For a burst pipe in Glenn Dale, close the main shutoff immediately and switch off power to anything wet. A plumber can then trace the rupture, replace the failed pipe or fitting and test the line before water is restored. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Glenn Dale.
My Glenn Dale house is fairly new. Why would a pipe burst?
Glenn Dale's median home was built in 1991, so most houses here aren't dealing with corroded galvanized pipe. New plumbing still fails when water freezes inside it. A pipe in an exterior wall behind a kitchen sink, a line running through an unheated garage, or a hose bib with a hose still attached can split on a single hard night. Plastic supply lines, washing machine hoses, toilet connectors and water heater fittings that are now three decades old also give out, and a failed connector can dump as much water as a split pipe.
Who handles a break outside the house?
WSSC Water provides public water in Prince George's County, including Glenn Dale, though it's worth confirming on your bill. WSSC is responsible for the service line from the main to the property line, and the property owner is responsible from the property line into the home. If water is surfacing in the street or at the meter, call WSSC's Emergency Service Center at 301-206-4002. A leak on your side of the property line is a repair you arrange with a plumber, and WSSC requires that plumber to hold its license.
What should I do while I wait?
Close the main valve, usually in the basement or utility room. Open the lowest faucet to drain the pipes. Turn off breakers to wet rooms, and switch off an electric water heater or set a gas unit to pilot. Move furniture and boxes out of the water, run fans and take photos for your insurer. If you smell gas, go outside before doing anything else and call 911 and your gas utility; its emergency number is on your gas bill.
A note on permits in Glenn Dale
Glenn Dale is unincorporated, so building permits come from Prince George's County's Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement in Largo (301-636-2000), while plumbing and gas permits and inspections are handled by WSSC Water. A straight pipe repair is usually simple, but if the fix grows into a water heater replacement or a new run of pipe, the plumber will pull the permit through WSSC.
Burst Pipe Repair questions in Glenn Dale
Who pays to fix a break between the street and my house?
Can an outdoor spigot burst inside the wall?
How does a plumber find a break hidden in a wall or ceiling?
How do I protect the pipes if we leave home for a winter trip?
More plumbing services in Glenn Dale
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