For a plumbing emergency in Fairfax, close the main water valve to stop the flow, and if you smell gas, leave first and call 911 and Washington Gas from outside. Then call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Fairfax.
City of Fairfax or Fairfax County?
The City of Fairfax is an independent city and the county seat, but most homes with Fairfax ZIP codes 22030 to 22033 are actually in unincorporated Fairfax County. Both are on Fairfax Water (703-698-5800, which also takes after-hours emergencies). Sewer and permits are where the split matters. The city's median home dates from 1967, so many houses near Old Town Fairfax and George Mason University have older drain lines and valves.
What to do right now
- Close the main shutoff where the water line enters the house.
- For a leaking water heater, close the cold supply valve and turn off the gas or breaker.
- If drains are backing up, stop running water. Inside city limits, call City of Fairfax wastewater services at 703-385-7810, or 703-385-7924 after hours. In the county, call Fairfax County's 24-hour line at 703-323-1211.
- If you smell gas, leave without touching switches, then call 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1.
- Report water flowing in the street or at the meter to Fairfax Water.
- Photograph the damage, then call a plumber.
Call now to be connected with a local plumber in Fairfax.
(202) 915-7612Symptoms and likely causes
| What you notice | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Brown water spreading from a basement wall | A corroded fitting or split older supply line |
| Sewage in the lowest floor drain | A clog or root intrusion in the lateral, or a problem in the public main |
| Rusty water under the water heater | An aging tank that has started to leak |
| Hissing behind drywall and falling pressure | A pinhole or burst pipe in a wall |
| Chlorine smell in the spring | Fairfax Water's seasonal switch to free chlorine, not a plumbing fault |
Cost factors
- Timing. Night, weekend and holiday visits usually cost more.
- Older materials. Decades-old valves and fittings can take extra work to replace.
- Who issues the permit. Inside the city, plumbing permits go to the City of Fairfax Code Administration (703-385-7830). In the county, a gas water heater replacement needs a Household Appliance permit even when like-for-like, and new gas piping needs a Residential Plumbing permit.
- The lateral. In the county, the owner is responsible for the building sewer from the house to the county main, including the connection.
No arrival time is promised; it depends on the hour and the plumber's schedule.
Emergency Plumber questions in Fairfax
Sewage is coming up through a basement floor drain. Who do I call first?
Inside the City of Fairfax, call wastewater services at 703-385-7810, or 703-385-7924 after hours. Outside the city in Fairfax County, call 703-323-1211. If the public main is clear, a plumber clears your lateral.
My address is near a town or county line. How do I tell which utility serves me?
Your sewer bill and tax bill show it. Many homes with Fairfax ZIP codes 22030 to 22033 are in unincorporated Fairfax County, which has its own sewer service and permit office.
Does an emergency water heater replacement need a permit?
Yes. Inside the city, permits go through City of Fairfax Code Administration. In the county, even a like-for-like gas water heater swap needs a Household Appliance permit.
Does a night or weekend plumbing call cost more?
Usually, yes. Evening, weekend and holiday calls typically carry a higher service charge, so ask before the plumber is sent.
More plumbing services in Fairfax
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Helpful guides
Call now to be connected with a local plumber in Fairfax.
(202) 915-7612Sources
- Fairfax County: utility and cable providers
- City of Fairfax: wastewater services
- City of Fairfax: plumbing permit application
- Fairfax County Wastewater Management
- Fairfax County LDS: water heater and gas appliance permits
- Fairfax Water: water quality
- Washington Gas: safety and emergency leak line
- City of Fairfax housing by year built (city-stats.com)
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