Slab Leak Repair in Greenbelt, MD

What happens when you call

You will be connected with an independent plumber who works in Greenbelt. Expect a few questions: whether the meter moves with everything off, whether the problem seems tied to hot water, and where you have seen dampness, warmth or cracking. On the visit, the plumber typically confirms the leak with a pressure test, splits the system into hot and cold, and then pinpoints the spot with listening equipment or a thermal camera. Once the location is known, you choose between a spot repair through the concrete and a reroute that leaves the old pipe in place.

What affects the cost

• Detection. A clear warm spot is quicker to pin down than a slow cold-side leak.
• Concrete access. Cutting, digging and patching a section of slab takes time, more so near walls or under cabinets.
• Reroute path. Townhouse rows with shared walls and limited ceiling space can make new pipe runs more involved.
• Finish work. Tile, hardwood and finished basements cost more to restore than bare concrete.
• Permits. WSSC Water issues plumbing permits; if the job also needs a county building permit, Greenbelt requires a city permit too.

Greenbelt homes and water

Greenbelt began in 1937 as the first and largest of the federal Greenbelt Towns, and its housing ranges from the original cooperative homes in Old Greenbelt to later developments in Greenbelt East and Greenbelt West. The median home dates to about 1976, so original piping from the 1930s through the 1970s is common. Pipe of that age running under concrete is exactly where slab leaks tend to start.

WSSC's tap water analysis puts average hardness at about 140 mg/L for water from its Potomac plant and about 64 mg/L from its Patuxent plant, and which plant serves a given address varies. WSSC says part of the service line is utility-owned and part is customer-owned, and asks customers replacing their portion to let it know. For water surfacing near the street, call WSSC's emergency line, 301-206-4002.

Before the plumber arrives

• Note what the meter did with all fixtures off
• Find the main shutoff and confirm it turns
• Clear furniture, boxes and rugs from damp or warm areas
• If you own a co-op or condo unit, check who is responsible for pipe under shared floors
• Photograph any damage for your insurer