Plumbers in Riverdale, MD

One post office, more than one place

The Riverdale mailing address (ZIP 20737) covers the incorporated Town of Riverdale Park, which was incorporated on June 14, 1920 as the Town of Riverdale and renamed in 1998, plus unincorporated Prince George's County areas such as Riverdale Heights. The post office still uses the old name. The area sits about 6 miles from downtown Washington in a straight line, just south of College Park along Baltimore Avenue (US 1), with Kenilworth Avenue (MD 201) and East-West Highway (MD 410) crossing it. The historic Riversdale mansion, Riverdale Park Station and the Riverdale Park Town Center MARC stop on the Camden Line are local landmarks. It is an older streetcar suburb, home to many University of Maryland students and staff.

Mid-century and older homes

The median home in Riverdale Park was built around 1957. Many houses from that era still carry galvanized steel supply lines, cast iron drains and older sewer laterals, often with a mix of later repairs. Plumbers here are often called for weak water pressure, rust-tinged water, slow basement drains, roots in the lateral and water heaters wedged into tight basements. A house that has had several owners and renovations may hide old and new pipe side by side behind the walls, so a plumber will often look before quoting.

Water, hardness and sewer

WSSC Water supplies water and sewer service in the area and disinfects with chlorine rather than chloramine. Hardness depends on the plant serving your street: WSSC's tap analysis shows Potomac plant water averaging 140 mg/L and Patuxent plant water averaging 64 mg/L. At the higher figure, scale builds up in tankless heaters and on aerators over time. For water or sewer emergencies, call WSSC's Emergency Service Center at 301-206-4002.

Part of each water service line is WSSC's and part is the customer's, and WSSC asks owners to notify it before replacing their portion. Its "What's Your Pipe Type?" program inventories line materials on both sides, verifies lines listed as lead, unknown or galvanized, and helps customers replace lead lines on either portion.

Permits

• Most plumbing work, including water and sewer service line repairs and replacements, must be done by a plumber or gasfitter holding a WSSC Water license, under a WSSC permit applied for through WSSC ePermitting (Permit Services 301-206-4003).
• Building permits are handled by Prince George's County DPIE. Inside the Town of Riverdale Park, check with the town about any added local step before a larger project.
• Gas appliance work needs a WSSC permit and a gasfitter holding a WSSC license.

Gas safety

The Town of Riverdale Park lists Washington Gas as its gas utility; homes in the unincorporated parts of 20737 should check their bill. If you smell gas, move everyone outside first, then call 911 and the Washington Gas Emergency Leak Line, 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1.

Compared with the District

The housing resembles parts of Northeast Washington, but the District's DC Water and Department of Buildings do not reach here; WSSC does the water and plumbing permits. When you call, say whether you are in the town or nearby and what is going on, and you will be connected with an independent plumber who sets the price and timing with you.