Faucet Repair in Kensington, MD

Who issues permits for plumbing work in Kensington?

WSSC Water issues plumbing, gasfitting and service connection permits, and most plumbing work in Montgomery County has to be done by a plumber registered with WSSC Water. The Town of Kensington also has its own forms for home construction projects, so if a faucet repair becomes part of a larger kitchen or bath renovation, call Town Hall at 301-949-2424 to ask what's needed. The 20895 postal area, sometimes called Greater Kensington, is much larger than the town itself, and addresses outside town limits go to Montgomery County for building permits.

Can older Kensington faucets be repaired?

Usually. Kensington grew from a summer retreat into a commuter suburb, and many homes date from the 1950s or earlier. Older two-handle faucets use washers and brass seats, and parts are still widely available. A worn seat can be refaced or replaced so a new washer lasts. Wall-mounted tub and laundry faucets behind tile or plaster take more care, and corroded fittings may need to be replaced along with the faucet.

Original stops under the sink are often stiff or leak at the stem, so plumbers commonly replace them during a faucet job.

What should I know about lead?

WSSC Water supplies water and sewer. It publishes an address-searchable map of known or reported service line materials, including the customer's side, and asks customers to help verify pipe type. It also offers a Service Line Replacement Program with replacement planning and financial assistance. Separately, very old faucets were often made with leaded brass. Replacing a decades-old fixture with a current model removes one possible source.

Kensington note

When you call, describe the faucet, where the water appears and roughly when the house was built. Mention whether the stops and supply lines look original, and whether you're inside town limits. If a stop under the sink snaps during the job, the plumber will need the main valve, so clear a path to it beforehand. Older houses here also tend to have basement laundry tubs and hose bibbs that aren't frost-free; drain the outdoor ones each fall, because frost damage often shows up as a leak inside the wall the next spring.