Plumbing service in District of Columbia
Call NowWashington, DC plumbing is mostly rowhouse plumbing: shared walls, original cast-iron stacks, old lead or galvanized service lines in some homes, and basements converted into living space.
District of Columbia weather and your plumbing
DC has hot, humid summers and cool winters with occasional hard freezes and snow. Intense summer thunderstorms can overwhelm the combined sewer system in older parts of the city.
Season by season in District of Columbia
- Summer storms
- Sudden downpours overload sewers in older neighborhoods and can back water up through basement floor drains.
- Winter
- Rowhouse rear additions, porches and pipes along back walls are the usual freeze points during cold snaps.
Problems the District of Columbia climate causes
Basement sewer backups
Cause: Intense summer thunderstorms.
Result: Sewage and stormwater come up through basement drains.
Do: If the basement is a rental unit, put a backwater valve on the main drain before the next storm season.
Old service lines
Cause: Not weather-driven.
Result: Some older homes still have lead or galvanized water service lines.
Do: Check your service line material and ask about replacement programs before remodeling.
Housing in District of Columbia
Most of DC's housing is rowhouses and apartment buildings, many built before 1940. Original cast-iron drain stacks, shared or tight utility chases and basements converted into rental units are common, and access is often the biggest factor in the cost of a repair.
Where calls are covered in District of Columbia
- Covered ZIP codes
- 57
- Cities and towns with coverage
- 3
Most covered ZIP codes
- Washington · 55 ZIPs
- Naval Anacost Annex · 1 ZIP
- Washington Navy Yard · 1 ZIP
Check whether your exact District of Columbia ZIP code is covered (coverage changes over time)
District of Columbia questions
Why does water come up through my basement drain during storms?
Older parts of DC have combined sewers that carry both stormwater and sewage. During heavy rain the system can back up into the lowest drains; a backwater valve can help.
How do I know if my DC home has a lead service line?
Look at the pipe where it enters the house near the meter; lead is dull gray and soft. A plumber can confirm it and explain replacement options.
How do I check a plumber's license in District of Columbia?
In the District, plumbers and gasfitters are licensed through the Board of Industrial Trades within the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). Permits for plumbing work are issued by the District's building authorities.