The Quick and Dirty About Slab Leaks

The Important Things to Know about Slab Leaks

Slab leaks can be a very big deal if left over time, so it is equally important that homeowners know what to expect and what to look out for. Slab leaks often will cause extensive damage if they are not handled promptly and by professionals. The important things to do are understand slab leaks, recognize their signs, and how professionals can fix them to protect the home and ensure it can withstand the entire family. Read on to fully understand slab leaks and how to handle the unfortunate reality of a slab leak.

First Things First: What Is a Slab Leak?

A slab leak happens when there is a leak in the water pipes beneath the concrete foundation, often called the “slab” of the home. They can be caused by a variety of things, some of which might be:

Pipe Corrosion: As time passes, metal pipes beneath the home will corrode as the chemicals in the soil, water, and metal interact. These chemical reactions create corrosion, creating small holes and cracks that cause leaks.
Poor Construction: When pipes aren’t properly installed at the beginning, as the home is getting built, they can cause issues down the line, including more frequent leaks. This is especially true where poor-quality materials or shoddy craftsmanship are used.
Ground Shifting: The ground is always moving. Some natural ground will shift underneath the home due to things outside human control, like soil expansion or contraction, earthquakes, tremors, or other geological factors. These natural phenomena can put more pressure on the pipes and even make them crack or break.
Abrasion: Continuous friction between pipes and the concrete or rocks surrounding them can wear the pipe material over time, potentially causing leaks.

What to Look Out for With Slab Leaks and Why You Need to Be On Top of It

Early detection is the name of the game regarding slab leaks. The earlier the detection, the more extensive damage is prevented and the less likely it is to wreak havoc on the home. Some common things to be looking out for as a homeowner are:

Unusually High Water Bills: If there have been no new overnight guests or increased dog baths but a sudden increase in water bills, it could indicate a hidden leak.
Damp or Wet Floors: If there is water or dewiness on the floor, but nothing in the house could cause the apparent pool, it might be due to a slab leak.
Low Water Pressure: When water escapes from water fixtures, less water is left, and less pressure builds up to push the water through the pipes in the switched-on fixture. If this happens in the home, it’s good to check it out to see if there could be a leak.
Warm Spots on the Floor: When a hot water line leaks, hot water can be sent throughout the house, meaning parts of the floor might be unexpectedly warm.
Sound of Running Water: Hearing water running or dripping when all taps are turned off could indicate a possible slab leak as the water continues to flow.

However, slab leaks mean more than a bad spot for the environment and higher water bills. If left, slab leaks can cause significant damage to the home, including:

Foundation Damage: Continuous water leakage will erode the soil beneath the home, making foundation cracks and structural instability more likely.
Mold and Mildew Growth: The moisture from the leaks will likely become a great growing spot for mold and mildew, which can have bigger-picture health implications for the family.
Flooring Damage: Water left unattended underneath the home will begin to move upwards, meaning that the floors might need to be completely renovated.
Increased Repair Costs: When the slab leak grows, so do the damages. The longer they’re left unattended, the more expensive it will be to fix everything.

Plumbing Professionals Will Be the Heroes of This Story

slab leak detection Addressing slab leaks requires special attention and experience, meaning that professional expertise and specialized equipment will be necessary to handle the situation completely. Here’s what professionals can do to detect and repair slab leaks:

Leak Detection: Plumbing professionals have advanced technology, such as electronic listening devices and thermal imaging, and they can perform pressure testing to locate the leak accurately without causing unnecessary damage to the home or its foundation.
Pipe Repair or Replacement: If the leak is really bad, the affected section of the piping might need to be repaired or even replaced. This could involve accessing the pipe through the impacted slab. Professionals can do this by tunneling underneath the foundation or breaking through the concrete of the foundation.
Epoxy Pipe Coating: For less severe leaks, professionals could use epoxy pipe coating to seal the leak without requiring extensive excavation. The process involves coating the inside of the pipe with epoxy, which seals any cracks or holes.
Re-Routing Pipes: If the plumbing system is severely damaged or is very old, plumbing professionals could re-route the pipes above the slab, preventing future leaks and making it easier to make repairs in the long term.

About Total Comfort Solutions

With on-time service and straightforward pricing, Total Comfort Solutions is the obvious choice for plumbing needs in the Walla Walla Valley. They offer worry-free service with prompt, on-time service. Call Total Comfort Solutions today for plumbing needs in and around the Walla Walla Valley in Washington.

Distribution Links +

“Just recently had our final parts come in to complete the install of our mini split heating/cooling system.

Mark Allen has been great from the beginning, he helped us figure out the most cost-effective heating for our home would be, was upfront about costs and warned us of future costs that may pop up (which wasn’t a concern), has always been available to contact, and has gone above and beyond by making arrangements to get us temporary heat in our home during a product shortage.

Installation was quick and easy, the installers were very friendly and accommodating according to some of our needs concerning our cats and dogs. After installation, the inspector even ordered a new fan for one of our outdoor units and replaced it promptly. This company truly knows how to take care of their customers.”