A plumbing inspection in Reston is a plumber's check of the water heater, supply lines, drains, fixtures, shutoffs and gas connections, plus a camera run of the sewer line if you want one. Much of Reston's housing comes from the 1970s through the 1990s, so original equipment is often due for a look. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Reston.
Reston is a planned community founded in 1964, with village centers like Lake Anne, Hunters Woods and South Lakes, heavy tree canopy, and housing built mostly from the 1970s into the 1990s; the median home dates to about 1983. Water comes from Fairfax Water and sewer service from Fairfax County.
What to do now
- Find the main shutoff and the water heater, and note the date on the heater's label if you can read it.
- Ask the seller or HOA about past leaks, repipes or sewer backups.
- Check whether there's an accessible sewer cleanout, since big trees can mean roots in the lateral.
- List any slow drains, running toilets or dripping valves.
- Book the plumber early in the inspection window.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Popping or rumbling from the tank | Sediment; Fairfax Water's Potomac plant water averages about 7.5 grains per gallon |
| Several slow drains at once | Partial blockage or roots in the lateral |
| Valve won't fully shut off the house | Worn original main shutoff |
| Pressure changes or banging pipes | Failing pressure regulator or loose piping |
| Chlorine smell in spring | Fairfax Water's seasonal switch from chloramine to free chlorine |
Fairfax Water owns the meter; the line from the meter to the shutoff inside the house belongs to the owner. In houses built from 1971 to 1980 the meter is often inside, which changes where the plumber starts. The private sewer lateral is also the owner's, and the County doesn't mark it. Fairfax Water's Lead Free Fairfax survey asks owners to report their pipe material.
Cost factors
- Home size, number of baths and whether it's a townhouse or detached house
- Adding a sewer camera run
- Access to the heater, shutoff and cleanout
- A written report for a sale
If repairs follow, Fairfax County Land Development Services handles the permits through PLUS: a like-for-like gas water heater swap uses a Household Appliance permit, and new gas piping needs a Residential Plumbing permit. Ask the plumber to separate urgent findings from items you can plan for over the next few years.
Washington Gas serves Reston. If you smell gas at any point, leave the house first, then call 911 and 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1.
Plumbing Inspection questions in Reston
What deserves extra attention in an older home?
Why does the tap water smell more like chlorine in spring?
Which office issues the permit if the inspection leads to repairs?
How long does a plumbing inspection usually take?
More plumbing services in Reston
Plumbing Inspection nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: