Water Damage Restoration in Beltsville, MD

Beltsville sits right between Laurel and College Park, where Route 1, I-95 and the Capital Beltway meet. It borders Laurel to the south, and we know its mix of mid-century houses, apartment complexes and busy commercial roads well.

Why water damage in Beltsville is different

Mid-century split-levels and ramblers. Many Beltsville homes were built from the 1950s through the 1970s. Split-level and raised ranch designs put a family room or bedroom partly below grade. That lower level is where storm water, seepage and sewer backups land first.

Crawl spaces. A good share of older Beltsville houses sit on crawl spaces instead of full basements. Pipes, ducts and insulation run through a space that's damp most of the year. Frozen pipes and slow leaks there can go unnoticed for weeks.

Lots of open land nearby. The USDA's Beltsville Agricultural Research Center covers much of the land north and east of the community. Streams like Indian Creek and the Little Paint Branch drain through the area, and low streets near them can collect water in big storms.

Commercial and industrial space. Warehouses, shops, offices and light industrial sites line Route 1 and the side roads off it. A sprinkler line break or roof leak there can halt a business.

Common water problems in Beltsville

Tips for Beltsville homeowners and businesses

• Open your crawl space vent or hatch once a season and look for standing water, sagging insulation or a torn vapor barrier.
• Insulate pipes that run through crawl spaces and along garage walls before winter.
• Keep the grade sloping away from the house so rain doesn't pool against the lower level.
• If your lower level has a bathroom, ask a plumber about a backflow valve.
• Business owners: know where your sprinkler riser and main water shutoff are, and keep the access clear.

Crawl spaces: out of sight, still a problem

Crawl spaces cause more trouble than most owners expect. Ground moisture rises into them all year. When a pipe leaks or insulation gets wet, the space can stay damp for months. Mold there sends a musty smell up into the living area through gaps in the floor and ductwork. We dry crawl spaces with dehumidifiers, remove wet insulation and point out vapor barrier gaps. Our guide on musty smells covers what that odor usually means.

Commercial water damage in Beltsville

For businesses, downtime costs as much as the damage. We start with water removal and drying the same day, set up containment so you can keep using unaffected areas, and keep a moisture log for your insurer and landlord. Business interruption coverage on a commercial policy may help with lost income, so call your agent early.

Apartments along Route 1 and Cherry Hill Road

Garden apartments and larger complexes line Route 1 and Cherry Hill Road. A leak in an upper unit often shows up as a stain in the unit below. Renters should report leaks to management in writing right away. Property managers can call us to dry several units at once and keep records for each.

Sewer service in Beltsville

Beltsville is served by WSSC Water. If sewage backs up, WSSC Water recommends calling a WSSC-registered plumber to clear the line. WSSC decides whether the blockage is the owner's or its own, and if it's on WSSC's side, it clears it at no charge. Call us for the cleanup either way.

Water damage questions in Beltsville

Sources

1. WSSC Water: Sewer backups
2. U.S. EPA: Mold Cleanup in Your Home