My water bill went up but I can't see a leak. What now?
Turn off every faucet, toilet and appliance and look at the meter. If the low-flow indicator still moves, water is escaping somewhere, often a running toilet flapper, a buried service line or a pipe inside a finished basement wall. We trace it with pressure tests, listening equipment and thermal cameras before opening anything up. Read about leak detection →
Why does my water heater run out of hot water so fast in winter?
Incoming water in a Maryland winter is much colder than in summer, so the heater has more work to do. If the shortage is new, a failed lower element on an electric tank or heavy sediment on the bottom of a gas tank is the usual reason, and both can often be repaired. Read about water heater service →
How can I tell if my basement sump pump is about to fail?
Pour a bucket of water into the pit. The float should rise and the pump should start, empty the pit and shut off on its own. Grinding, constant cycling, a pump that runs but moves no water, or one more than about ten years old are all reasons to have it looked at before the next heavy rain. Read about sump pump repair →
Can you add a gas line for a generator or a new range?
Yes. Standby generators, gas ranges, dryers, fireplaces and grills all need a properly sized line from the meter or tank, a shutoff valve and a pressure test. We work on natural gas and propane systems around Frederick County. Read about gas line repair →
What causes a floor drain in the basement to back up?
The basement floor drain is usually the lowest opening on the system, so it is where a clog in the main line shows up first. Roots, grease and debris in the line to the street are common culprits. Read about drain cleaning →
Is hydrojetting safe for older pipes?
We camera the line first. Sound cast iron, PVC and clay usually handle jetting well at the right pressure, while badly cracked or collapsed pipe is better repaired than jetted. Read about hydrojetting →
Do older Frederick homes need their sewer lines replaced?
Not automatically, but many older houses in and around the historic district still have clay or cast iron laterals that have cracked, shifted or let roots in over the decades. A camera inspection tells you whether a section repair will do or the line needs replacing. Read about sewer line replacement →
What are the signs a house needs repiping?
Rusty or brown water from galvanized pipe, falling water pressure, repeated pinhole leaks in copper or patched sections all over the basement ceiling. Once these add up, a whole-house repipe usually costs less trouble than ongoing repairs. Read about repiping →
My shower goes hot then cold. Can that be fixed?
Usually. Temperature swings often come from a worn pressure-balancing cartridge in the shower valve, which can be replaced without tearing out the wall. Read about shower and faucet repair →
What should I do if a pipe bursts in the middle of the night?
Close the main shutoff, which in most Frederick homes is in the basement or crawlspace where the water line enters the house, then open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain the pressure. Switch off the water heater if the leak is near it, and call our 24/7 line. Read about emergency plumbing →
Which Frederick neighborhoods do you serve?
Downtown, Hillcrest, Crestwood, Frederick Heights, Monocacy Village, Rivercrest, Spring Ridge, Wormans Mill, Golden Mile, Westview, Amber Meadows, Ballenger Creek, Buckeystown, Tuscarora and the Villages of Urbana, throughout 21701, 21702, 21703 and 21704.
