Chevy Chase is one of the region's oldest suburbs, and many of its houses still rely on service lines installed long ago, so leaks and fading pressure are common. A plumber can find the failure and repair or replace the line under a WSSC Water permit, with town approval where an incorporated town requires it. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Chevy Chase.
Warning signs
- Pressure that has faded slowly over years at every fixture
- Discolored water when you first open a tap in the morning
- Moisture on the front basement wall where the line comes in
- A strip of lawn or a section of walk that stays damp
- The meter dial turning when nothing in the house is on
Chevy Chase conditions
Chevy Chase began in the 1890s as a streetcar suburb along Connecticut Avenue, and its housing reflects that history. In ZIP 20815, about two-thirds of homes were built before 1980 and more than 2,600 were built in 1939 or earlier. Lines that old are often galvanized steel or early copper, and galvanized pipe in particular closes up from the inside as it rusts. Lots with mature trees, old stone walls and brick walks also make the route harder to dig.
WSSC Water supplies water and sewer, and it says homes with a lead service line may need to flush their pipes longer; its service line inventory map lists recorded materials by address. Plumbing permits come from WSSC, and most plumbing work, including water service line repairs, is reserved for a plumber registered with WSSC Water. Chevy Chase is also a patchwork of small incorporated towns and villages plus an unincorporated area. The Town of Chevy Chase, for example, issues its own permits for work such as driveways, walls and right-of-way work, and will not approve them until the County permit is issued.
What affects the cost
- Length and depth of the run from the meter to the house
- Hardscape, old trees and garden walls along the route
- Trenchless pulling versus open digging
- Replacing the main shutoff and any galvanized pipe just inside the wall
- WSSC permitting, plus any town permit for disturbing driveways or public space
What happens when you call
Your call is routed to an independent plumber who works in Chevy Chase and the nearby neighborhoods along the DC line. Mention which town or village you live in, roughly when the house was built and what you have noticed. If water is surfacing at the curb or in the street, report it first to WSSC Water at 301-206-4002. The plumber will confirm the leak, locate the line and lay out repair and replacement options, including what permits apply on your street.
Water Line Repair questions in Chevy Chase
Does a water service line repair need a permit?
How do I find out whether my service line is lead or galvanized?
Can a new line go in without digging a trench across the whole yard?
Can a failing service line drop the pressure everywhere in the house?
More plumbing services in Chevy Chase
Water Line Repair nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: