A Lorton plumbing inspection is a plumber's walk-through of the water heater, supply and drain lines, fixtures, shutoffs, sump pump, gas connections and any backflow device, with a sewer camera run if needed. Much of Lorton's housing is newer, so original equipment rather than old pipe is the usual focus. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Lorton.
Lorton sits along I-95 and Route 1 in southern Fairfax County, between Fort Belvoir and the Occoquan River, and includes the Laurel Hill area around the former reformatory. Only about 17% of homes in the 22079 ZIP predate 1980; the 2000s were the busiest building decade. Fairfax Water's Griffith plant, which treats Occoquan Reservoir water, sits nearby, and the County's Noman M. Cole, Jr. Water Recycling Facility treats wastewater here.
What to do now
- Locate the main shutoff, water heater, sump pit and outside cleanout.
- Read the water heater label for its age.
- Ask the seller or HOA about past leaks, sump failures or sewer backups.
- Find the last irrigation backflow test report if there's a sprinkler system.
- Schedule the plumber early in the inspection period.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Water around the heater base | Relief valve discharge or a failing tank |
| Sump pump short-cycles | Float switch or check valve problem |
| Pressure too high, toilets refill on their own | Worn regulator or fill valves |
| Slow main drain | Blockage or debris in the lateral |
| Chlorine smell in spring | Fairfax Water's seasonal disinfectant switch |
Fairfax Water owns the line up to and including the meter, and the owner has the rest; its Lead Free Fairfax survey asks customers to identify their side's material. The water is moderately hard to hard, so expect some sediment in a tank that's never been flushed. Fairfax County owns the public sewer, and the owner maintains the private lateral. Testable backflow assemblies, like those on lawn irrigation, must be tested at installation, after repairs and every year by a certified tester on the County's authorized list.
Cost factors
- Home size and number of baths
- Adding a sewer camera run
- Sump, irrigation and other extra connections to look at
- Access in finished basements
Older houses toward Mason Neck and Newington can differ from the newer Laurel Hill streets, so tell the plumber the build year when you call; it changes what they look at first. Washington Gas serves Lorton. If you smell gas, leave the building, then call 911 and 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1. Repairs are permitted by Fairfax County Land Development Services.
Plumbing Inspection questions in Lorton
Is an inspection worth it on a newer house?
If sewage backs up, should I call the utility or a plumber first?
Why does the tap water smell more like chlorine in spring?
Which office issues the permit if the inspection leads to repairs?
More plumbing services in Lorton
Plumbing Inspection nearby
Sources
- Fairfax Water: water quality
- Fairfax Water: lead and copper information
- Fairfax Water: Corbalis plant finished-water analysis
- Prince William Water: water treatment facilities
- Fairfax County Wastewater Management
- Fairfax County: cross connections
- Fairfax County Land Development Services
- Housing by year built: Lorton (ZIP 22079)
- Washington Gas: safety
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