Lorton homes on Fairfax Water own the service line after the meter, so a leak in the buried pipe to the house is a plumbing repair. A plumber can trace the leak and repair the section or replace the line. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Lorton.
Lorton at a glance
Lorton is an unincorporated part of southern Fairfax County along I-95 and Route 1, between Fort Belvoir and the Occoquan River. Fairfax Water's Griffith Water Treatment Plant, which treats Occoquan Reservoir water, is nearby, at the southern tip of its service area. The housing is mostly newer: only about 17% of homes in ZIP 22079 predate 1980, and the 2000s were the biggest building decade, including the Laurel Hill area around the former reformatory site. Newer lines generally fail at joints or from digging damage rather than age.
What to do now
- Stop the water. Close the main shutoff if water is entering the house.
- Rule out irrigation. Turn the sprinkler system off and see whether the wet area stays.
- Watch the meter. With every fixture off, check whether the leak indicator moves.
- Decide who to call. A leak at the meter or in the street goes to Fairfax Water: 703-698-5800, or 703-698-5613 after hours. A leak past the meter is yours.
- Check your HOA rules. Many Lorton communities have rules on digging and restoring front yards.
- Report your pipe. Fairfax Water's Lead Free Fairfax survey and online inventory track service line material on the customer side.
Signs and causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Soft lawn near the curb or driveway edge | Leak near the meter end of the line |
| Wet ground close to the foundation | Leak near the house entry or a loose fitting |
| Pressure falls off when two fixtures run | Restriction or partial break in the line |
| Leak appears after a hard freeze | Split pipe where it runs shallow or exposed |
Cost factors
- Run length, which differs between townhouse rows and larger lots near Mason Neck
- Whether one joint failed or the whole line should be replaced
- Driveways, walks and landscaping that need restoring
- Sloped or wooded ground that slows digging
- Permits from Fairfax County Land Development Services, filed through PLUS
This is a referral service, not a plumbing company; your call is connected with an independent local plumber who serves Lorton. The plumber can confirm where the leak is, show you the damaged section once it's exposed and explain whether a repair or a new line makes more sense for your home.
Water Line Repair questions in Lorton
What are service lines on homes like mine usually made of?
Who handles a leak right at the meter box?
Can tree roots or yard projects damage a water line?
Does repairing or replacing a water service line need a permit here?
More plumbing services in Lorton
Water Line Repair nearby
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