Sewer Line Replacement in Laurel, MD

Local conditions in Laurel

Laurel started as a Patuxent River mill town and built its first sewer system in 1912, so the blocks around the Main Street Historic District have some of the oldest drain lines in this part of the county. The city's median home dates to 1984, though, and much of Laurel is later subdivisions and townhouse communities where plastic pipe is the norm. WSSC Water serves the city for water and sewer, with its emergency line at 301-206-4002 for trouble in the public system.

Permits are split. The City of Laurel's Department of the Fire Marshal and Permit Services handles building permits, but its checklist says the City does not review or inspect plumbing, and plumbing permits are applied for directly with WSSC Water. The Laurel mailing area also reaches into West Laurel and South Laurel outside city limits, and across county lines into Howard and Anne Arundel counties, where the utility and permit office can differ. Check your bill if you are unsure.

Signs you are past patching

• Clogs in the main line keep coming back after clearing
• Gurgling from a toilet or tub when other fixtures drain
• Sewage first appearing in a basement floor drain
• A camera showing roots, cracks or offsets along much of the run

Timing and the seasons

A replacement found on a routine camera check can be planned for a dry stretch, when the ground is easier to work and restoring the yard goes better. Winter work is possible, but frozen ground slows digging. Heavy summer storms tend to expose weak lines, so a backup right after a downpour is a good reason to get the camera in soon. If sewage is already in the house, do not wait for better weather.