Water Heater Replacement in Fort Washington, MD

Fort Washington at a glance

Fort Washington was largely rural until about 1960 and is now a suburb of riverfront homes, larger lots and subdivisions off Route 210. The median home dates to about 1980, so many original heaters have been replaced at least once and the next swap is often straightforward. WSSC Water supplies water and sewer service and adds orthophosphate, a corrosion inhibitor that coats the inside of pipes, including household plumbing.

Larger houses along the river and in subdivisions such as Tantallon often have finished basements, so a leaking tank can do real damage before anyone notices. A drain pan piped to a floor drain, or a leak sensor near the heater, is worth asking about when you replace. Homes with two or more full bathrooms may also be better served by a larger tank or a tankless unit than by a straight match.

What to do now

1. Close the cold water valve above the heater if the tank is leaking.
2. Turn the gas control knob to off, or switch off the breaker for an electric unit.
3. If there's any gas odor, leave the house instead. From outside, call 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (927-4427), option 1; BGE customers call BGE.
4. Connect a garden hose to the drain valve only if you can run it to a floor drain or outside.
5. Note the size, fuel and age on the label for the plumber.
6. For a water or sewer problem outside the house, call WSSC at 301-206-4002.

Signs and what they point to

Cost factors

• Type of heater: standard tank, high-efficiency, tankless or heat pump
• Venting and gas connector changes for the new unit
• Code items such as an expansion tank, pan or relief line extension
• Location: a finished basement or crawlspace takes more care than a garage
• WSSC permit, inspection and disposal of the old heater