Sewer Line Replacement in Riverdale, MD

Signs it's time to replace

• Main-line clogs that come back soon after clearing
• Roots in what the drain machine brings out
• Water rising in the basement floor drain or a ground-floor shower
• Several fixtures gurgling or draining slowly at once
• A camera showing cracks, root intrusion or offset joints at several points

Riverdale's sewer and housing

Riverdale is a postal name. It covers the incorporated Town of Riverdale Park, which was incorporated in 1920 as the Town of Riverdale and renamed in 1998, plus nearby unincorporated areas such as Riverdale Heights. The Riverdale post office still uses the old name. Wherever your address falls, WSSC Water provides water and sewer, and its Emergency Service Center (301-206-4002) handles trouble in the public system.

Riverdale Park grew as a streetcar suburb along US 1, just south of College Park, and the town's median home was built in 1957. Laterals under houses of that age can be clay, which admits roots at each joint, or cast iron, which corrodes and scales until it cracks. Big shade trees on older lots make root intrusion a frequent reason lines fail. When a camera finds those problems scattered along the run, replacing it usually costs less over the years than repeated clearings and spot repairs.

What changes the cost

• The distance and depth to the WSSC main
• Lining or bursting along the old path versus trenching
• Porches, steps, walks and tree roots along the route
• Old cast iron drain pipe inside the house that also needs replacing
• The WSSC permit and inspection, with the work done by a plumber holding a WSSC license

What happens when you call

You will be connected with an independent local plumber who works in Riverdale. Expect a camera inspection and a locate before the price is set, so the route, depth and condition of the line are clear. The plumber should explain which method fits, how the WSSC permit and inspection are handled, and how the yard and any walks will be put back. If you are inside the Town of Riverdale Park, ask whether any town step applies to your job as well.