How to Detect and Repair Slab Leaks

What is a slab leak and why worry about it?

The slab foundation is the concrete foundation beneath your home. Incoming water pipes and outgoing sewer lines run underneath the slab foundation, and cracks or holes in underlying pipes cause water to leak under the foundation. This is called a slab leak, and it has the potential to cause extensive damage to the structure. To protect your home from serious water damage, it is essential to recognize warning signs that indicate the presence of a slab leak.

Why do slab leaks occur?

Homeowners face several repair jobs in the house, generally due to normal wear of building materials, but sometimes resulting from design flaws or poor execution of construction. Slab leaks can be caused by a number of factors. Sometimes a slab leak occurs because of slight nicks on pipes created in the building phase that then wear out and become cracks allowing water leakage. Hot water pipes are especially susceptible to slab leaks, since the pipes contract and expand with normal cooling and heating. The chemical content of water can also cause pipes to wear out prematurely; the harder the water the more likely a slab leak will occur, and the pH of the water is also an important factor. The foundation of the house can occasionally shift, pulling pipes apart and creating a slab leak. Another reason for slab leaks is the use of bad quality plumbing materials and poor craftsmanship during construction.

How to detect a slab leak?

Every homeowner should be aware of the signs that point to a possible slab leak in the foundation, and make sure proper action is taken to repair the slab leak. The following check list is a good tool for detecting slab leaks:

Significant increase in your water or electricity bill: if you notice that your water or electricity bill suddenly jumps, it may be due to a slab leak.
Visible wet or damp stains on carpet or flooring: a slab leak can sometimes reach the flooring, creating noticeable spots or stains.
Reduced water pressure: if you notice a decrease in water pressure, it may be caused by a slab leak.
Settling of the foundation: when an actual shifting of the home’s foundation is felt, a slab leak may have occurred.

How are slab leaks fixed?

Repairing a slab leak is a multi-step process and in most cases requires a skilled slab leak repair professional to successfully complete the task. The first step is to locate the exact spot of the slab leak underneath the foundation. Next, flooring or carpeting, including all furniture and fixtures need to be removed to allow access to the concrete foundation covering the slab leak. The concrete foundation, usually around 4 inches thick, is then drilled to expose the slab leak in the pipe. Once the slab leak is visible, the damaged pipes are fixed and the hole is again filled with concrete, after which all flooring or carpeting is replaced.

Why choose a full service company to repair a slab leak?

As explained above, slab leaks are not one of the simplest plumbing jobs because the process of fixing a slab leak requires making a hole to the concrete foundation before the slab leak can be repaired. Furthermore, selecting a reputable company to reliably finish the job is essential to ensure that the slab leak repair is completed with accuracy and professionalism to prevent future slab leaks.

Because of the complexity of slab leak issues, most companies only offer to fix the damaged piping causing the slab leak, forcing the homeowner to contact another service company to make a hole in the concrete, and subsequently close the hole. 1800 AnyTyme is a full service company that handles slab leak repairs from start to finish, down to the thorough clean-up of the site after the slab leak is repaired and the foundation is intact. This is to ensure that the homeowner receives the most efficient and least disruptive service and the damage caused by the slab leak is diminished.