Derwood's homes mostly date from the 1980s, so supply lines under basement and slab floors are now around 40 years old and can start to leak at fittings or worn spots. WSSC Water owns the service line from the main to the property line, and the owner is responsible from there in. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Derwood.
Derwood at a glance
Derwood is an unincorporated community just north of Rockville and southeast of Gaithersburg, close to the Shady Grove Metro and the Intercounty Connector. About two-thirds of its homes went up in the 1980s, in neighborhoods such as Mill Creek Towne and Needwood Estates, and the median build year is around 1985. Copper and fittings from that period can develop pinholes or loosen at joints, and in townhouses and homes with finished lower levels, some of that pipe sits under concrete. WSSC Water provides water and sewer service here.
What to do now
- Watch the meter. With every faucet, appliance and irrigation zone off, any movement on the dial means a leak.
- Eliminate easy suspects. Listen for a toilet refilling on its own and check outdoor spigots.
- Close the main valve if water is on the floor; it is usually near where the line enters the house.
- Isolate the water heater if the warm spot or noise seems to be on the hot side.
- Report street-side leaks to WSSC. Water surfacing between the main and the property line goes to 301-206-4002.
Symptoms and what they usually mean
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Dial moving with no water in use | Leak on the house side of the meter |
| Warm area on a kitchen or lower-level floor | Hot water line leaking under concrete |
| Musty smell in a finished basement with no visible water | Slow seep from a buried line |
| Cracked or lifting floor tile in one area | Water and soil movement under the slab |
| Hot water runs out sooner than it used to | Hot water escaping through a leak |
Cost factors
The main variables are locating time, whether the slab is cut for a repair or the line is rerouted overhead, what finished flooring and drywall must be restored, and whether more of the 1980s piping should be replaced while the area is open. Plumbing permits and inspections in Montgomery County come from WSSC Water, and the repair is done by a plumber registered with WSSC. In a townhouse, also check your association's documents before work starts, since a line under a shared slab can raise questions about who pays.
Slab Leak Repair questions in Derwood
Can a fairly new house have a leak under the slab?
Where does my share of the water service line begin?
Why does one spot on my floor feel warm?
Will homeowners insurance pay for a slab leak?
More plumbing services in Derwood
Slab Leak Repair nearby
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