In areas where the soil is unstable, slab leaks are common. Basement walls can crack and break due to shifting soils, so homes are built on concrete slabs or pier and beam construction.
Plumbing joints can leak, or pipes crack beneath a slab, resulting in one of the most severe problems you could imagine – a slab leak.
When water runs under a house, it erodes the soil, reducing the slab’s support and increasing its strain. Leading to cracks ranging from a hairline width to an inch or more. Then water can enter your home.
You may experience severe water damage to the flooring, walls, furniture, appliances, and more. The problem is that fixing a leak beneath tons of concrete is no simple task. It is not a DIY plumbing job, or you can reach a Slab Leak Detection technician to solve your problems.
The Slab Leak: What Is It?
It is appropriate to note that leaks differ in size, magnitude, and cause. One of the more common types of plumbing leaks at home is slab leaks, and many of these leaks occur along the copper water lines in your foundation.
Copper lines run beneath the concrete foundation of your home and are usually concealed. When slab leaks occur, it’s possible to see signs of a potential problem.
Property damage from water is the most common cause in the world. You can minimize losses by detecting potential leaks in real-time.
Factors contributing to slab leaks
● Copper pipes:
Copper pipes are commonly found in an older home’s plumbing system.
Soft material like this bends easily, leading to leaks and weakening of the pipe.
● Improperly installed pipes:
Water leaks can occur if the pipes are damaged during installation.
● Water quality:
Too hard water or soft water can damage pipes. Hard water can cause corrosion of your pipes because of mineral deposits. The problem with soft water is pulling in minerals as it flows through your pipes.
Some of the following signs may show a slab leak:
1. Having puddles in your yard:
You can easily detect a slab leak by checking your patio for puddles. If you have a concrete patio in your home, wet spots are a warning sign you cannot ignore. The concrete slabs can leak, causing seepage on the attached deck if there is a slab leak.
The presence of wet spots and puddles should show a severe issue. If not addressed as soon as possible, these pools may eventually damage your patio, which will cost you money. A plumbing specialist can help you before it is too late if such signs are intermittent.
2. Watch out for water leaking from walls and cabinets:
It is difficult to detect a slab leak because water can drain to the least likely places, and a lack of a flow path causes this kind of water in these unlikely places. You may have a slab leak in your home if you see water coming from walls or under cabinets.
A leak of this type is expected if the water has no other outlet for drainage. It would be helpful to call in an experienced Slab Leak Repair professional to assess the situation and suggest a course of action. A DIY option is not recommended in such a critical matter.
3. Take a look at your water bill:
The water bill you receive each month may be the most reliable indicator of a slab leak. When looking for a water leak under concrete, you may only need to pay attention to your home’s water consumption patterns. More water may be leaking somewhere if you notice significant discrepancies in your bill.
You should consider specialized attention if your average water usage has changed relatively over a specific period.
Early intervention is essential to reducing the negative impacts of a full-blown slab leak.
4. Pay attention to hot spots on the floor:
In the event of a slab leak, hot spots may appear on the floor, primarily if the leak stems from hot water pipes. Consider walking barefoot once in a while around your house to get the feel of the floor. There may be a slab leak if you observe hot spots on multiple occasions.
Water may seep through the foundation slab if you have leaks in your hot water pipes. When you feel such constant warmth on your floor, it could be a sign of a slab leak. You should take timely action if you discover hot water leaks since they are more apparent than cold water leaks.
5. Low water pressure can show a slab leak:
The best way to detect possible slab leaks in your home is to apply pressure. Since you have used your plumbing fixtures for a long time, you are familiar with the maximum pressure. With a significant drop in water pressure at home, you can quickly determine the underlying cause.
Various factors can also contribute to low water pressure.
The most common cause of leaks is that water no longer flows straight. The good news is our Slab Leak Detection experts are always ready to provide the necessary repairs in such situations.
The most common causes of slab leaks:
You may wonder how water lines hidden beneath the concrete foundation are susceptible to leaks. A slab leak may occur for several reasons. Corrosion is the most common cause of slab leaks, and the pipes may rust if they are exposed to excessive amounts of flux residue.
You may also experience abrasion on your water line due to fast-moving water and air bubbles caused by high pressure. Corrosion and abrasion eventually cause the pipes that ultimately cause slab leaks.
Slab Leak specialists can clean, grease, and seal the copper pipes to avoid further damage to resolve such concerns.
In unchecked slab leaks, significant damages can occur, and your finances can be affected.
Once you understand slab leaks and their causes, it’s time to take action. This list of five signs can help you determine whether or not your home is experiencing slab leaks. When you notice that you are experiencing one or more of these tell-tale signs at home, you should consult Slab Leak Detection authorities immediately.
Author Bio:- Karl Brown
Karl, a marketing manager at EZ Leak Detection, loves to write about plumbing and HVAC services to make the life of the reader easier. Leakages in your property can be dangerous but not all the leaks are easily accessible. He has given extensive information about water leaks and slab leaks and tips to detect them quickly along with quick solutions to prevent you from inconveniences and health hazards.
Leakage problems and malfunction of appliances demand comprehensive solutions. Also, regular maintenance is not the thing to be missed for leading a life with zero hassles. Read our recent post related to leakage detection and repair, alerts for HVAC shutdown and how to repair it, and installation of AC and water heater in San Diego.
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