Takoma Park has some of the oldest housing in the county, with a median build year of 1954 and a large historic district, so shower valves here are often older two- or three-handle units, and some sit in walls that have been remodeled more than once. Many can be rebuilt; some need replacing. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Takoma Park.
Can an old Takoma Park shower valve be rebuilt?
In many cases. Takoma Park began in 1883 as a commuter suburb on the DC line, and its historic district around Carroll Avenue and Takoma Junction holds homes much older than the 1954 citywide median. Older two-handle and three-handle valves were built to be serviced: stems, washers, bonnet packing and seats can be replaced or resurfaced. The limit is parts. When a valve's maker is long gone or the seats are too pitted to reseal, replacing the valve is the honest answer.
What if the wall behind the shower is plaster?
Many older homes here have plaster walls or tile set in a thick mortar bed, which is harder to open and patch than drywall. Plumbers look first for a way in from behind, such as a closet, a hallway wall or a basement ceiling under a first-floor bath. If the valve body has to be replaced and there's no back access, they'll cut the smallest workable opening at the front, and an oversized trim plate or access cover can hide it. Ask about this before work starts so tile replacement isn't a surprise.
Should I switch to a pressure-balancing valve?
Older valves usually have no protection against pressure swings, so a flushing toilet can send the shower suddenly hot. If you're replacing the valve anyway, a pressure-balancing or thermostatic valve is worth considering, especially in homes with children or older adults. Converting from two handles to one changes the trim and needs wall access. WSSC Water Permit Services handles plumbing permits in Takoma Park, and the plumber can tell you whether a valve replacement needs one; Montgomery County handles building permits for larger remodels.
A local note
WSSC Water supplies the city, and hardness depends on which WSSC plant feeds your area: its tap analysis gives averages near 140 mg/L from the Potomac plant and 64 mg/L from the Patuxent plant. Scale builds slowly in either case. Part of the water service line belongs to WSSC and part to the homeowner, so if a valve job turns up old supply pipe inside the house, that piping is yours to deal with, and a plumber can price it separately.
Shower Valve Repair questions in Takoma Park
My old shower has two or three handles. Can it still be repaired?
Can the valve be fixed from the front, or does the tile have to come off?
How hard is the water here, and does it affect shower valves?
Can a plumber stop the shower from getting dangerously hot?
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