A slab leak in Lanham is a water line leaking beneath a concrete floor, typically a basement slab, a garage or a townhouse lower level. WSSC Water owns the service line only to the property line, so the pipe beyond it, including any under your floor, is yours to fix. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Lanham.
Lanham homes
Lanham is a fully built-out inner suburb along the Capital Beltway, across from the New Carrollton Metro and Amtrak station, and the Lanham mailing address also covers Seabrook and other nearby areas. The median home dates to about 1969. Houses of that era often have copper supply pipe, and some still have galvanized steel in places, especially where earlier repairs were never fully redone. Many have basements or lower levels where the water service comes through the foundation and may run under the floor to the shutoff or the laundry area.
Half a century under concrete takes a toll. Copper thins where it rubs against stone, fittings loosen as the house settles, and galvanized pipe corrodes from the inside. A leak in one spot is often a clue to the condition of the rest, so ask the plumber to look at any exposed pipe in the basement while the leak is being traced. That quick look helps decide whether a repair or a broader replacement is the smarter spend.
Options compared
| Option | Good fit when | Downside |
|---|---|---|
| Spot repair | One leak, solid pipe around it, easy flooring | Other aging sections may leak later |
| Reroute | Pipe is old, or the floor is finished and hard to open | Some wall or ceiling work to hide the new line |
| Repipe | Galvanized or failing copper through much of the house | Largest job; WSSC requires a plumber holding its license for re-piping |
What to watch for
- A meter that keeps turning when nothing is on
- Dampness on a lower-level floor that keeps coming back
- A warm spot near the water heater or a bath
- Rust-colored water or pressure loss, common with old galvanized lines
- A bill that jumps without explanation
Seasonal notes
In winter, cold floors make hot-side leaks easier to feel. Freezing weather can also crack pipe along exterior walls or under a garage slab, which may not leak until it thaws. During heavy summer storms, water on a basement floor may be from outside rather than from a pipe. If the meter is still with everything off, look at drainage and the sump first. For water surfacing near the street, call WSSC Water's emergency line at 301-206-4002.
Slab Leak Repair questions in Lanham
How can I tell whether the leak is under the house or out in the yard?
Will homeowners insurance pay for a slab leak?
Are older pipe materials more likely to leak under a floor?
How do I use the water meter to check for a hidden leak?
More plumbing services in Lanham
Slab Leak Repair nearby
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