In Black Hawk, a shower valve that drips, sticks or delivers lukewarm water usually needs a new cartridge or seals. Mountain cold adds the risk of a frozen valve, and older historic buildings may have valves that need rebuilding or replacing. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Black Hawk.
Black Hawk is a former gold-mining settlement known as the City of Mills, now Colorado's least populous city and a small casino town of restored historic buildings along North Clear Creek. The City of Black Hawk Water Department supplies the whole city from two of its own plants. Dory Hill treats North Clear Creek and local wells and springs with membrane microfiltration; Hidden Valley treats Clear Creek near Idaho Springs, with filters for iron and manganese. Both disinfect with chlorine gas and add soda ash for corrosion control. Building Division services are contracted to SAFEbuilt. Older buildings in the historic district can hold plumbing that has been altered many times, so the valve behind a shower may be newer or older than the structure around it.
What to do now
- Close the main shutoff if water won't stop. The City's Water Superintendent is at (303) 582-2246.
- Consider the cold. If the shower failed after a frigid night, the valve or pipe may be frozen; warm the room gently.
- Check for water on floors, walls or the ceiling below.
- Note the building type. A restored historic building and a newer home call for different expectations.
- Photograph the handle and trim to help with parts.
Signs and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| No flow after a hard freeze | Frozen valve or supply pipe |
| Leak after thawing | Freeze-cracked valve or pipe |
| Drip after shutoff | Worn cartridge seals or washers |
| Temperature swings | Worn balancing spool, or none in an older valve |
| Stiff handle | Worn O-rings or debris on the cartridge |
Cost factors
- A cartridge versus a freeze-damaged valve body
- Parts for older valves in historic buildings
- Access through original plaster, stone or tile
- Permits: the City's Building Division, run by SAFEbuilt, takes permit questions at [email protected]
The number on this page connects you with an independent plumber who serves Black Hawk and the Gilpin County hills. Describe what the shower is doing, whether the trouble began after a cold snap, and whether the building is historic or newer. Steep roads and winter weather are part of every visit here, so details up front help the plumber bring the right parts the first time.
Shower Valve Repair questions in Black Hawk
Why does the shower run cooler in winter even with the handle turned all the way?
Does the disinfectant in our tap water change anything about a shower valve repair?
How can I tell whether the valve is leaking inside the wall?
Is a permit needed to replace a shower valve here?
More plumbing services in Black Hawk
Shower Valve Repair nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: