In Upper Marlboro, a sewer line replacement means new pipe from your house to the public sewer or, on some rural parcels, to a private onsite system. The Upper Marlboro mailing area covers about 77 square miles around a very small county-seat town, so service varies by address. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Upper Marlboro.
Upper Marlboro at a glance
The incorporated Town of Upper Marlboro, county seat of Prince George's County since 1721, has only about 650 residents. Most homes with an Upper Marlboro address sit in the much larger unincorporated area around it, which mixes horse-farm countryside with growing developments such as Westphalia. WSSC Water runs mains serving customers in the area, but sewer service is not uniform across the whole postal area, and outlying rural parcels may not be on public sewer. Your bill is the quickest way to tell. The median home dates to 1982, so many lines are plastic, with older materials more likely near the historic town center.
Newer subdivisions bring their own problems: plastic pipe laid in fresh fill can settle and form a belly, and joints disturbed during construction or later landscaping can separate. On older and rural properties, long runs and tree roots are the usual story. A camera inspection tells you which applies before any price is discussed.
What to do right now
- Stop using water until the cause is known.
- Check whether it is just your house. If sewage is coming from a public manhole or neighbors are affected, call WSSC Water at 301-206-4002.
- Find your cleanout so the plumber can get a camera into the line.
- Know your service. If your bill shows no WSSC sewer charges, tell the plumber your home likely drains to an onsite system.
- Protect the basement by moving belongings off the floor and keeping everyone away from sewage.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Repeat clogs after clearing | Roots in joints, or a sag that keeps collecting solids |
| Slow drains across the house | A partial blockage or collapse in the main line |
| Wet or sunken ground along the line | A break washing out the soil |
| Trouble after heavy rain | Groundwater entering cracked pipe |
Cost factors
- Run length, which can be long on larger lots
- Depth and slope of the existing line
- Trenchless lining or bursting versus an open trench
- Driveways, fencing and landscaping along the route
- Interior drain pipe under a basement floor or slab that also needs work
- Permit and inspection: Prince George's County says all plumbing permits are issued by WSSC Water, and the work must be done by a plumber holding a WSSC license
Sewer Line Replacement questions in Upper Marlboro
What if my property is not connected to public sewer?
How do I find out which utility handles sewer at my address?
What affects the price of a sewer line replacement?
Do underground utilities need to be marked before the digging starts?
More plumbing services in Upper Marlboro
Sewer Line Replacement nearby
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