Slab Leaks: What Causes Them And What To Do Next
Do you think your home might have a slab leak? Let’s go over what they are, how you can detect them, how they can happen, and more. We’ll prepare you with all of the information you need to know!
What is a Slab Leak?
It’s important to know what a this is in order to know how to detect one in your home. This is a leak that develops underneath the foundation of your home through your home’s water pipes. These water pipes are typically copper.
What are Signs of a Slab Leak?
There are quite a few signs of a slab leak. If you detect any of these signs in your home, it’s possible that you have a leak. These signs include:
- The sound of running or dripping water
- Seeing that your ceilings or walls are cracking
- You notice your water bill has inflated
- There is a lot of standing water near your homes foundation
- Your floor has “hot spots” – hot water can accumulate and cause one area of your floor to be hot
What Causes a Slab Leak?
Slab leaks are mostly because of improper installation or poor quality pipes. If the pipes that were being installed were damaged during the process in any way, this could lead to a leak sooner rather than later. It’s unfortunate, but the installation process needs to be taken very seriously and done carefully.
Are Slab Leaks Serious?
Yes, slab leaks are very serious. This is because if you don’t treat it properly, it can cause severe water damage in your home. A broken pipe underneath your foundation will need to be repaired immediately to save your home from even more damage.
Can A Slab Leak Be Fixed?
Yes, you can fix a slab leak. The initial way to fix one is by jackhammering through the concrete slab, digging down to the pipe, and replacing the broken part of the pipe with a new piece of pipe. There are other alternative ways to fix a one like completely rerouting the line through the attic, dig a tunnel underneath the house until you get to where the leak is, or run a new line through the old line.
How Long Can This Leak Go Undetected?
A slab leak can go undetected for weeks, sometimes months. These types of leaks start off without you even noticing at first, until they have done so much damage to the point where you can obviously notice. That’s why paying attention to changes in your water bill and water pressure can be important to catching them sooner than later.
It’s also important to note that these leaks can easily cause mold. This is another reason why detecting them earlier than usual can be beneficial.
How Common is a Slab Leak?
The leading cause is from expansive soils. Around 25% of homes in the United States experience these because of expansive soils. Expansive soils are happen by the amount of water volume in the soils which causes it to expand.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, slab leaks can cause water damage and mold in your home. The extensive damage that is caused by these leaks will most likely result in an entire pipe repair and water damage restoration. Being aware of the signs and how you most commonly detect them could save you a ton of money in the long run.
Call 1-Tom-Plumber
Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need any plumbing, drain cleaning, or excavation service. 1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem.
We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.
