One of the most important parts of a house is the foundation. There are several factors that determine how builders will construct a home’s foundation. Some of those factors include local soil conditions as well as projected cost and efficiency. Slab foundations became popular because they allow builders to construct housing developments faster to meet high demand for housing. Under certain conditions, a slab foundation may leak. If you suspect your slab foundation may be leaking, you should immediately contact a plumbing contractor. The licensed plumbers at Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric are available to inspect and repair slab leaks.
Signs of a Slab Leak
You don’t have to be a professional to detect the signs of a slab leak. Some symptoms of a slab leak are more subtle, while others are very difficult to ignore. Contact our team if you notice any of the following symptoms of a larger problem with your plumbing.
Unexplained Increase in Your Water Bill
When a house has a slab leak, the water runs 24/7. If you have a leak, you will likely notice a sudden, lasting spike in your water bill. The amount of the increase in water consumption depends on the size of the leak.
Unusually Warm Spots on Your Floor
A slab leak that occurs in the hot water line will affect your home’s energy consumption. Hot water leaks create an increase in demand for heated water. In addition to having a nonstop leak, your hot water tank would also work 24/7 to warm the water before it moves into the leaking pipe. A leak in the hot water line will cause parts of the floor to be warm or hot. You are more likely to notice hot spots if you have linoleum, hardwood, laminate, or other types of hard flooring.
Damaged Flooring
Severe slab leaks can damage your home’s flooring. Hard flooring surfaces will have a warped appearance, while carpet will seem to always be wet or damp.
An Unexplained Reduction in Water Pressure
A slab leak will generally reduce the amount of water you have flowing through the pipes inside your house. You may notice a sudden loss in water pressure when washing your hands, taking a shower, or washing dishes.
The Appearance of a Pool of Water
Though not in every situation, slab leaks will sometimes cause water to noticeably pool inside or outside of your house. The water will most likely appear on the ground floor of your home near a plumbing fixture.
Signs of Mold or Mildew
When moisture accumulates in places with inadequate ventilation, mold and mildew may grow on nearby surfaces. In the case of a slab leak, that would most likely be under your floors. You may smell a dank, stale, musty, or earthy odor before you’re able to see the problem. If left to linger, mold growth can damage your home’s floors and other surfaces. Certain types of mold can be hazardous to your health if the spores become airborne.
Causes of Slab Leaks
A slab leak is any leak, whether small or large, that occurs in a pipe that runs inside or underneath your home’s foundation. The leak may seem insignificant at first, especially if it doesn’t disrupt any aspect of your lifestyle or comfort level in your home. If left uncorrected, the leak may cause serious structural issues. The soil under your house’s foundation can soften and cause sinking. On the interior, you may notice that your floors have become uneven.
Slab leaks have many potential causes, some of which include:
- Construction errors
- Poor quality materials
- Shifting soil
- Water quality issues
- Time
- Abrasion
Construction Errors
A slab leak is more likely to occur if a contractor installed a pipe incorrectly or if damage occurs to the pipe during installation. Because copper pipes are softer, they can corrode more easily or become bent, kinked, or dented during the construction process. The use of low-quality materials can also make a home more susceptible to slab leaks. If your home is older, you may be more likely to need to have one or more pipes replaced to remedy a slab leak.
Shifting Soil
Any movement in the soil under your house can cause the foundation to move and put pressure on your pipes. Earthquakes, groundwater, and erosion are the primary culprits of water leaks caused by shifting soil. These types of leaks can cause damage quickly if they are not repaired quickly.
Time
The older a home is, the greater the risk of a slab leak. Older homes are more likely to have copper or galvanized pipes, which are especially susceptible to leaks over time. Pipes in an older home are also more likely to have corrosion and to have been under stress for longer periods.
Abrasion
Abrasion occurs when a pipe rubs against another hard surface like gravel, concrete, or nearby pipes. Friction can cause the surface of the pipe to wear down and ultimately cause the pipe to leak. Because heat causes pipes that carry hot water to expand and rub against other surfaces, hot water pipes are more likely to leak due to abrasion.
Repairing a Slab Leak
The first step toward repairing a slab leak is to identify the location of the leak and determine the nature and extent of the problem. Slab leak repair is best left to a licensed professional plumber. Depending on the nature of the leak, a plumber may recommend repairing the leak with epoxy, rerouting the pipe to avoid friction and obstructions, or replacing the damaged pipe.
Some cases may require breaking the slab with a jackhammer to access the source of the leak. Although breaking the slab is sometimes unavoidable, the process is more extensive and costly. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t let the idea of breaking your slab foundation deter you from contacting a plumber. Oftentimes, a plumbing contractor can avoid breaking the slab by digging a pit adjacent to the leak. After digging the pit, the plumber can access the source of the leak by tunneling underneath the pipe. Only a licensed plumber is qualified to evaluate a slab leak and fix the problem appropriately.
Slab Repair in Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston
If you notice signs of a slab leak, call a plumber immediately to identify the source of the problem. We’ll work diligently to give you peace of mind by providing service you can count on in a timely manner. We provide leak detection, burst pipe repair, and water filtration and softening services to address damage caused by a slab leak.
Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric has served communities in DFW and Houston for more than 10 years. As a family-owned and family-operated business, we bring professional warmth and courtesy to every service we provide. Our aim is to make your experience with us positively memorable so you will continue to call on us for all of your plumbing maintenance, repairs, and upgrades.
Don’t let a potential slab leak go unattended. Call us to schedule a consultation!
