Alexandria is an independent city, not part of any county, and its housing ranges from Craftsman bungalows more than a century old to townhouses finished in the 2000s. Those homes present different challenges when an appliance needs work. This guide covers the two parts of the city we work in, what their homes tend to have in common, and how to prepare for a repair visit.
The two ZIP codes we cover
We work in 22301 and 22304. Our Alexandria service area page has the details.
- •22301 takes in Del Ray, with Mount Vernon Avenue as its main street, along with Rosemont and part of Potomac Yard.
- •22304 covers much of the West End: Cameron Station, Brookville–Seminary Valley, the Landmark and Van Dorn area, and the Virginia Theological Seminary.
Old Town, in 22314, isn't part of our area, and neither are Arlandria or Parkfairfax.
Del Ray and Rosemont: older houses, tighter spaces
Del Ray and St. Elmo were laid out starting in 1894 and incorporated together as the Town of Potomac in 1908, before Alexandria annexed the town in 1930. Rosemont grew up between 1908 and 1914 as a streetcar suburb. Much of the housing is 1.5-story Craftsman bungalows, Colonial Revivals and early-1900s two-story houses, with some townhouse blocks mixed in.
Houses this old have usually been updated in stages, and that affects appliances in a few ways.
Kitchens that were never designed for today's appliances
A modern refrigerator is often deeper and taller than the opening in an older kitchen. When a fridge is wedged in with no gap at the top or back, it can't shed heat well, and it runs longer and warmer. Before calling about a fridge that struggles in summer, check the clearances in the installation guide.
Wiring and circuits
Older houses may have fewer circuits than a modern kitchen needs. If a dishwasher, microwave and toaster oven share one circuit, a breaker that trips may not mean the appliance is faulty. Pay attention to what else was running when it tripped. Wiring questions belong with an electrician.
Basement laundry and narrow stairs
Many bungalows put the washer and dryer in the basement, reached by a narrow stair. That has little effect on a repair, since most work is done where the machine stands, but it matters a lot if an appliance ever has to be replaced. Measure the stairway and doorways before buying.
Dryer vents
Basement dryers in older houses sometimes vent through long runs to a far wall. Lint collects, especially at bends. A dryer that takes two cycles often has a vent problem. Check the vent outside while the dryer runs: you should feel strong airflow.
Potomac Yard: newer construction
The part of Potomac Yard in 22301 has newer townhouses and apartments. The Potomac Yard–VT Metro station opened in 2023. In newer townhouses, laundry is often on an upper floor, which brings its own leak risks. Our article on protecting the floor below an upstairs washer covers drain pans, hoses and shutoffs.
The West End: three kinds of home
Cameron Station
Cameron Station was an Army supply depot from the early 1940s until it closed in 1995. The site was redeveloped in phases from about 1999 to 2007 into townhouses, condos and single-family homes under a community association, with extensive parkland alongside. Many townhouses have laundry upstairs. Parking can be limited on some streets, so tell us where to park when you book.
Brookville–Seminary Valley
Here the housing is mostly brick townhouses, ramblers, split-levels and Cape Cods from the 1940s through the 1960s. Kitchens and laundry areas have often been remodeled, and it's worth checking how the washer's supply valves, drain and dryer vent were handled in any past renovation.
High-rises along Duke Street
Condo and apartment towers along Duke Street near Landmark and Van Dorn Street have building rules that affect contractors. Some managers require a certificate of insurance, reserved service elevator time, or specific work hours. Ask your building office what applies before you book, and pass it along to us.
The former Landmark Mall site is under construction as WestEnd Alexandria. It will affect traffic and access in the area for some time.
Renting in Alexandria
Plenty of homes in both ZIP codes are rentals, from garden apartments to townhouses owned by landlords who live elsewhere. If you rent, report an appliance problem to your landlord or property manager before booking anything yourself, since the lease usually makes them responsible for the appliances that came with the unit. Landlords arranging a repair can help by sending the model number and the tenant's contact details, and by telling us if someone needs to let the technician in.
Utilities in Alexandria
Water in Alexandria comes from Virginia American Water, which buys treated water from Fairfax Water. Mineral scale builds up over time in dishwashers, ice makers and washer inlet screens, so cleaning those screens and filters now and then pays off. Dominion Energy supplies the power and Washington Gas the natural gas. Anyone who smells gas around a stove or dryer should get out first and phone Washington Gas once outside.
How a visit works
When you book, tell us the appliance type, brand, model number if possible, what it's doing, and any building rules or parking notes. The diagnosis happens in your home. You get an explanation of the failed part and a price, and the repair only goes ahead once you've approved it. For an appliance that isn't worth fixing, we'll say that plainly. Our piece on repairing versus replacing can help with that decision.
Alexandria questions
Do you work in Old Town?
No. Old Town is in 22314, which is outside our service area. We cover 22301 and 22304 in Alexandria. Every ZIP code we cover appears on the service areas page.
My building requires contractors to carry insurance. What should I do?
Ask the management office for its requirements and share them with us when you book.
My refrigerator is too big for the space in my older kitchen. Will that cause problems?
It can. Refrigerators need airflow to shed heat. Check the installation guide for the minimum clearances, and if the fridge is crammed in tighter than that, it may run longer and hotter than it should.