Slab Leak Repair in Damascus, MD

Clues that point to a leak under the floor

• The WSSC meter keeps turning with every faucet, toilet and appliance off
• On a well, the pump kicks on overnight when nobody is using water
• A patch of floor near the kitchen or a bath stays warm to bare feet
• Carpet in the lower level stays damp along one line or in one corner
• You hear water moving inside a wall or under the floor when the house is quiet

Rule out the simple causes first: a toilet flapper that leaks into the bowl, an outdoor spigot left cracked or a humidifier line can all mimic a hidden leak.

Local conditions in Damascus

Damascus grew as a small farm town where MD 27, MD 108 and MD 124 meet, and family farms and equestrian centers still ring the community. Its housing runs a bit older than most of upcounty Montgomery: about 35 percent of homes were built before 1980, and another 37 percent went up in the 1980s. Supply piping from those decades can thin, pinhole or loosen at fittings, particularly where it passes under a basement slab.

WSSC Water serves the Damascus core and even runs a small local treatment plant here, the Damascus Water Resource Recovery Facility. Montgomery County assigns every property a water and sewer category, though, and some properties outside the core are designated for private wells and onsite wastewater systems, so it pays to know which you have.

What affects the cost

• The time needed to isolate the leaking branch and mark the spot
• Whether the plumber cuts the slab or reroutes new pipe through walls or the basement ceiling
• Flooring and finishes that must be removed and replaced
• Drying out wet framing, drywall or carpet pad
• A WSSC Water plumbing permit and inspection when the job calls for one

What happens when you call

Your call is connected to an independent plumber who serves Damascus; Plumber Washington DC Pros is a referral line, not a contractor, so you settle the price and the plan with the plumber. Mention whether you are on WSSC water or a well, what the meter or pump is doing, and where you have noticed warmth or moisture. If water is visibly spreading, close the main shutoff before the plumber arrives. Street-side leaks between the main and the property line go to WSSC's Emergency Service Center at 301-206-4002.