In Lanham, most homes date to the late 1960s or so, and a hidden leak usually appears as a WSSC Water bill that won't settle down, a meter that moves when the house is still, or a damp patch in the basement. A plumber can find it by isolating and testing the plumbing rather than opening walls. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Lanham.
Lanham's plumbing at a glance
Lanham is a fully built-out inner suburb along the Capital Beltway, next to the New Carrollton Metro and Amtrak station. The Lanham mailing address covers a wider area than the community itself, including Seabrook. The median home in Lanham was built in 1969, so many houses are on their original supply and drain piping, valves and fittings. That age is when slow leaks become common: a joint that weeps, a valve stem that drips, or a water heater connection that corrodes.
WSSC Water provides water and sewer service. It owns the service line from the main to the property line, and the homeowner owns the stretch from the property line into the house. WSSC requires that water and sewer service line repairs, as well as interior repiping, be done by a professional holding the proper WSSC license. Water bubbling up in the street goes to WSSC's emergency line at 301-206-4002.
Repair or replace once the leak is found?
| Situation | Spot repair makes sense | Replacing a section makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| Single leaking joint or valve | Yes, if the pipe around it is sound | Rarely |
| Several leaks in the same run | Short-term fix only | Usually the better value |
| Corroded or pitted pipe | Not recommended | Yes |
| Leak on the yard line to the house | If the line is otherwise solid | If it is old or leaking in more than one place |
Signs worth investigating
- A bill well above last year's for the same month
- Water stains on ceilings or basement walls
- A running sound when everything is off
- Low pressure at one fixture
Timing and seasonal notes
Leaks tend to surface after the first hard freeze of winter, when pipes in exterior walls or near crawlspace vents crack, and in spring when outdoor faucets are turned back on. Check the meter after each. Heavy summer storms are another time to pay attention: water in a Lanham basement after a downpour may be runoff rather than plumbing, so note whether the dampness tracks the weather or shows up on dry days too. Water heater replacements and other permitted plumbing work go through WSSC Water, not the county.
Leak Detection questions in Lanham
Are older homes here more prone to hidden leaks?
Who is responsible for a leak between the street and my house?
How does a plumber find a leak without tearing things apart?
Do I need a permit to fix a leak once it is found?
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