More than half of the homes in the City of Stone Mountain were built before 1980, so a dripping or erratic shower here often has a two-handle or early single-lever valve. A plumber can rebuild many through the trim and replace the rest. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Stone Mountain.
What happens when you call
Calling the number on this page connects you with an independent plumber who serves Stone Mountain. Say how many handles the shower has, what it is doing, and whether your address is inside city limits or in the wider Stone Mountain mailing area.
The plumber shuts off the water and opens the valve through the trim. Older valves usually get new stems, washers and seats; newer ones get a cartridge. If the body is cracked or parts are gone, the plumber explains the replacement.
What sets the cost
- Rebuild or replace: new stems and seats usually cost less than a new body.
- Parts: mid-century valves can need special-order parts.
- Walls: older tile without access panels adds repair work.
- Permit: the city requires separate trade permits for plumbing.
Stone Mountain homes and water
The city is a historic village at the western base of Stone Mountain, with a Main Street dating from around 1900. Census survey figures put the median year built at 1979, with about 52% of homes from before 1980 and roughly two-thirds built from 1960 to 1989. That means many bathrooms have two-handle compression valves or early single-lever designs.
DeKalb County Watershed Management supplies water and sewer; city Public Works doesn't handle either. DeKalb owns the line from the main through the meter, and the owner is responsible from there to the house. The city requires separate trade permits through its Building Permits Department, which uses a contracted permit service and SAFEbuilt inspections. Unincorporated Stone Mountain-mailing addresses aren't covered by the city office.
Many homes in the wider Stone Mountain mailing area are newer suburbs outside city limits, where the median home is younger and permits go elsewhere. Inside the historic village, though, bathrooms are older and may have been updated piecemeal. The plumber may find newer trim mounted over an older valve, so matching parts to the body rather than the handle avoids a wasted trip.
When a rebuild isn't possible, a pressure-balancing replacement also protects against the sudden hot surges that older valves allow.
Before the plumber arrives
- Find the main shutoff
- Count handles and note any brand
- Check whether you're inside city limits
- Look for loose tile near the handles
- Clear the tub area
Shower Valve Repair questions in Stone Mountain
Can an old two-handle or three-handle shower valve be rebuilt?
Do I need a permit to replace a shower valve here?
Is an anti-scald or thermostatic valve worth the upgrade?
The shower won't turn off. What should I do right now?
More plumbing services in Stone Mountain
Shower Valve Repair nearby
Sources
Last updated: