Water Softener in Chevy Chase, MD

Signs to look for

• Chalky film on shower glass and chrome
• Showerheads and aerators that clog with white grit
• A water heater that rumbles while it heats
• Spotty glassware no matter which detergent you buy
• An older softener that stopped keeping up

Water and housing in Chevy Chase

WSSC Water supplies the area from its Potomac and Patuxent plants, with UV treatment at the plants, chlorine in the distribution system and orthophosphate to help protect pipe interiors. Hardness is moderate and shifts with the source, so a tap test is the place to start.

The bigger local factor is age. Along Connecticut Avenue, Jones Bridge Road and the streets of the original streetcar suburb, many houses date to the early twentieth century. Basements may hold galvanized steel, older copper with soldered patches, or a main valve that hasn't turned in decades. A plumber will often suggest replacing the shutoff and adding a bypass so the softener can be isolated, and may recommend swapping a corroded section rather than tapping into it.

Plumbing permits come from WSSC Water Permit Services. The Town of Chevy Chase issues its own permits for projects such as additions, decks, fences and pools, and won't approve one until the county permit is issued. A softener on its own isn't that kind of work, but if it's part of a larger renovation, allow for the Town step.

Cost factors

• Pipe and valve condition at the main in an older basement
• Access around finished walls, built-in storage or old ductwork
• Routing the brine line to a drain with an air gap
• Unit size for the household and measured hardness
• Optional carbon filtration for chlorine taste

When you call

You'll be connected with an independent plumber who works in Chevy Chase. Mention the age of the house, whether the basement is finished and where the water heater sits. If the house is in one of the incorporated towns or villages and you're planning other work, say so; it helps the plumber flag any permit steps early. If you'd like one kitchen tap left on unsoftened water for drinking, ask about it up front; the plumber can often run a separate cold line from ahead of the softener.