In Fort Washington, a hidden leak usually shows itself through a WSSC Water bill that creeps higher, a meter that keeps moving with nothing on, or moisture that won't go away in a basement or ceiling. A plumber can find the leak by testing the system section by section rather than opening walls at random. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Fort Washington.
Leaks in Fort Washington homes
Fort Washington stayed rural until about 1960 and has since filled in with suburban neighborhoods, riverfront homes and marinas along the Potomac, about 11 miles from downtown Washington. The median home was built in 1980. Many houses have large lots, irrigation systems and long service lines, which gives water more places to escape. WSSC Water supplies the area and adds an orthophosphate corrosion inhibitor that coats the inside of pipes, including those in your house, but fittings, valves and hoses still wear out with time. Homes built in the 1960s and 1970s may also have original shutoff valves and water heater connections that have never been replaced, and those are frequent sources of slow drips.
What to do now
- Shut off all faucets, toilets, appliances and the irrigation system.
- Read the meter, wait 30 minutes without using water, and read it again.
- If water is actively soaking floors or ceilings, close the main shutoff.
- Walk the yard along the line from the meter to the house and look for soft or unusually green ground.
- If water is coming up in the street or at the curb, call WSSC Water at 301-206-4002.
Symptoms and what they usually mean
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Meter moving, house dry | Underground service line leak or irrigation leak |
| Wet ground near an irrigation head or valve box | Cracked zone valve, broken lateral or a failing backflow assembly |
| Water stain on a finished basement ceiling | Leaking supply line, toilet seal or shower valve above |
| Water heater area always damp | Leaking fitting, relief valve or tank |
| Toilet refilling on its own | Worn flapper or fill valve |
What affects cost
Price depends on where the leak is and how hard it is to reach. Leaks under a sink or at a water heater are quick to confirm. A leak along a long buried line or in a finished basement takes more time and equipment, such as acoustic listening tools and pressure tests. Irrigation work adds its own step: homeowners can only rebuild or replace backflow devices that aren't testable, and testable assemblies on irrigation lines must be tested by a WSSC-certified cross-connection technician. Plumbing permits in Prince George's County come from WSSC Water, not the county.
Leak Detection questions in Fort Washington
Could the leak be in my irrigation system or an outdoor faucet?
Water is bubbling up near the curb or meter. Who do I call?
Can a leak in a finished basement go unnoticed for a long time?
What if I smell gas instead of finding water?
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