Poolesville is the one town in this part of Montgomery County with its own water system, but a failing water heater is handled the same way: a tank that leaks or keeps breaking down is usually replaced. Town Hall issues building and zoning permits, while WSSC Water handles plumbing and gasfitting permits. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Poolesville.
Poolesville is a small historic town in western Montgomery County, ringed by the County's Agricultural Reserve. It isn't WSSC water territory: the Town pumps groundwater from its own wells, drilled 285 to 800 feet into the New Oxford Formation aquifer, and the water needs only minimal treatment, with chlorine added as the disinfectant. The Town also runs its own wastewater plant, and its water quality report says the system has no lead mains or lead service lines. Some properties in and around town use private wells and private onsite wastewater systems instead. The median home was built in 1985, so many heaters here are on at least their second round.
What to do now
- Close the cold supply valve at the top of the heater. If you can't, close the main shutoff where the service line enters the house.
- Shut off the gas control, or the breaker for an electric heater.
- On a private well, turn off the pump breaker too.
- Open a hot tap, then contain the water with a pan or towels.
- Note the heater's size, fuel and model.
- If a Town water main or street connection is the problem, call the Town's emergency line at 240-286-3389.
- If you smell gas, leave and call 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1, from outside.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Water pooling around the tank | Tank failure, or a fitting or relief valve leak |
| Rumbling or popping | Mineral sediment on the bottom of the tank |
| Rotten-egg smell from hot taps | Anode rod reacting with the water |
| Hot water fades early | Sediment, a bad element, or an undersized tank |
| Relief valve dripping | High pressure or temperature |
Cost factors
- Fuel, size and efficiency of the replacement
- Vent, gas or electrical updates
- WSSC plumbing or gasfitting permit
- Expansion tank, pan and relief line work
- Sediment filtration on private-well homes
- Removal of the old tank
A written quote listing each item makes plumbers easy to compare. On a private-well property, mention the well when you call, since the plumber may want to look at the pressure tank and any filters on the same visit rather than coming back later.
Water Heater Replacement questions in Poolesville
Who issues the permit for a water heater replacement here?
How do I find out who supplies my water?
Why does my hot water smell like rotten eggs?
How do I make the new heater last?
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