Faucet Repair in Vienna, VA

How hard is Vienna's water, and what does it do to faucets?

The Town of Vienna runs its own water distribution system and buys treated water from Fairfax Water and the Washington Aqueduct. The Town describes it as moderately hard to hard, with a historical range of 5 to 10 grains per gallon (80 to 170 mg/L). At the upper end of that range, scale builds quickly in aerators and on cartridge seals, and handles that once moved easily start to grind. A softener can slow that down, but worn parts still need replacing.

My house is from the 1960s or 1970s. What usually fails?

Original two-handle compression faucets, with washers that harden and seats that pit, are common in older Vienna homes. Even where faucets have been replaced, the stops under the sinks are often original multi-turn valves that may not close fully. The Town's service line inventory found no lead or galvanized service lines, with nearly all being copper, but very old faucets themselves can contain leaded brass, which is a reason to retire them.

Do I need a permit or Town approval?

For a straight faucet replacement in the same spot, generally not. For work that adds or moves plumbing, permits come from Fairfax County Land Development Services, and projects inside town limits also need separate Town of Vienna approval. The Vienna postal area covers some unincorporated county areas, which go through the County alone.

A local note

Town of Vienna water uses chloramine most of the year, with a short switch to free chlorine during annual hydrant flushing. If the taste changes for a few weeks, that is the reason, not the faucet. Choose a filter faucet rated for chloramine. About a third of the Town's water connections are outside the town boundary, so neighbors in Oakton or Dunn Loring may be on Vienna water too. Questions about the Town's side of the line go to its water and sewer customer service at 703-255-6385; after business hours, the Town directs callers to the non-emergency police line, 703-255-6366. Outdoor spigots on older Vienna houses are often the standard kind that hold water at the wall, so close the inside valve and drain them before the first hard freeze.