Scottsdale's water is hard enough that mineral scale is a common reason shower valves drip, stick or lose temperature control, especially in the city's southern neighborhoods. A plumber can often replace the cartridge through the trim; a damaged body may need a new valve and a permit. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Scottsdale.
Hard water, older valves
Scottsdale Water publishes hardness by area, and its own fact sheet shows the water getting harder as you head south: softest north of Chaparral Road, harder between Chaparral and Indian School, and hardest south of Indian School Road. That southern part of the city also holds many of its older homes. The citywide median build year is about 1990, so plenty of bathrooms have valves that have been fighting scale for decades. Remodels in the city often add large tiled showers with body sprays or thermostatic valves, which take brand-specific parts and careful access planning.
What to do right now
- If water will not shut off, close the main shutoff, usually where the line enters the house or near the garage, or the valve at the meter box.
- If the shower scalds, stop using it until the valve is checked. A failing pressure-balancing part can let the hot side surge.
- Check the next room. Look for damp drywall, bubbling paint or a musty smell on the far side of the shower wall.
- Find the brand. A name on the handle or trim plate helps the plumber bring the right cartridge.
- Do not force a seized handle. Cranking on a scaled cartridge can crack the stem or the valve body.
Symptoms and what usually causes them
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Steady drip after shutoff | Worn cartridge seals or seat |
| Shower goes hot when a toilet flushes | Pressure-balancing spool stuck with scale |
| Handle hard to turn | Mineral buildup on the cartridge |
| Never gets fully hot | Limit stop set too low, or a water heater issue |
| Water on the floor outside the shower | Leak at the valve body or connections |
Cost factors
- Cartridge or seal repair versus a full valve replacement
- Brand and age of the valve, and whether parts are still made
- How much scale has to be cleared to get parts out
- Wall access and tile repair, since many Scottsdale showers are tiled floor to ceiling
- Permits: the city says a plumbing permit is required to install, alter or repair a plumbing system, so a valve replacement may need one from Planning and Development Services
Shower Valve Repair questions in Scottsdale
Does hard water wear out shower valves faster here?
Will a water softener help a new shower valve last longer?
Do I need a permit to replace a shower valve?
What should I do if the shower won't shut off?
More plumbing services in Scottsdale
Shower Valve Repair nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: