Plumbers in Takoma Park, MD

Azalea City, five miles out

Takoma Park was laid out in 1883 as a Victorian-era commuter suburb, incorporated in 1890, and today is a city with a council-manager government about 5 miles from downtown Washington. People call it Azalea City. A large National Register historic district, a heavy tree canopy, Takoma Junction, Carroll Avenue, Sligo Creek Park and Washington Adventist University all shape the place, with New Hampshire Avenue, East West Highway and University Boulevard crossing it.

The housing is old, and it shows

The median Takoma Park home was built in 1954, and the historic core is much older. Expect a lot of mixed piping: galvanized supply lines next to newer copper or PEX, cast iron drain stacks, and sewer laterals under big trees whose roots find every joint. Low water pressure from clogged galvanized pipe, slow basement drains, backups after summer downpours and pipes in old exterior walls freezing in a cold snap are all regular calls. A sewer camera inspection before buying or renovating is a sensible step here.

Lead and the service line

The water service line is split: part belongs to WSSC Water and part to the owner, and WSSC asks to be told if you plan to replace your part. Through its What's Your Pipe Type program, WSSC inventories service line material on both sides, verifies lines listed as lead, unknown or galvanized, and helps customers replace lead lines on either portion. In a house of this age, it is worth looking up your address.

Water quality and hardness

WSSC disinfects with chlorine, not the chloramine DC Water uses a few blocks away, and adds fluoride. Its tap analysis shows Potomac plant water averaging about 140 mg/L of hardness and Patuxent plant water about 64 mg/L; which plant serves a given address varies. WSSC's Emergency Service Center (301-206-4002) handles water and sewer emergencies.

Permits

Most plumbing projects, including service line repairs and replacements, need a plumber or gasfitter holding a WSSC Water license, and the permit is filed through WSSC ePermitting (Permit Services, 301-206-4003). For building permits, WSSC points to Montgomery County's land development and residential permit processing line, 240-777-6323. Lawn irrigation backflow assemblies need a yearly test reported at spring start-up by a certified cross-connection technician.

Gas safety

Washington Gas serves Takoma Park. If you smell gas, leave the house first, then call 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1.

Calling from Takoma Park

Tell us your street and what is going on. You will be connected with an independent local plumber, comfortable with older houses, who sets price and timing directly with you.