For routine home plumbing — a leaking faucet, a slow drain, a toilet that runs, low pressure — book a regular appointment rather than an emergency visit. Describe the problem, the age and type of home, and where the problem is, so the contractor arrives with the right parts.
Common home repairs
- Leaking faucets, valves and supply lines
- Running or clogged toilets — see toilet repair
- Slow drains — see drain cleaning
- Low water pressure
- Outdoor hose bibs that freeze or drip
- Shut-off valves that won't close
Faucet and sink repair
A dripping faucet usually needs a new cartridge or washer. A leak under the sink is often a loose nut on the trap, a worn supply line or a failed faucet connection. A slow sink is usually hair or grease in the trap; see drain cleaning. A plumber can repair or replace faucets, sinks, traps, shut-off valves and supply lines in one visit. Older Baltimore homes often have seized shut-off valves under sinks that are worth replacing at the same time.
Rowhomes, older houses and newer builds
Baltimore's rowhomes often have the main shut-off, water heater and laundry all in a narrow basement, with original cast-iron drains. Post-war suburbs like Parkville, Glen Burnie and Dundalk have their own patterns: galvanized supply pipe and clay sewer laterals. Newer homes in Columbia, Owings Mills or Elkridge more often have plastic drain pipe and PEX. Telling the contractor the age of your home helps them plan.
Landlords and rental properties
If you own or manage rentals, let the contractor know who will provide access and who approves the quote. Keep invoices; they help when a tenant reports a repeat problem.
Preventive maintenance
A yearly check before winter catches small problems early: exercise the main shut-off valve, flush the water heater, check exposed pipes for insulation, disconnect hoses before the first freeze, and test the sump pump.
How to get residential plumbing in Baltimore
- Call 443-863-5471. Tell us what's happening and where you are. Calls are answered 24/7.
- We connect you. You're put through to a licensed, independent local plumber who handles this kind of job in your area.
- Get a clear quote. The plumber explains the problem and the price before any work starts.
- You decide. Approve the work, and the plumber completes it with any permit your city or county requires.
Plumbers in Baltimore Today is a free referral service; we don't perform plumbing work ourselves. How it works.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a good, licensed plumber?
Ask for the contractor's Maryland plumbing license number and check it with the State Board of Plumbing. Ask for proof of insurance and get the scope and price in writing.
Will a plumber give a free estimate?
It depends on the contractor. Some quote larger jobs for free after a visit; many charge a diagnostic or trip fee for repairs. Ask when you book.