A slab leak in Upper Marlboro is a water line leaking under a concrete floor, and the right first step depends on whether your home is on WSSC Water or a private supply. Either way, the pipe inside the house and beneath its floor is the owner's responsibility. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Upper Marlboro.
The Town of Upper Marlboro is the small county seat, but the Upper Marlboro mailing area covers about 77 square miles, from horse-farm countryside to growing developments such as Westphalia. WSSC Water runs mains in the Upper Marlboro area, while water and sewer service in outlying rural sections varies by address. The median home dates to about 1982, and the growing developments keep adding newer houses to the mix. Whether a home is a farmhouse with an old basement or a recent build with a poured floor, any supply pipe that runs under concrete can leak where no one sees it. On a large lot, the yard line can also be long, so telling a yard leak from an under-floor leak is worth doing before anyone cuts concrete.
What to do now
- Check your supply. If you get a WSSC bill, use the meter. If not, you may be on a private well, and the pump and pressure tank are your gauge.
- Shut everything off. Close faucets, appliances and any irrigation.
- Watch for movement. On WSSC water, see whether the meter's leak indicator turns. On a well, see whether the pump starts or tank pressure falls.
- Feel the floor. A warm area on tile or concrete suggests a hot water line.
- Report street-side leaks. Water surfacing near the meter or road goes to WSSC Water's emergency line, 301-206-4002.
- Dry and protect. Move belongings and ventilate damp areas.
Symptom guide
| What you notice | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Meter turning with all water off | Hidden leak in the house or service line |
| Well pump running with no demand | Leak somewhere on the private system |
| Warm spot near the water heater or a bath | Hot supply line leaking under the slab |
| Damp carpet along an interior wall | Supply line leaking under or beside the floor |
| Water on the basement floor after storms | Groundwater or surface drainage, not a pipe |
Cost factors
- Time needed to confirm and pinpoint the leak
- Spot repair through the concrete or a reroute through walls and ceilings
- Restoring tile, hardwood or a finished basement
- Builder warranty coverage on a very new home
- A WSSC Water permit when required; in Prince George's County, all plumbing permits come from WSSC, and WSSC requires a plumber holding its license for re-piping and service line work
Slab Leak Repair questions in Upper Marlboro
My home gets water from a private well. How would a slab leak show up?
Does slab leak work need a permit, and who issues it?
How can I tell whether the leak is under the house or out in the yard?
My house is fairly new. Can it still have a slab leak?
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