The Town of Herndon buys its water from Fairfax Water, mainly from the Corbalis plant on the Potomac, and that water is moderately hard. Over time, scale and wear make faucets drip, leak at the handle or stiffen, and most can be fixed with new parts. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Herndon.
Herndon water and homes
Inside town limits, the Town of Herndon runs its own water and sewer system and buys finished water from Fairfax Water, primarily from the Corbalis plant. Fairfax Water's figures for that plant show hardness from about 70 to 185 mg/L, averaging near 7.5 grains per gallon. That is moderately hard, which is enough to coat aerators and wear cartridge seals over the years. The Town reports that no lead service lines have been found in its inventory.
Herndon mailing addresses also cover unincorporated Fairfax County areas outside town limits, which are generally on Fairfax Water directly. The median home in Herndon was built around 1983, so many faucets are on their second or third cartridge, and stops under the sinks may be original. Houses near the historic downtown can be older still, with fixtures and valves that have been patched more than once. Knowing the faucet brand before the visit saves time, because cartridges are rarely interchangeable between makers.
Repair or replacement
| What is happening | Typical repair | When to replace |
|---|---|---|
| Steady drip from the spout | New cartridge or washer | Body cracked or no parts made |
| Leak under the handle | O-rings or packing | Stem threads worn out |
| Kitchen sprayer dribbles | New hose or spray head | Control body failing |
| Stiff or grinding handle | Clean or replace the cartridge | Faucet corroded throughout |
Signs to act on
- A drip you can hear at night
- Water collecting at the base of the faucet
- A cabinet that smells musty or has a swollen floor
- Stops that will not close or drip after being turned
- A handle that no longer stops in the same place
Timing and seasonal notes
Fairfax Water generally switches from chloramines to free chlorine from April through June, so the water may smell different in spring; that is not a faucet problem. Winter freezes can crack outdoor spigots, so close the inside valve and drain them before cold weather. For work inside town limits that adds or relocates plumbing, the Town's Building Inspections office issues the Plumbing/Gas trade permit; outside the town, Fairfax County Land Development Services handles it. A direct faucet swap is normally just a repair.
Faucet Repair questions in Herndon
How hard is the water here, and does it matter for faucets?
How do I find out which water utility serves my address?
Do I need a permit to replace a faucet?
Why does my outdoor spigot drip after a cold winter?
More plumbing services in Herndon
Faucet Repair nearby
Sources
Last updated: