Well Pump Repair in Kensington, MD

Is there any chance my Kensington home has a well?

Very little. Kensington grew from a summer retreat into a commuter suburb, and its southern core is a planned Victorian-era layout now protected as the Kensington Historic District. The whole town is on WSSC Water, which supplies water from its Potomac and Patuxent treatment plants. A pump you find in the basement is far more likely to be a sump pump for groundwater, or a booster pump added to lift city pressure, than anything drawing from a well.

Why is the water pressure weak in an older house?

Kensington's median home was built in 1959, and many in the historic district are older. Galvanized supply pipe from that period corrodes from the inside and narrows over time. Original valves stick. A pressure-reducing valve near the main, if the house has one, loses its spring tension and lets pressure sag. The service line from the property line to the house belongs to the owner and can leak underground for a long time before anyone notices a wet spot. WSSC also publishes an address-searchable map of service line materials, which is a useful first look for an older Kensington home.

What should I do before calling?

Run cold water upstairs and down to see whether the problem is house-wide. Ask a neighbor whether their pressure is normal; if not, the cause is likely on WSSC's side. Close every tap and watch the meter for movement. If your home has a booster pump, check its breaker and listen for a switch clicking on and off quickly, which usually means its small tank has lost air.

A Kensington note

Plumbing permits in Kensington come from WSSC Water Permit Services, and the Town of Kensington has its own forms for home construction projects, so call Town Hall at 301-949-2424 if a repair turns into a larger renovation. When old supply pipe is the cause, ask the plumber whether replacing the main trunk line first will restore most of the pressure before committing to a full repipe. Doing the work in stages can also spread out the disruption to plaster walls and finished rooms.