How To Find A Slab Leak

When a pipe begins to leak under the concrete foundation of a slab house, the leak is called a slab leak. This type of leak is not only very challenging to locate, but it can also result in devastating damage to the foundation and entire house. It is also worth noting that slab leaks can occur in both supply lines and drain pipes. And both hold the potential to do a great deal of damage. So it is vital to locate any slab leak quickly and repair it to limit the long-term damage to the foundation.

Signs Of A Slab Leak

Some of the symptoms of a slab leak are similar to any water leak around your home. You might hear the sound of running water, dripping, or even find that the water pressure throughout your home has dropped. If the leak is of considerable size, you might also find that your water bill has increased dramatically. But these are all indications of almost any type of leak around the house. The clues that are unique to a slab leak include:

• A warm spot on the floor
• Damp or wet carpet
• Heaved wood flooring
• Peeling linoleum
• Cracking tile flooring
• Mold or mildew on or under your floor covering
• Cracking or damage to the foundation that is visible from the exterior of your home
• Moist soil around your foundation
• Soil washouts near your foundation

Finding The Slab Leak

Most homeowners can’t locate a slab leak on their own. At A Better Plumber, our leak detection specialists are all licensed plumbers who have additional training to operate the latest in leak detection technology effectively. In the past, leak detection was done with a sledgehammer and created massive damage to your home and floors. Fortunately, that is no longer the case.

Our pros start by testing to be sure that there is a water leak somewhere in your supply lines. If there is a leak, they begin by isolating the different pipes to narrow down the search. And finally, they pull out the technology to zero in on the location more precisely. Sound amplification tools can almost always guide our pros right to the leak. We also employ cameras that allow us to detect even a slight change in the temperature of your floors to locate the leak. These techniques eliminate the need to cut multiple holes in the foundation, as was the process in years past.

Options To Repair A Slab Leak

Of course, you are interested in locating the slab leak. But every homeowner’s greatest concern is how the leak is going to be fixed. After all, the damaged pipe is lying under several inches of concrete and cannot be easily accessed. But a skilled leak detection specialist also has a few repair tricks up his or her sleeve.

• Digging For The Exterior- When the leak is near the edge of the foundation, it is sometimes possible to dig under the foundation to access the pipe and make the repair. Then the soil is replaced and compacted to provide stability for the foundation.
• Repiping- In some cases, it is more cost-effective to cap and abandon the leaking pipe and replace it with a new pipe. The new pipe can be routed through the attic, floors, and walls of your home to resupply the room or rooms that were once supplied by the leaking pipe. This process not only solves the issue of the leak but ensures that the same pipe will never develop another slab leak under your home.
• Cutting The Foundation- In newer homes, it is often best to cut a small access hole in the floor and foundation to repair the leaking pipe. As long as the piping is relatively new, this is a very cost-effective repair method. After the repair is completed and the pipe is pressure tested, the foundation and floor are patched, and there is no long term risk or damage to the structural integrity of your home.
• Pipe Coating- This solution is used when there is no other cost-effective or straightforward way to access the leaking pipe. Epoxy resin is injected into the leaking pipe and then allowed to dry. The resin coats the inside of the pipe and creates a cost-effective repair.

If you have noticed any of the signs of a slab leak in your home, a fast call to (301) 278-8786 is the best way to protect your home and reduce the possibility of a substantial repair bill. The leak detection pros from A Better Plumber have years of experience locating leaks quickly and providing as many cost-effective repair options as possible. And we offer 24/7 service so that you are not forced to worry for hours or days about damage to your home’s foundation, your floors, or your belongings.