A sewer backup in College Park usually means the building sewer between the house and the WSSC Water main is blocked, broken or full of roots. WSSC handles the public main, while the private line is repaired by a plumber holding a WSSC license. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in College Park.
College Park is home to the University of Maryland, and its housing ranges from early 20th-century neighborhoods such as Calvert Hills and Old Town to newer apartments along US 1. The median home dates to about 1979. Lakeland, near Paint Branch and Indian Creek, is historically low-lying and flood-prone, so basement water there is a familiar problem. Here is what to do when a sewer line acts up.
What to do now
- Stop running water: no laundry, dishwasher or showers until the line is cleared.
- Look outside. If a manhole is overflowing or neighbors have the same problem, call WSSC Water's emergency line at 301-206-4002.
- Skip the chemical drain openers. They rarely reach a main line clog and leave caustic water for the plumber to work in.
- Find the cleanout if you can, often a capped pipe near the foundation or in the basement, so it can be reached quickly.
- Move stored items off the basement floor and take photos for any insurance claim.
- Call the number on this page and describe which drains backed up first.
What the symptoms usually mean
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Floor drain fills when the washer empties | Blockage in the main building sewer |
| Toilet gurgles while a nearby sink drains | Partial clog or poor venting downstream |
| Backup returns weeks after clearing | Roots, a sag or a broken joint holding debris |
| Sewer odor in the yard | Crack or separated joint leaking underground |
| Basement backs up only in heavy rain | Groundwater or storm water getting into the line |
Cost factors
- Pipe material and condition; older Calvert Hills and Old Town homes can have clay or cast iron
- Depth, length and location of the damage
- Pavement, steps or landscaping over the route
- Trenchless lining versus excavation and new pipe
- Permit and inspection through WSSC Water Permit Services (301-206-4003)
A camera inspection is what turns these factors into a specific plan, so expect it before any firm quote. Ask for a copy of the video for your records; it helps if you want a second opinion or need to show a landlord, home warranty company or insurer what was found.
Rental houses near campus deserve a word of their own. Several tenants sharing one older line tends to mean more grease, more paper and more wipes going down the drains, so a line that was already narrowed by roots or scale can clog repeatedly. If that's the pattern at your property, the repair conversation should include whether cleaning alone will hold or whether a damaged section needs fixing.
Sewer Line Repair questions in College Park
Can heavy summer storms cause a sewer backup?
What are older sewer lines in this area usually made of?
Should I call the sewer utility or a plumber first?
Why does a plumber want to run a camera before quoting a repair?
More plumbing services in College Park
Sewer Line Repair nearby
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