In Lorton, Fairfax County's Wastewater Management program runs the public sewer, and County code makes the property owner responsible for maintaining the private lateral. If that line backs up or breaks, a plumber makes the repair. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Lorton.
Lorton in brief
Lorton is a southern Fairfax County suburb along I-95 and Route 1, between Fort Belvoir and the Occoquan River, about 18 miles from Washington. Much of its housing is newer, with the 2000s its biggest building decade; in ZIP 22079 only about 17% of homes predate 1980. The area around the former reformatory is now the Laurel Hill community, though it shares the Lorton postal name. Fairfax County's own wastewater treatment plant, the Noman M. Cole, Jr. Water Recycling Facility, is in Lorton, but the plumbing that matters for a backup is the private line from your house.
Immediate steps
- Stop using water so the backup doesn't spread.
- If sewage is coming from a manhole or neighbors share the problem, call Fairfax County's 24-hour sewer line at 703-323-1211.
- Locate the cleanout, usually a capped pipe near the foundation, and make it easy to reach.
- Keep children and pets away from contaminated areas, and skip chemical drain cleaners.
- Call a plumber to clear the line and run a camera inspection.
Symptoms and causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Lower-level shower fills when a toilet is flushed | Blocked lateral or building drain |
| Clogs that come back after clearing | A belly holding waste, or roots at a fitting |
| Gurgling from several fixtures | Partial blockage downstream |
| Soggy patch in the yard in dry weather | Separated joint or cracked pipe |
Factors in the price
- Depth of the line and the length of the damaged section
- What sits over it: lawn, patio, a driveway or HOA common area
- Whether lining is possible or a section must be replaced
- The need for a new cleanout
- A permit from Fairfax County Land Development Services for repaired or replaced pipe
Because most Lorton laterals are plastic and fairly young, a camera inspection often turns up one specific defect, such as a sag or a fitting disturbed by later work, rather than a pipe that's worn out end to end. The County doesn't locate private laterals, so the plumber's locator will mark the route. If you live in a townhouse or an association community, check your community documents before work begins to confirm which stretch of pipe is yours and what the association expects for restoring lawns or common areas afterward.
Sewer Line Repair questions in Lorton
Can the sewer line on a newer house still fail?
Should I call the sewer utility or a plumber first?
What happens to my lawn, driveway or patio during the repair?
Why does the plumber want to run a camera before quoting a repair?
More plumbing services in Lorton
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