Water damage repair in Lanham, near Greenbelt

Lanham up close

Lanham, near Greenbelt, is served with the Silver Spring area. It is a settled community of single-family houses. Census figures show 6% of homes are in buildings with 5 or more units, against 31% across Prince George's County, and only 1% of households moved in since 2021. With 65% of homes built before 1980, many owners have lived with the same plumbing for years: copper lines, basement water heaters and drains that may be original.

Cold nights are the main risk. NOAA climate normals show 112 nights a year at or below 32 degrees and 36 at or below 20, well above the county's 93 and 23. Pipes along outside walls and in crawlspaces freeze, and the leak often shows only after the thaw.

Outside water is the other risk. FEMA records show 1.9 flood claims per 1,000 homes in Lanham from 2016 to 2025, above the county's 1.2, and Prince George's County logged 62 days with flash flood or flood reports in that period. Only 0.9% of county homes carry federal flood insurance. A basement that takes in rain usually needs flood coverage, while burst pipe cleanup usually falls under the homeowners policy. Basement checks come first for water removal in Greenbelt as well.

Before the crew arrives in Lanham

Lanham is colder than Prince George's County as a whole, with 112 nights a year at or below 32 degrees and 36 at or below 20, against 93 and 23 countywide, according to NOAA climate normals. In houses built before 1980, which are 65% of the town's homes, the main shutoff is usually in the basement or crawlspace near the front wall. Close it as soon as you see water. Then cut power to wet rooms from a dry spot. Photograph the burst pipe or other source, the water line and each damaged item before moving anything. Carry boxes and electronics out of a wet basement and lift furniture off the floor. If storm water came in, photograph where. Day or night, the call is answered 24/7.