Shower Valve Repair in Larkspur, CO

What happens when you call

You will be connected with an independent plumber who serves Larkspur. Say whether you are inside town limits, what the shower is doing, and any brand name on the handle. The plumber will turn off the water, remove the trim and inspect the cartridge for wear and buildup. If the valve body is sound and parts exist, a new cartridge or seal kit usually finishes the job.

If the cartridge is badly coated, the plumber may clean the inside of the valve body before fitting the new one so that it seals evenly. When parts cannot be found for an older valve, replacing it with a current pressure-balancing model is the usual alternative.

Because Larkspur sits about 11 miles south of Castle Rock, travel is part of the visit, and a photo of the trim and handle helps the plumber bring the right part the first time.

Cost factors

• Cartridge or seal kit versus a new valve body
• Sediment or mineral buildup on the old parts
• Whether the valve's maker still supports it
• Access through a panel or finished tile
• Town permit, if the valve and piping are replaced

Larkspur conditions

Larkspur is a small town in the East Plum Creek valley of southern Douglas County, best known for the Colorado Renaissance Festival. The Town's Public Works Department runs water and wastewater inside town limits, drawing from three Denver Basin aquifer wells in the Denver and Arapahoe aquifers rather than surface water. The system is operated under contract by Semocor. Groundwater can carry minerals and fine sediment that gradually build up in shower cartridges, so a stiff handle or reduced flow is a common complaint. Areas of the 80118 ZIP outside town limits were not covered by the Town's pages.

Inside town limits, the Town of Larkspur Building Department handles permits rather than Douglas County, with SAFEbuilt doing inspections. The Town is at 8720 Spruce Mountain Road, (303) 681-2324. Ask whether a valve replacement needs a permit.

Short checklist

• Locate and test the main shutoff
• Photograph the trim and handle
• Note whether flow is low at other fixtures
• Clear the shower area
• Check for moisture near the shower

Water emergencies inside town limits go to Town Hall during business hours and to Semocor at (303) 681-2253 after hours.