Slab Leak Repair in Takoma Park, MD

Why do older Takoma Park homes leak under the basement floor?

Takoma Park was founded in 1883 as a planned commuter suburb on the District line, and its large historic district still holds many early houses. Homes of that age have often been replumbed in pieces over the decades, leaving a mix of galvanized steel, early copper and newer pipe. The incoming service line and some branches frequently run under the basement slab, where old pipe can corrode from the inside or wear where it sits on stone. Joints between old and new material are another common failure point.

Is it a supply leak or a drain leak?

The water meter answers that. Supply lines are under constant pressure, so a leak in one keeps the meter moving even when nothing is running. Drain lines only carry water when something is used, so a broken drain under the slab won't show on the meter; instead you might notice a sewer smell, damp spots after showers or laundry, or slow drains. Under a heavy tree canopy like Takoma Park's, roots can also work into old drain joints. A plumber pressure-tests the supply side and runs a camera through the drains to tell the two apart.

What does WSSC handle, and what do I handle?

WSSC Water says part of the service line is utility-owned and part is customer-owned, and owners planning to replace their portion should notify WSSC first. Its What's Your Pipe Type? program helps identify pipe materials and supports replacing lead lines on both portions, which is worth checking in a house this age. Water or sewer emergencies in the street go to WSSC's Emergency Service Center at 301-206-4002. Plumbing permits come from WSSC Permit Services, and service line work is done by a plumber registered with WSSC.

A Takoma Park note

WSSC's tap analysis shows average hardness near 140 mg/L for Potomac-plant water and about 64 mg/L for Patuxent-plant water. That matters for fixtures and heaters, but in Takoma Park's older homes, pipe age is a far bigger factor in leaks under the floor. If water is spreading across the basement, close the main shutoff where the service line enters and leave it closed until the plumber has found the source.