Shower Valve Repair in Snellville, GA

Snellville homes and water

Snellville is an established southern Gwinnett suburb on US 78. Census survey figures put the median year built at 1991, with about 30% of homes from before 1980. That means a mix: single-lever pressure-balancing valves in most homes, and two-handle valves in some older ones.

Gwinnett County's Department of Water Resources supplies water and sewer, with soft Lake Lanier water averaging about 1.3 grains per gallon and disinfected with chlorine. Gwinnett maintains the main and meter; everything on the customer's side is the owner's. Snellville issues its own building permits and does city inspections, and plumbing subcontractors file subcontractor affidavits.

Snellville also has a local amendment to the plumbing code covering water efficiency requirements. That mostly affects new fixtures, so if a valve replacement brings a new showerhead or trim kit, the plumber will choose parts that meet it. A simple cartridge swap in an existing valve isn't affected. Homes near Lenora Park and along Lenora Church Road range widely in age, so the valve behind one shower can differ from the next street over. Gwinnett also keeps a service line inventory residents can check at GwinnettCounty.com/ServiceLines.

What to do right now

1. If the shower won't stop running, close the house main.
2. Count the handles and note any brand.
3. Note whether it's a drip, temperature swings or low flow.
4. Check the ceiling below and the wall behind.
5. Look for an access panel behind the shower.
6. Clear the shower area.

Symptoms and likely causes

What affects the cost

• Valve type: cartridges and rebuilds are different jobs.
• Parts: older valves can need special orders.
• Access: tile without a panel adds patching.
• Permit: the city issues permits for replacement work.
• Code requirements: new trim and showerheads on a replacement must meet the city's local water efficiency amendment, which can narrow the choice of parts the plumber brings along.