Commercial Plumbing in Capitol Heights, MD

Signs a property needs attention

• Drains in a ground-floor shop backing up during heavy rain
• Rusty or low-pressure water from older supply lines
• A sewer smell in a basement or storage room
• Restroom fixtures that run constantly
• A soggy strip between the sidewalk and the building
• A water heater that can't keep up after a tenant change

Local conditions in Capitol Heights

The town began as a 1904 subdivision just beyond the District's eastern edge, where Northeast and Southeast Washington meet, and the Capitol Heights Metro station on the Blue Line serves it today. The Capitol Heights mailing name also covers unincorporated areas around the town, including places near Seat Pleasant and Coral Hills. The median home dates to 1967, and many small commercial buildings along East Capitol Street (MD 214), Central Avenue and Marlboro Pike are of similar age, with the cast iron and galvanized piping that goes with it.

Being next to the District doesn't bring DC rules with it. WSSC Water provides water and wastewater service and its plumbing rules apply, though owners right at the line should confirm by checking the bill. WSSC owns the service line from the main to the property line; the owner is responsible from the property line into the building. WSSC says it removed all known lead pipe from its distribution system in the early 2000s, and its What's Your Pipe Type? program helps owners identify customer-side materials; some customer-side galvanized lines need replacement.

Prince George's County's DPIE issues no plumbing permits. WSSC issues and inspects them, with a satellite office at DPIE (Permit Services 301-206-4003), and water heater replacements and testable backflow devices need one. For building permits, DPIE publishes a matrix showing which duties belong to the county and which to the town. Service line repairs, repiping and all gas work need a professional with a WSSC license. Backflow assemblies must be tested every year by a certified cross-connection technician (county line 301-206-8601). Washington Gas serves the area; if anyone smells gas, leave first, then call 911 and 844-WASHGAS (927-4427), option 1.

What affects cost

• Pipe age and material
• How many fixtures or units are on the problem line
• Camera work or leak location
• After-hours scheduling
• Permits and inspections

When you call

Tell us the type of building, what's happening and whether you can stay open. You'll be connected with an independent local plumber who handles commercial work in Capitol Heights. Ask about scheduling and pricing first.