Most Potomac homes receive WSSC Water through a buried service line, though some properties in the area are planned for private wells instead of public water. Either way, a plumber can find a leak in the line feeding the house and repair or replace it. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Potomac.
Potomac grew from farmland into an affluent suburb centered on Potomac Village, where Falls Road and River Road meet, and older farmhouses still stand among the subdivisions. The median home was built in 1977. Montgomery County assigns every property a water category (W-1 to W-5) and a sewer category (S-1 to S-5), and some properties are designated for private wells and onsite systems rather than public service. Large lots and long driveways mean service lines here can be much longer than in the inner suburbs.
What to do first
- Close the main valve inside the house. On a well, also switch off the pump at its breaker if water is pouring out.
- If water is coming up at the meter or in the road, call WSSC Water at 301-206-4002.
- Mark wet or sunken ground along the route with stakes or flags.
- Check your bill or your county water category if you are unsure whether you are on public water.
- Note any recent landscaping, fencing or driveway work near the line.
Symptoms and what they usually mean
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Pressure low at every tap | Leak or corrosion along a long service run |
| Well pump cycling with nothing running | Leak in the line between the well and the house |
| Green, soggy strip across the lawn | Water escaping from the buried pipe |
| Meter turning with the house valve shut | Leak between the meter and the foundation |
| Damp spot on the basement wall at the entry | Failed fitting or sleeve where the pipe comes in |
Cost factors
- Length of the run; long setbacks mean more pipe and more locating time
- Hardscape, gates, mature trees and pasture fencing along the route
- Public water versus a well line, which may also involve the pump wiring
- Repairing one section or replacing the whole line
- A WSSC Water plumbing permit and inspection
When the house sits far back from the road, ask whether the new line should be a larger size, since a long, narrow run loses pressure over its length and every fixture feels it.
WSSC Water adds orthophosphate to help coat pipe interiors, and its inventory map lists recorded service line materials. Gas, furnace and water heater work tied to the same project also goes through WSSC.
Water Line Repair questions in Potomac
My house is on a private well. Does water line repair still apply?
Can a new line go in without digging a trench across the whole yard?
Does a water service line repair need a permit?
Will an 811 locate request mark my private water line?
More plumbing services in Potomac
Water Line Repair nearby
Sources
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