Plumbers in Burtonsville, MD

Eastern edge of Montgomery County

Burtonsville is centered on the meeting of US 29 (Columbia Pike) and MD 198, about 16 miles from downtown Washington and right along the Howard County line. Montgomery County governs it, and its boundaries are not officially fixed. Neighborhoods include Greencastle, Country Place, Briarcliff and the Kruhm Road area, and many residents commute by bus from the Burtonsville Park and Ride. Old Columbia Pike still runs through the original crossroads.

1980s housing

The median home was built in 1985. Houses of that vintage are usually past their original water heater and often their second, and they are getting to the age where supply valves seize, toilet flanges rot, shower valves drip and builder-grade faucets give out. Sump pumps in finished basements and exterior hose bibs that freeze in January are steady winter and storm-season topics.

WSSC service

WSSC Water provides public water and sewer across most of Montgomery County. The county Water and Sewer Plan sets a category for every property, so if you are unsure, confirm service by address. WSSC's water quality report lists a chlorine residual as the disinfectant, UV as an extra barrier at the plants, and orthophosphate to curb corrosion.

The split of responsibility is clear: WSSC owns the service line from the main to the property line, and the homeowner owns everything from the property line into the house. A leak in your yard between the property line and the foundation is a plumber's job; a break in the street goes to WSSC's emergency line, 301-206-4002. WSSC says it has removed all known lead pipe from its distribution system and helps customers identify private-side pipe material through its pipe type program.

Permits and backflow

WSSC Water issues permits for and inspects plumbing and all natural gas and LP gas installations in Montgomery and Prince George's counties. Gas water heater, furnace and gas appliance replacements must be done by a plumber or gasfitter holding a WSSC license under a WSSC permit, applied for through ePermitting (301-206-4003). If you have in-ground irrigation, its backflow assembly needs a test each year by a WSSC-certified cross-connection technician, and dual check valves are rebuilt or replaced every five years.

Gas

Washington Gas serves Montgomery County; because Burtonsville borders Howard County, check the utility named on your bill. If you smell gas, leave the house first, then call 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1, or the utility on your bill.

What happens next

Call the number on this page, give your neighborhood and the problem, and you will be connected with an independent local plumber who sets the price and timing with you.