Reston homes on Fairfax Water own the underground line from the meter to the main shutoff in the house, so a leak on that run is a plumbing repair. A plumber can trace it, then fix the damaged section or replace the line. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Reston.
Reston at a glance
Reston is a planned community in unincorporated Fairfax County, founded in 1964, with village centers, four man-made lakes and a heavy tree canopy. Its median home was built in 1983, so many houses and townhouses are entering the age where original fittings and service lines start to wear. Mature trees planted with the early villages now have root systems that can crowd and stress buried pipe.
What to do now
- Stop serious flow. If water is running inside, close the main shutoff valve where the line enters the house.
- Check the meter. With everything off, watch the leak indicator. Movement means water is escaping past the meter.
- Find the wet zone. Walk the likely path from the meter to the foundation and note soggy, sunken or greener ground.
- Decide whose side it is. Fairfax Water owns the meter. A leak at the meter goes to Fairfax Water at 703-698-5800; past it, call a plumber.
- Tell your community association. Many Reston clusters share common ground, so let them know before digging near shared areas.
- Look up your pipe. Fairfax Water's service line inventory and Lead Free Fairfax survey help identify your side's material.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Wet ground along the line's path | Leak in the buried service line |
| Low pressure at every fixture | Partial break, crushed pipe or a failing valve |
| Meter moving with all taps closed | Hidden leak in the line or the house |
| Water by the shutoff inside | Failed fitting where the pipe enters |
| Leak showing after a hard freeze | Pipe split near the foundation |
Cost factors
- Length of the run and how deep it sits
- Whether one joint fails or the whole line should go
- Roots, retaining walls, wooded slopes and paths over the pipe
- Restoring turf or hardscape to association standards
- Fairfax County Land Development Services permits for new, repaired or relocated plumbing, filed through PLUS
Plumber Washington DC Pros is a referral service rather than a plumbing company, so your call is connected with an independent local plumber who works in Reston. The plumber can confirm the leak, show you where it is and explain whether a repair or a new line is the better value before any digging starts.
Water Line Repair questions in Reston
Can tree roots or yard projects damage a water line?
Should I call the water utility or a plumber first?
When does replacing the whole line make more sense than a patch?
What happens to my driveway, walk or lawn during the repair?
More plumbing services in Reston
Water Line Repair nearby
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