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Emergency Plumber in Silver Spring, MD
What counts as a plumbing emergency
- Water you can't stop: a burst or split pipe, failed supply line, or water heater leaking from the tank.
- Sewage backing up into a tub, toilet or basement floor drain.
- No water in the house (check first whether WSSC Water has an outage or main break on its alerts map).
- A gas smell near a gas water heater. Leave the house and call Washington Gas or 911 from outside. Don't call a plumber first.
What to do before the plumber arrives
- Find the main shutoff now, before you need it. In many Silver Spring colonials and ramblers it's on the front basement wall where the line comes in from the street.
- Turn off power to an electric water heater, or set a gas heater to 'pilot', if it's leaking.
- Open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain pressure from the pipes.
- Take photos of the damage for your homeowner's insurance claim.
- If sewage is involved, keep kids and pets away and don't use any fixtures.
Why winter is the busy season here
Cold snaps in the DC area usually last only a few days, so many older homes have pipes in exterior walls, unheated crawl spaces and garages that were never insulated. Pipes often split when the temperature first drops into the teens, and the leak appears as the pipe thaws. Keep cabinet doors on outside walls open and let a faucet drip on the coldest nights.
Frequently asked questions
Should I call WSSC Water or a plumber for a sewer backup?
Both. WSSC Water's 24-hour emergency line is 301-206-4002. A WSSC-registered plumber has to snake the line to determine whether the blockage is on your side or WSSC's side, and WSSC only accepts blockage reports from registered plumbers.
Where is my main water shutoff?
Usually it's on the wall where the water service enters the house, often the front basement wall, close to the meter. Some homes also have a curb stop near the property line, which WSSC Water or a plumber operates.
Does homeowner's insurance cover a burst pipe?
Sudden, accidental water damage is often covered. Sewer backup usually needs a separate endorsement. Check your policy and photograph everything before cleanup.