Sewer Line Replacement in Kensington, MD

Why do Kensington sewer lines need replacing?

Kensington grew from a summer retreat into a commuter suburb, and its southern core is a planned Victorian-era layout that now forms the Kensington Historic District. The median home in town was built in 1959, and the historic district holds much older houses. Sewer laterals from those years are usually clay or cast iron. Over decades, clay joints separate and let in roots, while cast iron corrodes and scales until it cracks. Once a camera shows that kind of damage at several points, another round of root cutting only buys a little time.

Does the Town have a say?

For the plumbing itself, WSSC Water is the permit office: it issues plumbing and service connection permits through its ePermitting system, and the work must be done by a plumber registered with WSSC Water. The Town of Kensington also has its own forms for home construction projects, so if the job involves digging across the yard, rebuilding a walk or a driveway, or anything near a historic property, call Town Hall at 301-949-2424 before starting. Note that the 20895 ZIP code, often called Greater Kensington, is much larger than the town itself. Addresses outside the town limits deal with Montgomery County for building permits instead of Town Hall.

Can it be done without tearing up the yard?

Often. If the old line still holds its slope, pipe bursting can pull new pipe through the old path, or a cured-in-place liner can form a new pipe inside the old one, both from small access pits. That's useful under mature trees and old brick or stone walks. A line that has collapsed or sagged usually has to be dug up at least in that section. The camera footage tells the plumber which approach fits, and it's worth keeping a copy for your records once the job is done.

Local note

WSSC Water handles sewer emergencies at 301-206-4002, for problems like sewage in the street or a manhole overflowing. If only your house is backing up, the private line is the likely problem, and a plumber is the right first call. A plumber can usually clear the line to get you through until the replacement is scheduled.