Most Clarksburg homes were built after 2000 and are on WSSC Water's public sewer, so the mains are WSSC's and the plastic line from the house to the WSSC connection is the owner's to repair. Newer lines still fail from settled backfill, separated joints and construction debris. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Clarksburg.
Clarksburg is an old crossroads at the north end of the I-270 corridor that is now mostly new subdivisions; the median home was built around 2010, and only about 6% of homes predate 1980. Sewage from the northern part of Montgomery County is treated at WSSC's Seneca Water Resource Recovery Facility in Germantown. On the rural edges, the county assigns some properties to private wells and onsite wastewater systems rather than public sewer, so check your property's category if you're unsure.
What to do right now
- Stop running water: no laundry, dishwasher or showers until the line is checked.
- If sewage is coming out of a manhole or into the street, call WSSC Water at 301-206-4002.
- If it's only your home, keep everyone away from the overflowing fixture.
- Find the cleanout, usually a capped pipe near the foundation or in the lower level.
- If the house is under a builder warranty, check whether the sewer line is still covered.
- Call the number on this page to reach a plumber who can clear the line and run a camera.
Symptoms in newer homes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Lower-level drain backs up soon after move-in | Construction debris, grout or mud left in the line |
| Recurring slow drains with no roots found | A belly where trench backfill settled |
| Gurgling after heavy rain | Groundwater entering a separated joint |
| Clog at a consistent distance from the cleanout | Offset joint or a damaged fitting |
| Backup after a fence, deck or patio install | Pipe hit or crushed during digging |
Cost factors
- How deep the line runs and how long the damaged section is
- Sod, landscaping, a driveway or a patio over the pipe
- Whether the problem can be fixed from inside the pipe or needs a trench
- Adding a cleanout if the existing one is hard to reach
- WSSC permit and inspection; sewer service line repairs must be done by a plumber registered with WSSC (Permit Services 301-206-4003)
Many Clarksburg homes are reaching the age where the first round of problems shows up, so a camera inspection is a sensible first step even if the line is fairly new.
Sewer Line Repair questions in Clarksburg
Can the sewer line on a newer house still fail?
How do I find out who provides sewer service at my address?
Why does the plumber want a camera inspection before quoting?
Should I call the sewer utility or a plumber first?
More plumbing services in Clarksburg
Sewer Line Repair nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: