Plumbers in Potomac, MD

About Potomac

Potomac began as a farming community and is now a wealthy suburb roughly 12 miles northwest of downtown Washington. It has no municipal government; Montgomery County runs it. The center is Potomac Village, where Falls Road (MD 189) meets River Road (MD 190), anchored by the old Perry Store, and a few farmhouses still stand among the subdivisions. The median home was built in 1977.

Public water, or your own?

Montgomery County assigns every property a water category (W-1 through W-5) and a sewer category (S-1 through S-5). Most of the county gets community service through WSSC Water, but some properties are designated for private wells and onsite wastewater systems maintained by the owner. On larger Potomac lots it is worth confirming which you have before a plumber arrives, because a pressure problem on a well and one on a WSSC line have very different causes.

• On WSSC: water and sewer emergencies go to 301-206-4002. WSSC uses a chlorine residual and adds orthophosphate to coat the inside of pipes, customer plumbing included.
• On a well: pump, pressure tank and treatment equipment are the owner's responsibility.
• Not on municipal sewer: the private onsite wastewater system and the line leading to it are the owner's to maintain.

WSSC says it removed all known lead pipe from its distribution system in the early 2000s; its material inventory map is at wsscwater.com/LCR-map, and questions go to pipetype@wsscwater.com.

Permits and licenses

WSSC Water writes the plumbing and fuel gas rules for Montgomery and Prince George's counties and licenses the people who do the work. Replacing a gas water heater, furnace or gas appliance must be done by a plumber or gasfitter holding a WSSC license, with the permit filed through WSSC ePermitting (Permit Services, 301-206-4003). Building permits for additions and remodels are a county matter.

Backflow on irrigation

Big lawns usually mean irrigation, and irrigation means a testable backflow assembly such as a pressure vacuum breaker or RPZ. WSSC requires a test every year, typically at spring start-up, and after installation, repair or relocation, by a journeyman or master plumber who holds a WSSC license and is a certified cross-connection technician. Non-testable dual checks and boiler devices must be rebuilt or replaced every five years. Program support is 301-206-4004.

Gas leaks

Washington Gas serves Montgomery County. If you smell gas, leave the house, then call 911 and the Washington Gas Emergency Leak Line, 844-WASHGAS (927-4427), option 1. If a different utility bills you for gas, call that company instead.

What happens when you call

Say whether you are on WSSC water or a well, and describe the issue. You will be connected with an independent local plumber who agrees on cost and timing with you.