The slab beneath your home is between 4” and 6” deep and is made of rebar-reinforced concrete. It’s built to support around 3,000 lbs per square inch. That sounds nearly indestructible, right?
Unfortunately, the weight of your home and all of its moving parts will begin to take a toll. Even a well-built foundation will become damaged over time. And in California, where earthquakes and plate shifting happen with some frequency, cracks and leaks happen faster than you might like.
At its best, a slab leak will leave you with increased energy bills. At its worst, it will leave you in need of a new foundation. In either scenario, it’s best to catch the problem quickly.
A Quick Explanation of What Leads to Slab Leaks
A slab leak is usually caused by one of two problems. Either you have a weak area in your plumbing system, or your home is built on shifting soil. Certain pipe materials are more susceptible to corrosion than others. That means your home is especially vulnerable to slab leaks if the pipes are made of:
- Cast iron
- Rigid copper
- Galvanized steel
Many plumbers today recommend plastic pipes. Why? Because plastic is resistant to corrosion and easy to replace.
But if you do have pipes made of iron, copper, or steel, don’t panic. Many homes in Orange, CA, run on these plumbing systems without a problem. There’s no need to search the web for “plumbers near me” until you notice the warning signs listed below.
1. Your Water Bill has Gone Up
Has your water bill skyrocketed over the last few months? If there isn’t an obvious culprit, it may be time to look under your concrete slab. A slab leak will cause water to run 24/7. When you know your water usage hasn’t changed, it’s obvious that the problem is a leak.
2. You Can Smell Mold or Mildew
A leaky slab will trap water under your floorboards. Over time, this will lead to a musty smell that can be attributed to mold or mildew. If the problem goes unchecked, you may even begin to visually observe mildew throughout the home. Basements, closets, and cupboards underneath sinks are some common areas to check.
3. Your Water Pressure Has Dropped
When water is lost through a crack or leak, it doesn’t make its way to your faucets. As a result, you’ll notice an obvious drop in water pressure. There are other causes of low water pressure, but if you see this symptom coupled with others on our list, you probably need slab leak repair.
4. Your Floors are Wet
Soggy carpets are enough to make anyone squeamish. But the problem is bigger than simple discomfort. If there is enough water leaking to soak your floors, there’s probably a lot more happening underneath. Be on the lookout for darkening carpet and warping wood floors.
5. You Notice “Hot Spots” Throughout Your Home
Oftentimes, slab leaks will occur along hot water lines. When there is a leak from a hot water line, it can cause the flooring above to become warm or even hot. If you are walking around barefoot and notice an area of flooring that is warmer than normal, it’s time to call a plumber.
Here’s What You Can Expect from a Slab Leak Repair
When there is a leak under your foundation, it can be hard to reach and resolve the problem. Fortunately, there are a few solutions.
First, a qualified plumber might try to dig a tunnel around the slab to reach the pipes. If that doesn’t work, it might be necessary to use a jackhammer to break through the slab and replace the weak plumbing. Sometimes, it’s even possible to run a new line to replace the leaky one without disrupting the slab at all.
In any case, slab leak repair is not easy. You don’t want to put your project in the hands of an unqualified team. For best results, call Moffett Plumbing & Air.
Call Us if You Have Questions About Slab Leak Repair
It will be impossible to say whether your slab is leaking until a plumber takes a look at the problem directly. Count on our team to evaluate your system and run tests to determine whether there is a leak and where it is coming from.
If you have any questions about slab leaks or plumbing repair, please don’t hesitate to call. As a family-owned business, we understand that plumbing disruptions are inconvenient and costly. We will do our best to take care of the problem quickly and affordably.