Plumbers in Kensington, MD

The town and the wider 20895 area

Kensington was incorporated in 1894 and grew from a summer retreat into a commuter suburb about 9 miles from downtown Washington. Its southern core is a largely intact planned Victorian-era layout listed as the Kensington Historic District, and Antique Row, the West Howard Antique District, draws shoppers. Connecticut Avenue (MD 185) and Kensington Parkway run through, and the MARC Brunswick Line stops here. Note that the 20895 mailing area, often called Greater Kensington, is much larger than the town; addresses outside town limits deal with Montgomery County directly rather than Town Hall.

Original plumbing in many houses

The median home in town was built in 1959, so plenty of houses still have original plumbing. Galvanized supply pipe that has narrowed with rust, cast iron drains, older sewer laterals, and basement laundry and floor drains are typical. Low pressure at upstairs fixtures, rusty water after a shutoff, slow basement drains and frozen pipes in older exterior walls are among the common calls.

WSSC water and service lines

WSSC Water serves about 1.9 million customers in Montgomery and Prince George's counties, including Kensington, and handles both water and sewer. Its report lists free residual chlorine as the disinfectant. Under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule, WSSC runs an address-searchable map of known or reported pipe material, including the customer side, a customer survey to verify pipe type, and a Service Line Replacement Program with replacement planning and financial assistance. That program is worth a look before replacing an old line in a 1950s house. Water and sewer emergencies go to 301-206-4002; customer service is 301-206-4001.

Permits

WSSC issues plumbing, gasfitting and service connection permits (Permit Services, 301-206-4003; ePermitting at permits.wsscwater.com). The Town of Kensington has its own forms for home construction projects, fences and signs, so call Town Hall at 301-949-2424 if your plumbing job is part of a renovation inside town limits.

Backflow

If you have a testable backflow assembly on lawn irrigation, a fire sprinkler or some pools, it must be tested every year by a cross-connection technician holding a WSSC license, and a registered principal master plumber submits the report to WSSC electronically.

Smell gas?

Washington Gas serves Montgomery County. Leave the building first, then call 911 and the Washington Gas Emergency Leak Line, 844-WASHGAS (927-4427), option 1.

When you call

Tell us whether you are inside town limits and what the problem is. You will be connected with an independent local plumber who sets price and timing with you.