Leak Detection in Chevy Chase, MD

Signs to watch for

• Water use on the WSSC Water bill rising for no clear reason
• A meter that keeps moving with every tap and appliance off
• Cracked or stained plaster below a bathroom
• Rusty water at one faucet, which can point to corroded galvanized pipe
• Warped floorboards near a radiator, kitchen or laundry
• Low pressure on an upper floor that has gotten worse over time

Chevy Chase conditions

Chevy Chase grew as an 1890s streetcar suburb along Connecticut Avenue, and its housing reflects that: in ZIP 20815, about 68 percent of homes were built before 1980, including more than 2,600 built in 1939 or earlier. Houses of that age often mix original galvanized steel with copper added over the years, and those transition points are where leaks often begin. Plaster walls and finished basements hide slow drips well.

WSSC Water provides water and sewer, and it adds orthophosphate to coat pipe interiors and limit corrosion. WSSC also notes that homes with a lead service line may need to flush their pipes longer, and its service line inventory map shows what's on record for an address.

Chevy Chase is a patchwork of incorporated towns and villages alongside an unincorporated area. Plumbing permits come from WSSC Water. In the Town of Chevy Chase, larger projects need a Town permit too, and the Town won't approve one until the County permit is issued. A simple leak repair seldom triggers that, but extensive repiping or exterior work might.

What affects the cost

• Plaster and tile that take more time to open and restore than drywall
• Older valves that won't shut fully, making isolation testing slower
• Equipment needed: thermal imaging, acoustic listening or pressure testing
• Whether one section can be repaired or corroded pipe should be replaced
• Permits from WSSC Water and, for larger projects, the Town

What happens when you call

An independent plumber who serves Chevy Chase will ask about the house's age, what you've noticed and whether you've checked the meter. Mention plaster walls, recent renovations or past leaks. If water is coming up near the street, call WSSC Water at 301-206-4002 first.