Fort Washington water heater problems usually start with a worn element, thermostat, thermocouple or valve, or with sediment in the tank, and most of those can be repaired. A tank leaking from its shell has to be replaced. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Fort Washington.
Fort Washington stayed rural until about 1960 and is now a suburb of riverfront homes, cul-de-sacs and neighborhoods such as Tantallon and Fort Washington Forest. The median home was built around 1980, so most heaters here have been replaced at least once. WSSC Water supplies water and sewer, and it adds orthophosphate as a corrosion inhibitor that coats the inside of pipes, including those on your side of the meter. Many houses here have basements, and a heater leaking in a finished one can damage flooring and drywall quickly, so it pays to act on a drip early rather than waiting to see if it gets worse.
Steps to take right now
- If the tank is leaking, close the cold-water valve on the supply line into the heater.
- Switch off the breaker for an electric heater, or set a gas control to off.
- Run a hose from the drain valve to a floor drain only if you are comfortable doing it; otherwise wait for the plumber.
- If you smell gas, leave the house, then call 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (927-4427), option 1, from outside. BGE customers should call BGE at (877) 778-7798.
- Photograph the label so you can read off the size and date.
What you see and what it usually means
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Electric heater gives no heat | Element, thermostat or high-limit reset |
| Gas burner will not light | Thermocouple, igniter or gas control |
| Short supply of hot water | Sediment, a failed lower element or a broken dip tube |
| Rusty hot water only | Worn anode rod or tank corrosion |
| Puddle near the base | Drain valve, fittings or a failing tank |
Cost factors
The part, the fuel type and the heater's location set most of the price. If the visit turns into a replacement, Prince George's County says all plumbing permits come from WSSC Water, and gas water heater and appliance replacements must be done by a gasfitter holding the required license, which adds a permit step. Evening and weekend calls typically cost more than weekday ones, and a heater in a cramped closet or crawl-height space takes longer to work on.
Water Heater Repair questions in Fort Washington
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