Are you annoyed by the dampness of your carpet and floors or the low water pressure in the shower every time? Is your water bill ridiculously doubling, and you can’t do anything about it? Well, dear reader, there is a high possibility that you have a slab leak in your home.
What is a Slab Leak?
A slab leak happens when the pipes inside the home or passing pipes in the plumbing job begin to leak. Most times, when the pipes inside or beneath a home’s foundation begin to leak, it is known as a slab leak.
The name ‘slab leak’ is an industry term commonly used to describe any leak that comes from the foundation of a house and has developed through the copper water lines running below the house’s concrete. The pinhole leak is the opposite of this kind of leak that occurs below the ground.
While these leaks may appear minor at first, they can cause considerable damage and are very expensive to repair. Slab leaks can soak the soil beneath the home, causing the house’s flooring to be uneven and slowly lowering the structure into the earth if left unattended. It is important to understand the basic cause of slab leaks in order to avoid this problem for your home.
Over time, slab leaks will cause damage to hardwood floors, drywall, and cabinets if not fixed as soon as it is spotted.
What Causes Slab Leak?
In this section, we will extensively talk about the causes of a slab leak.
- Abrasion
It is in the nature of pipes to expand and contract as water passes through them. Depending on how your home was constructed, it can be a major cause of slab leaks in your home. If these pipes are exposed to gravel, concrete and have frequent contact with other pipes, this causes the pipes to wear out
- Pre-Damaged Pipe Installation & Poor Installation
This is most likely to occur if the pipes used are already damaged before use and not quickly detected. On the other hand, pipes installed incorrectly, in the long run, can result in a slab leak.
- Corrosion
Since these pipes are located beneath the ground, they will definitely come in contact with soil. The frequent contact of the pipes with the soil can quicken the process of corrosion. This is a common problem with pipes made with copper.
- Your Home Structure Is Old
Older homes suffer huge slab leak possibilities, and this is because older pipes are very vulnerable and weak. This is because these pipes have endured years beneath the ground, and they are due for replacement.
Signs You Might Just Have A Slab Leak
- Sudden low water pressure.
- Visible cracks on the walls.
- Presence of mold or moldy smell on the wall and floor fixtures.
- The water dial moves even when pipes are not in use.
- Water movement sounds when the pipes are not in use.
- Frequent moisture under the carpet.
Slab leaks are not always very obvious, so they can often go undetected and can lead to much more severe problems such as termites’ infestation and mold build-ups. It is advised to be thorough when checking for possible slab leaks.
How Often Do Slab Leaks Re-occur?
Basically, this is dependent on how long a building has been erected. Buildings erected on concrete slabs can have a recurring slab leak problem if not properly maintained.
How To Repair Slab Leaks
A slab leak can be repaired in several ways, depending on the condition of the pipes. Seeking the service of a professional plumber is a healthy start to fixing the problem. Based on the advice of the professionally qualified plumber, you will understand the best way and option to fix your leaking slab. Quick detection and emergent fixing should be taken seriously so it doesn’t result in more severe damage.
We hope we have been able to give you head start tips on what a slab leak is and how to fix it. It is always advisable to frequently examine your house plumbing by qualified professionals trained to fix slab leaks to avoid severe damage to your property.
For more plumbing tips, you can read more articles on the website.
