A dripping faucet, a broken pipe that leaks onto the floor of your home, or a water spigot outside that does not turn off are obvious water problems that need attention immediately. But how serious is a slab leak, and what should you do about it? If you have been told you have one, we highly recommend not putting off getting help for it and allowing our team at Plumbing by Jake to get the problem rectified as quickly as possible.
What Is a Slab Leak?
A slab leak is a type of leak that occurs in the pipes that run under the concrete foundation or slab of your home, which is typically the flooring in your basement. In some situations, this could be a very small drip, but in others, it can be the result of a very serious break in the line. The only way to know the condition is to have a professional inspect it for you.
When there is a slab leak occurring, and you do nothing about it, it is likely to worsen over time. More so, the longer that leak occurs, the more soil will erode and move away from the lines, causing more exposure and a bigger risk of plumbing failures. Over time, you will also notice your water bill increasing.
If you have a slab leak, you should have a professional take a better look at what could be causing it and what can be done to fix it. The key here is not to wait until it worsens to the point where the overall condition of your foundation is at risk (as that is a much bigger problem to fix). Instead, give us a call so we can provide some solutions now.
What Causes a Slab Leak?
A number of factors can cause a slab leak, though it is often caused by shifting of ground under the foundation of the home. Shifting ground is natural and normal, but when it happens too often or at a high level, it can cause serious damage to your home’s foundation stability. That, too, is a big problem that is more expensive to fix.
There are other causes of slab leaks as well, including mistakes during the building of your home that create an unstable structure and friction, which can occur when concrete rubs against the home’s pipes over time, wearing them down. This can happen due to a failure to put enough material between pipes and the foundation itself. Other times, this problem occurs because the home is older and simply no longer as stable as it used to be.
Movement of the weather and water corrosion are some of the most common causes of slab leaks developing over time. Earthquakes can occur, but at other times, the way the land moves is due to the waterways underground being impacted by erosion. Other times, there are instances in which the pipes themselves corrode and wear down so much that they allow water to leak.
How to Know You Have Slab Leaks
The most important thing you can do if you have slab leaks is to recognize that they are occurring as soon as possible so you can take action to correct them. If you have wet flooring in the base level of your home or there is mold growth under the carpet, this is a common sign that you need to take action right away. Doing so is critical to protecting the health of your family.
Other signs that there may be a slab leak include the sound of water running under your home’s foundation or from under the carpeting in your home that is otherwise not explained and low water pressure. Some people also begin to notice that the amount of water they are using is increasing, and they are not using more of it. Also, note any hot spots on your floor that you have not noticed before, as that can also indicate a risk.
The only real way to know if a slab leak is to blame for any of these concerns, though, is to have a formal inspection by a licensed plumber. Our team will come to your home and look at all factors that could be impacting your plumbing system. If we suspect a slab leak, we will offer solutions to help you get it back in place.
So, Just How Bad Is a Plumbing Leak or Slab Leak Like This?
This question is hard to answer because it depends on a variety of factors occurring, including how significant the leak is as well as its location. First off, you should not ignore it as it will worsen over time and will make the problem harder to fix later. After our team comes for an inspection, we will have more direction to offer to you on how to repair this problem for good.
In some situations, it is possible to seal off the leak and stop the problem from occurring. Other times, we may need to open up the foundation where the leak is and make significant repairs. The ultimate goal here is to preserve the integrity of your home and minimize any further problems from an ongoing leak.
A bad slab leak will worsen the stability of the home, and over time, it can even cause the home to collapse. That is certainly not what we want to happen, which is why we have a number of additional solutions that may help. All you have to do is give our plumbing team a call.
Get the Help You Need Now to Fix a Slab Leak
Before you begin to worry about how serious a slab leak is, allow our plumbing team to come to you for a full inspection and estimate of the work that needs to be done. We will provide you with guidance on all available treatment options and then help you to get the right solution in place as quickly as possible. Call Plumbing by Jake now for a free, no-obligation consultation and estimate.
