main and meter; everything on the customer's side is the owner's. Gwinnett also handles sewer. The city's plumbing permit rules weren't confirmed for this page, so ask the plumber or the city's Building Official in Planning and Development whether a valve replacement needs a permit.

Lawrenceville is unusual in that the city still sends bills for natural gas, electric and sanitation while Gwinnett County bills for water. That split doesn't affect valve work, but it can be confusing when deciding who to call. For anything inside the house, including the shower, a plumber is the right call.

Gwinnett also maintains a service line material inventory. Residents can look up their line at GwinnettCounty.com/ServiceLines, which covers the pipe from the meter area rather than the plumbing inside.

Some bathrooms from the 1980s have early pressure-balancing valves whose makers have since changed designs, which can turn a simple cartridge job into a replacement.

Before the plumber arrives

• Know where the main shutoff is
• Note whether the problem is a drip, temperature or flow
• Look for a brand on the handle or plate
• Check the ceiling below for stains
• Clear space around the shower