Plumbers in Lorton, VA

Southern Fairfax County on I-95

Lorton stretches along I-95 and U.S. Route 1 between Fort Belvoir and the Occoquan River, about 18 miles from downtown Washington. The census-designated place had 20,072 residents in 2020; the area around the former Lorton Reformatory now belongs to the separate Laurel Hill CDP but still uses the Lorton postal name. Mason Neck, Newington, Gunston Hall and Pohick Church are part of the local picture.

A water town of sorts

Two big pieces of the region's water infrastructure sit here. Fairfax Water's Frederick P. Griffith Jr. plant, near Lorton at the southern tip of its service area, treats Occoquan Reservoir water using ozone disinfection and granular activated carbon filtering; Fairfax Water's Corbalis plant near Herndon treats Potomac River water. Fairfax County's Noman M. Cole, Jr. Water Recycling Facility, the county's wastewater treatment plant, is also in Lorton.

In the distribution system, Fairfax Water uses chloramines normally from July through March and free chlorine generally from April through June, so a chlorine taste or odor in spring is expected. Griffith plant samples show total hardness of about 77 to 147 mg/L, moderately hard. Owners can identify and report their side of the service line through Fairfax Water's Lead Free Fairfax survey. Customer service is 703-698-5800 on weekdays; after-hours water emergencies go to 703-698-5613.

Newer homes

Lorton's housing is mostly newer. In ZIP 22079, about 17 percent of homes were built before 1980, and the 2000s were the biggest building decade. That puts the focus on water heaters reaching replacement age, PEX and fixture valve repairs, sump pumps in finished basements, and irrigation and pool backflow devices.

Backflow testing

Fairfax Water's cross-connection program runs jointly with Fairfax County Land Development Services. Testable backflow assemblies, such as those on lawn irrigation, in-ground pools, directly connected hot tubs and fire sprinklers, must be tested at installation, after repair or relocation, and at least once a year by a DPOR-certified Backflow Prevention Device Worker on the county's Authorized Vendor List, who submits the report online. Installing or replacing an irrigation assembly requires a plumbing permit. Fairfax Water's cross-connection line is 571-722-7653.

Sewer, permits and gas

Under Fairfax County Code 65-6-1 the property owner maintains the private sewer lateral; the county's 24-hour sewer line for backups is 703-323-1211. Building and trade permits come from Fairfax County Land Development Services, Building and Trade Inspections, at 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 324, in Fairfax (703-222-0801), with online applications through PLUS. Lorton falls under the county's Washington Gas default. If you smell gas, leave the building, then call 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1.

Lorton and the District

DC homes are older on average and served by DC Water and the DC Department of Buildings. Lorton's newer homes work with Fairfax Water and county offices. Call with your neighborhood and the problem, and you will be connected with an independent plumber who sets price and timing with you.