Poway shower valves usually wear at the cartridge, seats or washers, which shows up as drips, stiff handles or temperature swings. A plumber can rebuild most valves from the front and replace the body when it has failed. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Poway.
How hard is Poway's water on a shower valve?
Fairly hard. The City of Poway runs its own water system and treats water at the Lester J. Berglund Water Treatment Plant. Its water quality report lists hardness averaging about 228 to 235 ppm as calcium carbonate, with a range from 165 to 291. Water like that leaves a calcium film on the ceramic discs of a single-lever cartridge and on the seats of a two-handle valve. Over the years that film makes handles stiff and lets water seep past when the valve is shut. Poway also uses both chlorine and chloramines for disinfection, and chloramine can wear rubber seals over time.
Is my valve too old to repair?
Not necessarily. The median Poway home was built around 1978, so many showers have valves that are decades old or have already been swapped once. Two-handle compression valves can usually be rebuilt with new stems, washers and seats. Some early single-lever brands are harder to find parts for. A plumber identifies the valve before recommending anything, and will usually try a repair first when the body is sound.
What should I know about permits?
The City of Poway Building Division handles permits, with plan check and inspection contracted to EsGil Corporation. Submittals are electronic only, through City of Poway Online Services, and Building Services can be reached at 858-668-4645. A cartridge or washer replacement is routine. Replacing the valve body inside the wall is the part of the job to ask about, and a plumber you reach through this page can explain how they handle it.
Local note
Poway is inland, away from the marine layer, and summer heat warms supply pipes in exterior walls and attics. A cold side that runs warm for the first minute is that warm pipe, not the valve. A drip that never stops, a grinding handle or a jolt of heat when a toilet flushes is the valve. If a shower will not shut off, close the main valve to the house and then call. For water problems on the city side of the meter, Poway's Customer Services line is 858-668-4401; after 3:00 p.m. on business days and on weekends and holidays, the city lists the Water Treatment Plant at 858-668-4751.
Shower Valve Repair questions in Poway
Does the hard water here shorten the life of a shower valve?
Will a water softener protect a new shower valve?
Why does the shower turn scalding or icy when someone flushes a toilet?
What helps the plumber when I call about a shower valve?
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