What Is a Slab Leak?
A few different techniques can be implemented depending on the severity and location of the slab leak.
No matter the problem, the expert plumbers at Tom Moffett Plumbing can help you find the best solution. Our reliable plumbers proudly service Orange, CA, and surrounding communities.
To put it simply, a slab leak is a leak that occurs in the pressurized water pipes that run underneath the foundation of your house. These pipes are installed in homes that do not have a basement; the pipes are installed directly under the concrete foundation.Â
Slab leaks can happen if the outer casing of one of the water pipes becomes cracked, and the crack eventually bursts from the pressure. Slab leaks can also be caused by improper pipe installation because a pipe that is bent or not wrapped correctly will wear down faster.
Some common symptoms of a slab leak are:
- A higher than usual water bill
- Isolated warm spots on the floor
- Water running when it has been turned off
- Lowered water pressure
- Puddles of water accumulating near the foundation
- Damp spots on the floor or carpet
If you notice any of these things, you’re likely experiencing a slab leak.Â
How Do Professional Plumbers Repair Slab Leaks?
Have you ever wondered how slab leak repairs are made? There are a few different ways they can be done.
The method we use is dependent upon the severity of the slab leak that has occurred. For slab leaks that are relatively easy to access or fix, spot repairs are the most common method.
For more severe slab leaks, we might use:
- The jackhammering method
- The rerouting method
Regardless of the severity, our experts at Tom Moffett Plumbing know how to use each technique to stop the leak as quickly as possible.Â
Spot Repairs for Slab Leaks
If you only have a leak in one spot that the repairman can access relatively easily, spot repairs are the best way to fix the leak.
The repairman will go through the small piece of concrete and repair the small section quickly. However, while this is one of the more common techniques, it can be pricey. It requires a lot of digging, which means that you’ll have to pay to have your floor repaired afterward.
Additionally, this may only be a temporary fix. Repairing a leak in one section of the pipeline doesn’t prevent future leaks, and you’ll end up needing more leak repairs.
The Jackhammer Technique
This technique is usually a cost-effective way to fix a slab leak and saves the repairman time. To do this, we must first make sure that the location of the leak has been correctly identified. Otherwise, the slab will be destroyed for no reason and will have to be fixed, costing you more money and making a mess.
After identifying where the leak is, it’s pretty straightforward. A jackhammer, as the name suggests, is used to make multiple holes above the leak. The dirt and debris are removed until the leak is visible. Once this is done, the leak can be repaired adequately.
However, the jackhammer method is the most invasive there is for slab leak repair because it requires the technician to break through the flooring in your home. Additionally, this method only repairs one leak at a time, so if you are suffering from multiple slab leaks, this method won’t help much.Â
The Reroute Method
If you want to avoid the mess that comes along with the jackhammer method, there is also the reroute method.
What happens if you have a slab leak underneath your bathroom or kitchen? Removing your expensive appliances and fixtures will only cost you more time and money and is stressful, too. In this case, the reroute method is a good solution.
As the name suggests, the pipe is rerouted. First, the technician will identify which pipe in the system is leaking and where the ends of the pipe are above the slab. Next, the entire length of the old pipe system can be turned off and abandoned. The final step is to install a new line.
Even though this method does require sheetrock to be cut open in places, it does prevent any future leaks from occurring on the damaged pipeline – because it is no longer being used.
This saves you money on future repairs and gives you peace of mind knowing that you have a new and correctly installed pipeline.
Need A Plumber Near Orange, CA?
For cost-efficient and high-quality slab leak repair services, give Moffett Plumbing & Air a call. Our professional plumbers are ready to serve you whenever unexpected leaks strike. That’s right. We are happy to offer 24/7 emergency service to our customers, with no after-hours fees. That’s just one way in which our family-owned and operated business takes care of our valued customers. Whether you’re in Orange, or surrounding communities such as Mission Viejo, Dana Point, Anaheim, or Westminster, we’ve got you cared for. Not sure if Moffett Plumbing serves your community? Go ahead and give us a call! We’d be happy to help answer any questions you may have.