Most Lafayette shower valve problems, from a slow drip to a temperature that won't stay put, are fixed by replacing the cartridge or seals through the trim plate. Older homes near Old Town may have valves that need rebuilding or replacing. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Lafayette.
Lafayette grew from a coal-mining and farming past into a suburban city in southeastern Boulder County, with an Old Town core along Public Road and US-287 as its main corridor. Housing ranges from older homes near Old Town to newer subdivisions, so a plumber may meet anything from a two-handle compression valve to a current pressure-balancing model. The City of Lafayette runs its own water utility, drawing surface water from Baseline, Waneka and Goose Haven reservoirs and disinfecting with chlorine. The report does not state hardness. On city water, the homeowner owns everything from the meter pit to the house.
Steps to take now
- Shut off the water at the main valve if the shower won't stop. After hours, Lafayette routes water main breaks to Boulder County Dispatch at 303-441-4444.
- Count the handles. One lever, two handles or three tells the plumber what kind of valve to expect.
- Test a sink on hot. If it's hot and the shower isn't, the shower valve is the likely issue.
- Check for leaks on the ceiling below or the wall behind the shower.
- Take a photo of the trim and handle for parts matching.
Signs table
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Handle must be cranked tighter to stop a drip | Hardened washer or pitted seat in a two-handle valve |
| Drip from a single-lever valve | Worn cartridge seals |
| Temperature shifts on a flush | No pressure balancing, or worn spool |
| Squeal when the water runs | Loose washer or worn stem |
| Ceiling stain below | Leak at the valve or connections |
Cost factors
- Rebuilding an old valve versus installing a new one
- Availability of parts for the valve's brand
- Access through a panel, plaster or tile
- Condition of older pipe connected to the valve
- Permits through the City of Lafayette Building Division, if a valve replacement needs one (inspections line 303-604-3822)
When you call the number on this page, you will reach an independent plumber who serves Lafayette. Say how many handles the shower has, roughly when the house was built, and whether the problem came on slowly or all at once. A sudden change, such as a handle that suddenly spins freely, usually means a broken part, while a gradual drip points to wear that a cartridge or washer kit will fix.
Shower Valve Repair questions in Lafayette
Can an older two- or three-handle shower valve be rebuilt?
Water won't stop running from the shower. What should I do right now?
Is it worth upgrading to a pressure-balancing or thermostatic valve?
How can I tell whether the valve is leaking inside the wall?
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