About half the homes in the City of Falls Church were built before the early 1970s, so many shower valves here are older designs whose washers, stems or cartridges have worn. Some can be rebuilt from the front; others are better replaced. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Falls Church.
Falls Church at a glance
The City of Falls Church is a small independent city just inside the Beltway, and its median home was built around 1971. Bathrooms in older houses here often have two- or three-handle tub and shower valves, while remodeled ones may have pressure-balancing or thermostatic valves. Fairfax Water provides the City's water, from the Potomac and the Occoquan, with some customers on Washington Aqueduct water; hardness at Fairfax Water's Potomac plant averages around 7.5 grains per gallon. Many addresses with a Falls Church mailing label, such as Seven Corners, are actually in Fairfax or Arlington County, which affects who issues permits.
What to do first
- Stop runaway water. If the shower won't shut off, close the main valve, usually in the basement on the street side.
- Protect against scalding. An older valve without pressure balancing can surge hot when a toilet flushes; supervise kids until it's fixed.
- Check behind and below. Look for stains on ceilings and closet walls near the bathroom.
- Confirm your jurisdiction. City addresses use the City's Code Administration; county addresses don't.
- Note the valve style. One, two or three handles tells the plumber a lot before arriving.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Drip from head or spout | Worn washers and seats, or cartridge seals |
| Handles stiff and squeaky | Dry or scaled stems |
| Hot surge with a flush | No pressure balancing in an older valve |
| Water behind the trim plate | Leak at stem packing or the valve body |
| Weak shower flow only | Scale in the valve or showerhead |
What affects the cost
- Rebuilding versus replacing an older valve
- Availability of stems and seats for discontinued brands
- Tile and wall access, especially in older plaster walls
- Upgrading to anti-scald protection
- Permits: the City's Department of Code Administration at 300 Park Avenue (703-248-5080) handles permits for City properties; Fairfax or Arlington County handles addresses outside the City
When you call, you'll be connected with an independent plumber who works in Falls Church. Older plaster walls and vintage tile are common here, so mention them; the plumber may suggest reaching the valve from a closet or the room behind the shower to avoid breaking tile that can't be matched.
Shower Valve Repair questions in Falls Church
What kind of valve is likely behind the handle in an older home here?
Do I need a permit to replace a shower valve?
Why does the shower turn scalding or icy when someone flushes a toilet?
How can I tell if a shower valve is leaking inside the wall?
More plumbing services in Falls Church
Shower Valve Repair nearby
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