Clemmons grew mostly in the 1990s and 2000s, so its showers typically have single-handle pressure-balancing valves whose cartridges are now reaching the end of their life. Replacing the cartridge from the front of the wall fixes most drips and temperature problems. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Clemmons.
Shower valves in Clemmons homes
Clemmons grew from about 6,000 people in 1990 to roughly 21,000 in 2020, and Census survey figures put the median build year at 1994. Many bathrooms here have their original single-handle valves, and after two or three decades the cartridge seals and balancing spool are often worn. Water comes from Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities, which reports soft water (average hardness 17.5 ppm) disinfected with chlorine, so mineral scale is seldom what jams a Clemmons cartridge. The roughly 29% of homes built before 1980 are where a plumber is more likely to find a two-handle valve instead.
What to do right now
- If the shower won't shut off, close the main shutoff valve for the house. Some valves also have built-in stops behind the trim.
- If water is showing up outside the shower, stop using that shower and look at the ceiling below and the wall behind it for staining.
- If it only drips, it can usually wait for a scheduled visit; put a cup under the head to see how fast it's dripping.
- Find the brand on the handle or trim plate, or take a photo of the trim, so the right cartridge can be brought.
- Check for an access panel behind the shower, often in a closet or the next room.
Symptoms and likely causes
| What you notice | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Slow drip from the head after shutoff | Worn cartridge seals |
| Temperature jumps when a toilet flushes | Worn pressure-balancing spool |
| Shower never gets fully hot | Limit stop set too low or worn cartridge |
| Handle is stiff or grinding | Dry or damaged cartridge |
| Tub spout runs while showering | Worn diverter |
| Stain on ceiling below | Leak at valve, trim seal or supply connection |
What affects the cost
- Whether a cartridge or diverter solves it, or the valve body needs replacing
- The valve brand and how easy the part is to match
- Whether there's an access panel or tile has to be opened
- Whether new trim is needed with a new valve
- Any water damage found behind the wall
If the valve is replaced, plumbing permits for Clemmons go through the joint Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections Division, and the plumber can tell you whether one is needed.
Shower Valve Repair questions in Clemmons
Someone flushed a toilet and my shower went scalding. Is the valve to blame?
When is a new cartridge enough, and when does the whole valve need replacing?
Does our water leave mineral scale that sticks shower cartridges?
The shower won't turn off. How do I stop the water?
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