For a Falls Church plumbing emergency, close the main water valve to stop the leak, and if you smell gas, get outside and call 911 and Washington Gas. Then call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Falls Church.
Falls Church basics
The City of Falls Church is a small independent city just inside the Beltway, where Route 29 and Route 7 meet. Fairfax Water supplies the city's water (703-698-5800), and the city's Department of Public Works runs the sewer system, sending wastewater to Arlington County's plant and the Alexandria treatment plant. The Falls Church mailing area spreads well past the city into Fairfax and Arlington counties, including places like Seven Corners, where county rules apply. The city's median home was built in 1971, and about half its homes are older than that.
What to do right now
- Close the main shutoff, typically in the basement where the line comes in.
- If the water heater is leaking, close its cold supply and turn off the gas or power.
- If sewage is coming up, stop using water anywhere in the house.
- If you smell gas, leave without touching switches and call 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1, from outside.
- Report water flowing in the street or at the meter to Fairfax Water.
- Take photos, then call a plumber.
Symptoms and likely causes
| What you notice | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Water seeping through a basement wall near the front of the house | A leak in the service line or at an old main valve |
| Sewage in a basement floor drain after heavy rain | A clog or defect in the private lateral |
| Rust-colored water around the water heater | An aging tank beginning to fail |
| Ceiling drip below a bathroom | A worn toilet seal, shower valve or drain joint |
| A split pipe after a freezing night | Pipes in an exterior wall or unheated space |
Cost factors
- Timing. Night, weekend and holiday calls usually cost more.
- Who owns the defect. Defects in a private sewer lateral are the owner's responsibility.
- Permits. City of Falls Church addresses get permits from the Department of Code Administration (703-248-5080); Falls Church-addressed properties outside the city go to Fairfax or Arlington County.
- Prevention. The city's Backflow Prevention Program reimburses homeowners for a sewer backflow prevention device installed under a plumbing permit, worth asking about after a backup.
No arrival time is promised; it depends on the hour and the plumber's schedule.
Emergency Plumber questions in Falls Church
Sewage is coming up through a basement floor drain. Who do I call first?
My address is near a town or county line. How do I tell which utility serves me?
The water heater tank is leaking. How urgent is that?
What should I have ready when I call?
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