Plumbing Inspection in Washington, DC

Why age matters in the District

Census figures put the median year built for Washington, DC housing at 1957. In neighborhoods such as Georgetown, Capitol Hill, Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle and Mount Pleasant, many rowhouses and older homes are far older than that. These houses can still have galvanized supply lines, cast iron drain stacks, older clay or cast iron sewer laterals and lead service lines, often mixed with newer pipe from past renovations.

What an inspection typically covers

• Service line: material where the water line enters, and the main shutoff's condition.
• Supply pipes: copper, galvanized, PEX or a mix, plus water pressure and signs of corrosion.
• Drains and vents: cast iron stacks, slow drains, odors and leaks at joints.
• Water heater: age, venting, relief valve and sediment.
• Fixtures: toilets, faucets, shower valves and visible leaks.
• Basement items: floor drains, sump pump, backwater protection and pipes in cold spots.
• Sewer lateral: a camera inspection, recommended for older homes and before buying.

Lead and galvanized pipe

DC Water runs Lead Free DC, which has several lead service line replacement programs and aims to replace all lead and galvanized-iron service lines with copper. Its Service Line Inventory Map shows the recorded pipe material for a property, and DC Water offers free lead testing. DC Water also warns that galvanized pipes inside a home can accumulate lead from a past lead service line, and it recommends fully replacing galvanized plumbing and lead service lines. Check with DC Water for current program details.

Ownership matters here too. DC Water replaces the service pipe in public space, while the private-property portion is at the owner's expense, and DC Water will coordinate that work.

Combined sewer areas

About one-third of the District sits on a combined sewer system developed before 1900, and heavy summer storms can push water back into basements. An inspection can note whether floor drains and fixtures below street level are protected.

What affects the cost

Price depends on the size of the home, how many units it has, whether a sewer camera is included, and how much of the piping is accessible.