Hydro Jetting in Kensington, MD

Why do older Kensington lines keep clogging?

Kensington grew from a summer retreat into a commuter suburb, and its southern core is a planned Victorian-era layout listed as the Kensington Historic District. With a median build year of 1959 for the town, many homes still have original drain piping: cast iron inside the house and iron or clay out to the street. Those pipes develop rough interiors that snag paper and grease, and their joints let in roots from established trees. A cable cuts a channel through the blockage; jetting cleans the whole pipe wall, so the line stays open longer.

Is it safe to jet a pipe that old?

Usually, as long as the pipe is in one piece. A camera inspection first shows the pipe material, any shifted or cracked joints, and where roots are entering. The plumber uses that to pick the nozzle and pressure. If the camera shows a collapse, jetting may still clean the line so the damage can be seen, but the fix is a repair. WSSC Water issues plumbing permits in Montgomery County, and sewer service line repairs must be done by a plumber registered with WSSC under a WSSC permit. The Town of Kensington also has its own forms for home construction projects; Town Hall is at 301-949-2424.

Who do I call first when the basement floods with sewage?

WSSC Water provides water and sewer service, and its emergency line, 301-206-4002, covers water and sewer problems. If several homes on the street are backing up, call there first. If it's only your house, call a plumber. Keep in mind that the 20895 Kensington mailing area is much larger than the town itself, but WSSC serves both.

One local note

In historic homes, the cleanout can be hard to find, buried under a later basement floor or hidden behind finished walls. If you don't know where yours is, the plumber can often get into the line through a toilet or a roof vent. When you call, mention the age of the house and any earlier sewer work, and keep water use to a minimum until the line is open.