When water or sewage is where it shouldn't be in a Bristow home, close the main water valve; if gas is in the air, leave first and call 911 and your gas utility from outside. Then call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Bristow.
Bristow at a glance
Bristow sits in western Prince William County between Manassas and Gainesville, inside the Linton Hall area, where the median home was built in 2004. Most homes are in HOA subdivisions such as Braemar, Victory Lakes and Kingsbrooke. Prince William Water provides water and sewer; western-county customers are on its West System, which blends Potomac River water treated by Fairfax Water with Lake Manassas water treated by the City of Manassas. Both Columbia Gas of Virginia and Washington Gas operate in the county, so your gas bill tells you which utility you have.
What to do right now
- Close the main water valve, usually in the basement or utility room where the line enters.
- If the water heater is leaking, close the cold supply above it and turn off its gas valve or breaker.
- If drains are backing up, stop using water. If several homes on the street are affected, call Prince William Water's emergency dispatch at 703-335-7990.
- If you smell gas, leave without touching switches, then call 911 and the gas utility on your bill from outside. On propane, call 911 and your propane supplier.
- Water flowing in the street, at a hydrant or from the meter box also goes to Prince William Water dispatch.
- Take photos for insurance, then call a plumber.
Symptoms and likely causes
| What you notice | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Water under the kitchen sink or behind the washer | A burst supply hose or loose compression fitting |
| Water collecting at the base of the water heater | A worn-out tank, a relief valve or a loose connection |
| Basement drain overflowing in a storm | A failed sump pump or overwhelmed drain |
| Upstairs ceiling stain after a hard freeze | A pipe near an exterior wall or above the garage that split |
| Toilets gurgling and backing up together | A clog in the main house drain |
What affects cost
- Time of the call. Nights, weekends and holidays generally cost more than a weekday appointment.
- Finished spaces. Many Bristow basements are finished, so reaching a pipe can mean opening drywall.
- Permits. Prince William County issues plumbing and gas permits; converting to a gas tankless heater needs a gas permit, plus a plumbing permit if water piping is extended more than 10 feet or the material changes.
- Size of the fix. A hose or valve is quick; a heater or main drain repair takes longer.
When you call, a landmark like Linton Hall Road or the Broad Run VRE station helps, and no arrival time is promised.
Emergency Plumber questions in Bristow
Water is gushing from the street or the meter box. Who handles that?
We heat with propane. What changes in a gas emergency?
The basement is taking on water during a storm. Is that a plumbing emergency?
The water heater tank is leaking. How urgent is that?
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