The City of Fairfax lists Fairfax Water as its water utility, and Fairfax Water owns the meter while the buried line from the meter to your house is the owner's plumbing. A plumber can locate and repair a leak on that line or replace it. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Fairfax.
Fairfax in brief
The City of Fairfax is a small independent city and the county seat, legally separate from Fairfax County, with a redeveloped Old Town core and George Mason University just to the south. Most of ZIPs 22030 to 22033 outside the city limits is unincorporated Fairfax County. The local median home was built in 1967, so many houses here have service lines that have been in the ground for more than half a century. Old pipe, tired joints and corrosion are common reasons for a leak.
What to do now
- Close the main. If water is coming into the house, shut the main valve where the line enters.
- Check the meter. Turn off every fixture and watch for movement on the dial or leak indicator.
- Look at the meter box. Water pooling there or in the street goes to Fairfax Water at 703-698-5800.
- Trace the wet ground. Note where the lawn is soft or greener between the meter and the house.
- Know your jurisdiction. Inside city limits, plumbing permits go to the City's Code Administration office; outside, to Fairfax County Land Development Services.
- Call a plumber. A plumber can pinpoint the leak and price the repair.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Rusty water first thing in the morning | Aging galvanized pipe somewhere in the supply |
| Wet front yard in dry weather | Leak in the buried service line |
| Weak flow at every fixture | Corroded or partly broken line |
| Meter turning with all water off | Hidden leak past the meter |
| Water at the basement wall entry | Failed fitting or cracked pipe at the wall |
Cost factors
- Age and material of the existing line
- Length of the run from meter to house
- Patching one spot versus a full replacement
- Walks, steps, driveways and trees over the line
- Permits: inside the city, Code Administration on Armstrong Street, 703-385-7830; outside, Fairfax County LDS through PLUS
Plumber Washington DC Pros is a referral service, not a plumbing company. Your call reaches an independent local plumber who works in and around the City of Fairfax. Mention whether you're inside city limits, since that decides who issues the permit, and describe where the water is showing up so the plumber can plan the visit.
Water Line Repair questions in Fairfax
Who owns the pipe between the water meter and my house?
Does repairing or replacing a water service line need a permit here?
When does replacing the whole line make more sense than a patch?
How can I use my water meter to check for a hidden leak?
More plumbing services in Fairfax
Water Line Repair nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
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