Call a plumber, day or night

Before you call

• Find the main shut-off. In most rowhouses it is in the basement on the front wall, where the water line comes in.
• Note which fixtures are affected. One slow sink is a branch problem; every drain backing up points to the main sewer line.
• Smell gas? Leave first and call Washington Gas from outside. Call us once the utility has made it safe.
• Know your jurisdiction. DC, Virginia or Maryland - it decides who issues the permit.

What happens on the visit

The plumber finds the cause - running a camera down the sewer, pressure-testing the supply or tracing a leak - and shows you what is wrong. You get the repair options in writing, and once you choose one we do the work, test it and clean up. For a sewer backup, we clear the line first so the house is usable again, then deal with the cause.

Rental and apartment buildings

Property managers can call the same line. We work around tenants, coordinate access to shared stacks and risers, and provide the inspection photos and paperwork owners and insurers usually ask for.

Planned work

Lead service line replacement, repiping, water heater upgrades and trenchless sewer repairs are usually scheduled a little ahead because they involve a permit and sometimes the water utility. Call to book an assessment and we will walk you through the timeline.

Sewer backups

If sewage is coming up through a basement floor drain, stop using water upstairs - every flush and shower adds to it. Keep children and pets away from the water, and call. We clear the blockage first, then camera the line to find out whether it was roots, grease or a broken section of the lateral.

Lead service line questions

If you are not sure what your water line is made of, mention it when you call and we will check it on the visit. Where the line is lead or galvanized, we explain how the public and private sides are split, what DC Water or WSSC Water handle, and what the replacement involves inside your property - from the trench or tunnel to the new connection at the meter.

Gas appliances

For a new range, dryer, water heater or outdoor grill, tell us what is being installed and where. We size the gas line for the appliance, run and pressure-test it, and arrange the permit and inspection.

Service area

Washington, DC and nearby Northern Virginia and Maryland. Each neighbourhood on our areas page has its own page about local housing and plumbing.