Most Redlands shower valve problems, from steady drips to temperature jumps and stiff handles, come from a worn cartridge, seat or seal, and a plumber can usually replace those through the trim. If the valve body is cracked or obsolete, it needs to be replaced. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Redlands.
How hard is Redlands water, and does it affect shower valves?
The City of Redlands draws surface water from the Santa Ana River and Mill Creek watersheds and groundwater from the Bunker Hill Basin, which covers about half of normal demand, with State Water Project water added during peak periods. The City's 2022 water quality report (2021 data) lists groundwater hardness averaging 152 mg/L, with a range of 100 to 200, and treated surface water averaging 135 mg/L. Either way, it is hard enough to leave mineral deposits on shower cartridges, seats and the pressure-balancing spool. That buildup is why many valves here get stiff before they start dripping. The same report lists chlorine as the disinfectant.
Should I repair or replace my shower valve?
If the valve body is solid and parts are still made, repairing it with a new cartridge or rebuilt stems is normally the better value. Replacement makes sense when the body is cracked, leaks at a pipe joint, has threads too worn to hold a cartridge, or comes from a manufacturer that no longer supports it. Replacement is also a chance to add a pressure-balancing or thermostatic valve if the current one has no scald protection, which can be true of very old two-handle valves.
Who issues plumbing permits in Redlands?
The City of Redlands Building & Safety Division, through its One Stop Permit Center at 35 Cajon Street, issues plumbing permits along with building, electrical and mechanical permits. Work can be started through the City's online portal. Ask your plumber whether a valve body replacement in your home needs a permit; a simple cartridge swap is a repair.
Local note
The City reports no lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines in its distribution system, and it publishes inventory maps. That covers the service line, not the pipes inside your walls, so older Redlands homes can still have aging galvanized piping feeding a shower. A plumber will see the supply connections when the valve is opened. For questions on the City side, Redlands customer service is listed at (909) 798-7516. If a shower ever fails open and keeps running, close the main shutoff at the house first; a plumber can then isolate the valve and make the repair without the rest of the home going dry for long.
Shower Valve Repair questions in Redlands
Will our hard water make the shower valve stiff?
Is a permit required for shower valve work in this town?
Should we upgrade to a thermostatic or pressure-balance valve?
How would I know the valve is leaking behind the wall?
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