Slab leaks are particularly troubling. They can often go undetected until they have caused a significant amount of damage. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to catch these leaks before they go too far. Keep reading to learn the signs that it is time to schedule slab leak repair for your Plano home.
What Is a Slab Leak?
The word slab refers to a flat, concrete foundation found under some homes. If your home has a slab foundation, water and sewer lines may lie just below the concrete. If those pipes rupture, you have a slab leak.
What Causes Slab Leaks
Several things can cause slab leaks. These include the following:
- Pipe corrosion
- Friction from concrete or rebar
- Pressure resulting from ground settling or shifting
Remember that soil weight and density can vary from place to place in Plano. Pipes that last for decades in one area may crack under the pressure of surrounding dirt in others, leading to an urgent need for slab leak repair.
How Urgent Is Slab Leak Repair?
If you, or your plumber, notice a slab leak, you must immediately take action. The potential for damage is significant. You should also assume that the leak occurred for at least some time before you found it.
Slab leaks can lead to the following home-related problems:
- Mold
- Electrical system damage
- Rotting floor joists
- Soil erosion
Without early detection and slab leak repair, you could be dealing with significant damage.
How Do Plumbers Detect Slab Leaks in Plano Homes?
Today, there are all kinds of helpful technologies to help plumbers see—and sometimes even hear—leaks below your slab foundation. Your plumber might use helium detection, ultrasonic detection, infrared technology, or sonar to discover a leak.
It’s great that these technologies are available. Unfortunately, they are often not deployed until it’s clear that something is wrong.
Signs of Slab Leaks for Homeowners
Fortunately, there are measures that homeowners can take to detect the need for slab leak repair. Remember that the sooner you can catch a leak, the better. Chances are, you will have to invest less money in repairing the leak and dealing with any residual damage.
Here are some signs that you are dealing with a slab leak:
- Unexplained wet spots on the ground around your home
- Warm places on your floor
- Excess moisture, especially in your basement
- Mold or mildew
If you notice any of these things, contact a licensed plumber in Plano. They will come out to assess the situation for you. Then, they will recommend the best process for slab leak repair. Remember that it’s always helpful to take regular walks around your property to see if anything seems off. You never know what problem you might catch early.
Can Slab Leaks Be Prevented?
There is no slab leak prevention method that’s 100% effective. Still, there are things you can do that can reduce your risk of a slab leak.
First, keep in mind that you can best avoid slab leak repair if your home was properly constructed and maintains good structural integrity. If you are lucky enough to be involved in the construction of your home, insist that a reputable company in Plano handles the plumbing. They will assess the ground and other factors to determine the materials and processes that will best assure that no pipes rupture in the future.
As a homeowner, there are other precautions you can take. First, avoid using chemical drain cleaners. They are harsh and caustic, and they can cause damage to sewer pipes. They’re also largely ineffective. Another way to prevent slab leaks is to avoid using high water pressure. Finally, buildup from hard water can cause issues with your pipes. Consider a solution to mitigate that before damage occurs.
What to Expect From Slab Leak Repair
If your home does have a slab leak, you may be pretty worried—and reasonably so. Any issue relating to your home’s foundation is always concerning. Fortunately, qualified plumbing services can help you with slab leak repair.
Remember that every situation is different, but below, we’ve listed some of what you can expect during the slab leak repair process.
Slab Leak Detection
Your plumber will come to your home and listen carefully as you describe the symptoms you’ve noticed. They will have specialized equipment, as mentioned above, that will allow them to determine that there is a leak. This equipment will help them pinpoint the leak’s exact location. When they have finished looking, your plumber will know exactly where the leak is and have some suggestions for repairing it.
Assessment and Advice
Before they do anything, your plumber will need your consent. They will explain what they found, provide you with all of your possible options, and give you a price estimate. At this point, it’s up to you to decide what you want to do.
Slab Leak Repair
There are a few ways to repair a slab leak. If it is a single leaking pipe, your plumber may recommend repairing it. However, if your pipes are old or have other issues, repair may not be the best idea. Repairing a leak may work for a while, but a new leak is likely to crop up.
Your second option is to have your plumber reroute the plumbing to bypass the ruptured pipes. They will essentially add new sewer or water pipes that will go around the broken ones. Your plumber will cap off the broken one to prevent any water or sewage from flowing through them.
Finally, if there is significant damage or the pipes are in poor condition, replacement is the only real option. Your plumber will remove the existing pipes and replace them with newer lines made of modern materials.
Where to Find Plumbing Repair Near Me
If you need help with a slab leak, Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning can help! We are your source in Plano for all types of plumbing repair. Contact us, and we will send a qualified plumber right away.