Plumbers in Falls Church, VA

A small city with a big mailing area

Falls Church became a town in 1875 and an independent city in 1948, when it separated from Fairfax County. With 14,658 residents in the 2020 Census, it is small and affluent, sitting just inside the Beltway about 8 miles from downtown Washington where U.S. 29 (Lee Highway and Washington Street) meets Route 7 (Broad Street and Leesburg Pike). Tinner Hill and the historic Falls Church parish are in the city. The Falls Church mailing area spreads much farther, into Fairfax and Arlington counties; Seven Corners, for example, has a Falls Church address but is in Fairfax County.

Water from Fairfax Water

The city says water service is provided by Fairfax Water (703-698-5800). The city once ran its own water utility, which also served much of eastern Fairfax County, before selling it to Fairfax Water. Supply comes from Fairfax Water's Potomac River and Occoquan Reservoir plants, and some customers receive Potomac water treated by the Washington Aqueduct. The disinfectant changes with the season, chloramines normally from July through March and free chlorine from about April through June, which can shift the taste and smell. Fairfax Water's data describe moderately hard water near 7.5 grains per gallon at its Corbalis plant. Its Lead Free Fairfax survey asks owners to identify their side of the service line, which is worth doing in an older house.

City sewers and a backflow reimbursement

The City of Falls Church Department of Public Works operates and maintains the sewer system; part of the flow is treated at Arlington County's pollution control plant and the rest travels through Fairfax County to the Alexandria treatment plant. Defects in a private lateral belong to the owner. The city's Backflow Prevention Program reimburses homeowners for a sewer backflow prevention device installed by a plumber with a plumbing permit, a worthwhile protection for a finished basement.

Older homes

The median home in the city was built around 1971, and about half were built before then. That means plenty of original drain lines, aging supply piping, worn shutoffs and older water heater closets, plus basements that need working sump pumps and floor drains after summer storms.

Permits and drinking water backflow

Inside city limits, the Department of Code Administration issues permits at 300 Park Avenue (703-248-5080, [email protected]). Falls Church addresses outside the city are permitted by Fairfax County or Arlington County. On the drinking water side, Fairfax Water's cross-connection rules require backflow assemblies to be tested at installation, every year after and after repair or replacement, with test reports filed.

Gas

The city lists Washington Gas as its gas utility. If you smell gas, leave the building first, then call 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1.

Falls Church and the District

Falls Church's older houses resemble many in DC, but the agencies differ: Fairfax Water and city sewers and permits instead of DC Water and the DC Department of Buildings. Call with your address and the problem, and you will be connected with an independent plumber who sets price and timing with you.