Burst Pipe Repair in Bowie, MD

Clues that a supply pipe has split

• Water dripping through a basement ceiling or running down a wall
• Pressure dropping at every faucet at once
• A steady hiss behind drywall when nothing is running
• A frozen faucet that suddenly flows again after a thaw, with water appearing somewhere else
• Carpet or laminate turning soggy near a laundry room or water heater
• A wet strip of lawn between the street and the foundation that never dries

Bowie's two utilities and what they mean for you

Bowie is split between the city's own water and sewer system and WSSC Water. The City of Bowie system was built by the Levitt Corporation in the early 1960s and serves neighborhoods such as Somerset, Kenilworth, Whitehall, Yorktown and Tulip Grove; it draws groundwater from wells and treats it for iron and manganese. The rest of the city is on WSSC Water. If water is pouring out in the street and you're a city customer, call Bowie Public Works at 301-809-2344, or after hours reach the Police Communications Center at 240-544-5700. WSSC customers report breaks to its emergency line, 301-206-4002. Your bill tells you which one applies.

Bowie's median home was built in 1981, and the Levitt sections are older. The city says the Levitt houses were built with copper service connections. Older copper is still prone to pinholes and to splitting when water freezes in a run along an outside wall or above an unheated crawlspace.

What changes the price

• Where the break is. An exposed pipe in an unfinished basement is quicker to reach than one behind a finished ceiling.
• How much pipe is damaged. One frozen split is a short splice; several weak spots along an old copper run may mean replacing the section.
• Outdoor work. A break on the line between the property line and the house means digging and backfill.
• Timing. Nights, weekends and holidays usually cost more.
• Related damage. A failed water heater connection or valve adds parts and time.

When you call

You'll be connected with an independent plumber who serves Bowie. Have your main shut off, know which utility bills you and describe what kind of pipe you can see. The plumber cuts out the damaged section, fits new pipe, then brings the water back slowly and checks nearby joints. In Prince George's County, plumbing permits come from WSSC Water, and a water heater replacement needs one.