Plumbing Inspection in Montgomery Village, MD

Why does the build era matter here?

Montgomery Village is a large planned community next to Gaithersburg, built mostly by Kettler Brothers in the late 1960s and 1970s around villages such as Goshenside, Walkers Choice and Cider Mill. In ZIP 20886 roughly half of all homes predate 1980, and the 1970s were the biggest building decade. Houses and townhouses from that era can still have original shutoff valves, drain lines and tub and shower valves, even when kitchens and baths look updated.

A plumber checks whether those older valves still close, how the drain stacks look where they're visible, whether supply lines have been partly replaced, and how much life the water heater has left. In attached homes, the location of the main shutoff and any shared piping is worth noting too.

What about the water itself?

WSSC Water supplies water and sewer. It states that it removed all known lead pipe from its distribution system in the early 2000s and that water leaving its plants is free of lead. It adds orthophosphate as a corrosion inhibitor and notes that homes with a lead service line may need to run the tap longer before use. Its online service line inventory map shows known or reported pipe material for an address, and questions can go to [email protected].

What happens if the plumber finds problems?

Most plumbing work in Montgomery County, including all gas work such as gas water heater and furnace replacements and water or sewer service line repairs, must be done by a plumber or gasfitter registered with WSSC under a WSSC permit. Only registered master plumbers and gasfitters can apply through WSSC's ePermitting system. Building permits, where a project needs one, come from Montgomery County's Department of Permitting Services in Wheaton.

A local note

Many Montgomery Village basements and lower levels sit close to grade, so the plumber may also check floor drains and any sump pump. If you smell gas during a visit or after moving in, leave the house first, then call 911 and the Washington Gas emergency line at 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1. Bring any HOA or condo documents that mention who maintains shared pipes so the plumber's notes can be read against them.