Slab Leaks: How To Spot Them And How To Fix Them

Everyone worries about how solid their home is. Many people hire an inspector to come out and check the home’s foundation and structure before deciding to purchase the home.  Nobody wants to have to deal with problems concerning the foundation of the home or the slab on which it was built. However, no matter how cautious a homebuyer is in the beginning, sometimes problems arise with the house and among those problems are slab leaks. That why it wise to account maintenance to the equation, so when a problem, like a slab leak occur, you have the resource to fix it. A slab leak is caused by leaking pipes beneath the concrete of the home’s foundation and if not fixed can cause serious damage to that foundation. 

This type of leak is unique in that it does not come from the visible pipes within the home. If the bathroom sink were leaking, the puddle under the cabinet would be an indication to the homeowner of the problem. However, since the pipes that are leaking in this case are not visible, there are other signs people must be aware of and in which to watch. It is not often easy to spot this kind of issue but one of the most obvious observations is wet carpet or flooring. If moist spot are suddenly appearing that is the first indication of an issue below the floor. For the money conscious person, another way to spot a leak is an increase in the normal water bill. If there is a significant increase in the bill, a red flag should be raised.  Other indications of a problem include low water pressure, foundation settling, and water coming through the foundation. Although none of these are sure ways to know if there is a leak, these are things to be on the lookout for.

Once it has been established that there is, in fact, a leak it is time to begin looking in to how to go about repairing the leak and the damage caused during the leak. Slab leak repair is not a cheap job. It requires cutting the concrete slab or rerouting the plumbing and neither of these are easy or inexpensive jobs. This is especially true with homes that do not have basements or crawl spaces, because this means it is even more difficult to get to. It is recommended to contact a plumber when the issue is first discovered and although step-by-step instructions can be found on how to repair the leak it not recommended that a homeowner undertake this job himself unless he has adequate plumbing experience.

However, there are steps, as the owner of the house; a person can take in order to be ready for the plumber’s arrival. The first step is to find the exact location where water is coming into the home. This can be done by simply walking about inside with no shoes. Once the leak has been located, make note of its location. If the area is carpeted, the carpet will have to be removed in order to get to the pipe. This can also be done prior to the arrival of the repairman.  Once the plumber arrives, he will be able to explain if the pipe can simply be replaced or if the entire plumbing system needs to be rerouted. It is often a good idea to get a second opinion on such a large job, and it is also a good idea to get several estimates on the work that must be done to ensure the best deal is being given. However, the most important thing to remember is to make sure the work is done properly. After all, if it is not fixed correctly the problem with arise again and the homeowner will be back where he started with nothing to show for it.