Faucet Repair in Fort Washington, MD

Faucets in Fort Washington homes

This Potomac riverfront suburb filled in with houses from the 1960s onward, from neighborhoods off Livingston Road and Old Fort Road to Tantallon and Fort Washington Forest. WSSC Water supplies it with treated river water and adds orthophosphate, a corrosion inhibitor that coats pipe interiors, including household plumbing. Those inside surfaces still age, and faucet seals wear with use regardless of the water. In a house from the 1960s or 1970s, the shutoff valves under the sink may be original, so test them gently before you need them in a hurry. Newer homes near Route 210 more often have single-lever cartridge faucets with their own set of wear parts.

Steps to take now

1. Find the shutoffs. Look under the sink for two small valves. Turn them clockwise to stop water to that faucet.
2. Know your main valve. If the stops fail, close the main shutoff, usually in the basement or utility room where the line enters.
3. Protect the drain. Close the stopper or stuff a rag in the drain before you take anything apart.
4. Look at the outdoor faucets too. A spigot that drips or sprays from the wall after winter may have split inside.
5. Write down what you see. Where the water comes from, the faucet brand and style, and whether the drip is hot or cold.

Symptom guide

Cost factors

• Repairing a faucet that is still made is usually less than replacing it.
• Hard-to-reach hose bibs or frost-free spigots set deep in a wall take more time.
• Stops and supply lines that need replacing add parts and labor.
• Corroded fasteners under older sinks may need cutting.
• Doing several faucets in one visit often lowers the cost per fixture.

For water main breaks or leaks on the street side, WSSC takes emergencies at 301-206-4002. In Prince George's County, WSSC Water rather than the county handles plumbing permits.