Sewer Line Repair in Takoma Park, MD

Why do Takoma Park sewer lines get roots so often?

Takoma Park was laid out in 1883 as a Victorian commuter suburb on the District line, and it's nicknamed Azalea City and shaded by a heavy tree canopy. That canopy is great for shade and hard on old sewer laterals. Clay pipe was joined in short sections with gaps that slowly open over the decades, and roots follow the moisture straight in. Cast iron lines can rust and scale inside, giving roots and debris more to catch on. With the median home built around 1954, and many in the historic district far older, a lot of local laterals are original.

Who handles what?

WSSC Water owns the public sewer mains in Takoma Park and runs an Emergency Service Center at 301-206-4002 for overflowing manholes or sewage in the street. The pipe from your house to the WSSC connection is a private repair. Sewer service line repairs and replacements must be done by a plumber registered with WSSC, and the permit comes from WSSC Water Permit Services (301-206-4003). Montgomery County handles building permits if the project needs one.

Is lining a good option on old lots?

It often is. Many Takoma Park houses sit on tight lots with mature trees, stone steps, porches and garden beds over the lateral. If the camera shows the pipe still holds its shape, a cured-in-place liner can seal joints and cracks from the inside with little digging. Pipe bursting is another way to pull a new line through the old path. A collapsed section or a severe sag usually has to be excavated, and roots may need to be cut back first either way.

• Toilets gurgle when the tub drains
• A basement floor drain fills during laundry
• Root clearing needed every year or two
• Sewer odor in the basement or near the cleanout

A local note

Older Takoma Park homes often have the cleanout in the basement near the front wall, and some have none at all. If yours is missing or buried, adding an accessible cleanout during the repair makes every future service call simpler.