For a burst pipe in Potomac, close the main shutoff, or turn off the well pump if the house has a private well, and avoid wet outlets. A plumber can then locate the failure and replace the damaged pipe. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Potomac.
Potomac in brief
Potomac grew from farmland into a suburb of large homes centered on Potomac Village, where Falls Road meets River Road, and its median home was built in 1977. Most addresses are on WSSC Water for water and sewer. Montgomery County gives every property a water and sewer service category, though, and some are planned for private wells and onsite wastewater systems instead of public service. Knowing which you have tells you how to shut off the water.
What to do now
- Close the main valve where the water line enters the house. On a private well, switch off the pump's breaker as well.
- Keep away from water near outlets, cords and appliances; cut the breaker for that area from a dry spot.
- Drain the system by opening a faucet on the lowest floor.
- Turn an electric water heater off at the breaker, or set a gas heater to pilot.
- For water surfacing near the meter or in the road on WSSC service, call WSSC's emergency line, 301-206-4002.
- Photograph everything, then begin removing water and moving belongings.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Water in a finished lower level after a hard freeze | Supply pipe split in an outside wall or rim joist area |
| Well pump running and pressure falling with nothing on | A break somewhere after the pressure tank |
| Ceiling stain under a bathroom or laundry | Burst supply hose or fitting above |
| Puddle inside the wall behind a hose bib | Frozen outdoor faucet that cracked indoors |
| Lawn soaked between the meter and the house | Break on the buried service line |
Cost factors
- Access in a large house: long runs, finished ceilings and high-end finishes take more time to open and restore
- Pipe material and whether old sections near the break should be replaced too
- Public water versus a private well, which adds a pump, tank and well line to check
- Digging for a break on the service line
- Night or weekend timing
Most plumbing work in Montgomery County is done by a plumber registered with WSSC Water under a WSSC permit. If the home has lawn irrigation, WSSC requires its testable backflow assembly to be tested every spring by a certified cross-connection technician.
Burst Pipe Repair questions in Potomac
How do I stop the water if the house is on a private well?
How do I know which water provider serves my address?
How do we protect the house if we travel over the winter?
What if an irrigation line or a fire sprinkler pipe is the one that split?
More plumbing services in Potomac
Burst Pipe Repair nearby
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