Montgomery County · Gaithersburg, MD
Plumbers in Gaithersburg, MD
Gaithersburg is in Montgomery County, Maryland. About 144,000 people live in the 9 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 53,000 homes, 42% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built between 1980 and 1999 (47%), and that age decides most of what goes wrong with the plumbing.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- 9 ZIP codes covered
ZIP codes we cover in Gaithersburg
20877, 20878, 20879, 20882, 20883, 20884, 20885, 20898, 20899
Gaithersburg homes and their plumbing
Here is how Gaithersburg's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 2%, 1940–1959 3%, 1960–1979 26%, 1980–1999 47%, 2000 or later 22%. Most homes are old enough that original pipe, valves and water heaters are wearing out, but young enough that full repipes are a case-by-case call. Neighboring areas such as Rockville are covered too.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 2% |
| 1940–1959 | 3% |
| 1960–1979 | 26% |
| 1980–1999 | 47% |
| 2000 or later | 22% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 144,191
- Housing units
- 52,637
- Single-family detached
- 42%
- Owner-occupied
- 66%
- Heated with utility gas
- 43%
- Heated with electricity
- 49%
- Heated with fuel oil
- 4%
What goes wrong in Gaithersburg homes
1980s and 90s construction and polybutylene
47% of homes were built between 1980 and 1999. Polybutylene supply pipe was installed widely in US homes from about 1978 to 1995, so houses from these years are worth checking for gray plastic pipe stamped PB2110, usually visible at the water heater or under sinks. Insurers and buyers often ask about it. See polybutylene replacement.
Winter freezes
31% of homes here were built before 1980, when pipes were more often run through exterior walls and uninsulated crawl spaces. In a cold Maryland winter those are the lines that freeze and split. See frozen and burst pipe repair.
Apartments, condos and attached homes
Only 42% of homes here are single-family detached houses. In attached buildings a leak or clog often involves a shared stack or a neighbor's unit, so it's worth knowing which lines are yours and which belong to the building or HOA, and where your unit's own shutoff is.
Common calls in Gaithersburg
- Polybutylene Pipe Replacement
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Drain Cleaning
- Water Heater Replacement
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair
Also available in Gaithersburg: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Gaithersburg at a glance
- County
- Montgomery County
- Nearest city pages
- Rockville
- ZIP codes
- 20877, 20878, 20879, 20882, 20883, 20884, 20885, 20898, 20899
Gaithersburg plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Gaithersburg?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Gaithersburg, Census estimates put 5% of homes as built before 1960, 26% from 1960 to 1979, 47% from 1980 to 1999 and 22% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 1980–1999 (47%).
Who licenses plumbers in Gaithersburg, MD?
The Maryland State Board of Plumbing licenses plumbers and gas fitters; check a license through the Maryland Department of Labor.
Are water heaters in Gaithersburg usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 43% of homes heating with utility gas, 49% with electricity, 4% with fuel oil. Water heaters often use the same fuel as the home's heat, so electricity is the most common here, but check the label on your tank before you shop for a replacement.
Guides for Gaithersburg homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Washington Grove (2 mi), Montgomery Village (3 mi), Derwood (4 mi), Germantown (4 mi), Boyds (7 mi), Clarksburg (7 mi), Olney (8 mi), Potomac (8 mi).
Housing, heating and population figures are US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates for the ZIP code areas we cover in Gaithersburg, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Gaithersburg?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.