A Derwood plumbing inspection is a plumber's review of the water heater, supply and drain lines, fixtures, shutoffs, pressure and gas connections, plus a camera run of the sewer line if you want one. About two-thirds of homes here were built in the 1980s, so the visit centers on equipment that's reaching the end of its run. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Derwood.
Derwood is an unincorporated community just north of Rockville and southeast of Gaithersburg, near the Shady Grove Metro and Lake Needwood. Its median home was built around 1985, and only about 15% predate 1980. WSSC Water supplies water and sewer here, and most of its Montgomery County sewage is treated at the Blue Plains plant. WSSC handles the service line from the main to the property line, and the owner is responsible from there into the house.
What to do now
- Check the water heater label for its date and note any rust at the base.
- Find the main shutoff and the pressure-reducing valve next to it.
- Look up the address on WSSC's service line inventory map.
- If there's a sprinkler system, find the backflow device and any test tag.
- List slow drains, drips or running toilets for the plumber.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Banging pipes when a valve shuts | Water hammer from high pressure or loose piping |
| Faucets that drip after being fully closed | Worn cartridges or washers |
| Puddle near the water heater | Leaking tank, fitting or relief valve discharge |
| Toilet that refills on its own | Flapper or fill valve worn out |
| Musty smell near the basement floor drain | Dry trap or a drain that needs attention |
Homes with in-ground irrigation need a yearly backflow test by a WSSC-certified cross-connection technician, so a buyer should ask for the last result. Any repairs that come out of the visit go through a WSSC Water permit, and gas water heater, furnace and appliance replacements must be done by a plumber or gasfitter registered with WSSC.
Cost factors
- Square footage, baths and a finished lower level
- Number of backflow devices
- Adding a camera run of the building sewer
- Access to the water heater and mechanical area
- Any written report you need
Many Derwood houses from the 1980s have finished lower levels, which can hide supply lines and drain joints behind drywall. The plumber may check for water stains, warm spots or a meter that keeps moving with every fixture off. If you smell gas at any point, leave the house first, then call 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1, from outside.
Plumbing Inspection questions in Derwood
Is a plumbing inspection worth it on a newer house?
Can the plumber check basement drains and the sump pump too?
The home inspector already went through the house. Why add a plumber?
What should I do with the plumber's findings before closing?
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