How to Identify and Repair a Slab Leak

Ways to Troubleshoot and Test Potential Slab Leak Problems

A slab leak is a serious threat not only to your home plumbing system but to the foundation and structure of your home as well. Recognizing the signs of a possible slab leak can help you address the problem immediately, saving your plumbing system and your home in the process.
A plumbing leak that runs beneath your home is not something that you can easily see or notice. This is why it is important to know what to do.
If ignored, a slab leak has the potential to damage the foundation of your home, and create tons of problems that may require a lot of money to repair, aside from the hassle it brings.
By learning how to spot slab leak signs, and understanding the required restoration and repair process, you save your home and make sure that your plumbing system remains in tip-top condition.

What Are Slab Leaks?

The copper water lines in your home run under the house’s foundation. Over time, the lines can develop leaks. This will result in various problems for your home’s foundation and yard.
Slab leaks may be found anywhere under the foundation. If there are pipes in the area, leaks are possible.
Slab leaks can happen on both the side of the drainage and your plumbing’s incoming side. If left alone and unchecked, slab leaks can result in a shifting, sagging, or complete collapse of your foundation.
A slab leak can cause extensive damage. Thus, it is important that the leak is detected and repaired as early as possible.

Signs of a Slab Leak in Your Home

When you see any of the warning signs listed below, it is best that you call an experienced and competent plumbing company like Spartan Plumbing right away. This way, a proper diagnosis can be made, and immediate repair can be done, preventing further damage from happening.

• Rising Water Bills – If your water bills continue to rise despite normal water consumption, and you don’t notice any water dripping or overflowing in your home, the culprit could be a slab leak.
• Running Water Sound – If you aren’t using the dishwasher or washer or taking a shower, yet you hear running water somewhere, then it could be a leak. Also, if you notice your water meter moving even if you are not using water, this is a good sign that you may have a slab leak.
• Musty Smell or Mildew – A musty smell, mildew, or moisture that you can’t pinpoint may be an indication of a slab leak problem.
• Low Water Pressure – If you notice a drop in your water pressure, a leak in one of the pipes underground may be to blame.
• Wet, Soggy Yard – A wet yard or the presence of standing water in the yard when it hasn’t rained could mean that the water is flowing from somewhere underneath the ground. An investigation is necessary.

The Slab Leak Repair Process

Proper diagnosis and repair of a slab leak is, ideally, not a DIY task. The process requires both plumbing expertise and specialty tools. If you are experiencing a slab leak, you must call a plumbing expert right away. A professional uses a variety of proven methods in reaching the affected pipes safely and knows the necessary steps to fix the problem.
It is not recommended to cut into the foundation of your home to gain access to the leaking pipe. This may only result in more damage. Spartan Plumbing uses advanced, specialized tools to safely reach the leak so the issue can be addressed without disrupting the rest of your home’s plumbing system. Once the problem is identified, the technician will remove the affected pipe and replace it. The disrupted ground will be fixed if it was affected during the slab leak repair.
The post How to Identify and Repair a Slab Leak is courtesy of SpartanPlumbing
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6211 E Speedway Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85712
(520) 617-1000
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