Leak Detection in Clinton, MD

Clues that point to a leak in Clinton

• Higher water use on your WSSC bill with no new appliances, guests or watering
• A meter reading that changes while the whole house is idle
• A soggy or unusually green patch of yard along the path of the water line
• Mildew or a damp smell in a basement corner or under a vanity
• A toilet that refills by itself every so often with nobody using it
• Water stains on the ceiling under an upstairs bathroom or laundry

What to know about leaks in Clinton

Clinton is an unincorporated community about 12 miles from downtown Washington, and its homes are newer than those inside the Beltway; the median house here was built in 1987. That age range still brings plenty of leaks. Supply lines under sinks, the valve on the water heater, ice maker tubing and the fill valves inside toilets are all reaching the point where they wear out, and pipe joints inside finished basements can drip for months behind drywall before anyone sees a stain.

Responsibility for the water line is split. WSSC Water owns the service line from its main to the property line, and the homeowner owns everything from the property line into the house. Water bubbling up in the street or at the curb belongs with WSSC's emergency line, 301-206-4002. A wet yard between the property line and your foundation, or anything indoors, is a job for a plumber. WSSC also requires that repairs and replacements of water service lines be done by a plumber who holds a WSSC license.

What affects the cost

Cost comes down to time and access. A leak a plumber can confirm with a meter test and a look at the fixtures is a short visit. One hidden in a finished basement ceiling, a wall cavity or underground between the property line and the house takes more testing, and possibly more equipment such as acoustic listening tools or a thermal camera, to find. The repair itself is a separate piece, and a section of service line costs more than a new supply hose.

What happens when you call

When you call the number on this page, you're connected with an independent plumber who serves Clinton. Expect questions about the meter, your bill and where you've seen moisture. At the house, the plumber shuts off and tests sections of piping to narrow things down, shows you where the leak is, and explains the repair before starting.