Warning Signs That You Have A Slab Leak

Introduction:

Leaks might happen in the home from time to time. Even the most cautious homeowner might be taken advantage of. Fortunately, many of the most common leaks occur in places that are quite easy to reach, such as beneath a sink, shower, or toilet. These leaks are simple to detect and can be repaired with modest home plumbing equipment. But the same cannot be said about slab leaks.

What is a Slab Leak?

What exactly is a slab leak?

Most homeowners are unaware of the pipes under their home’s slab foundation. When these pipes start leaking, they remain unidentified until some type of water damage occurs, indicating a slab leak.

Aside from water wastage, the leak might harm the concrete and deteriorate the soil surrounding it. The best way to avoid slab problems is to get a slab plumbing inspection done every year by a slab leak specialist from a reputed slab leak detection company in Irvine.

Slab Leaks: How common are they?

Slab leaks are common in earthquake-prone places like California, where shifting topography puts huge pressure on pipelines, increasing the chance of shear or cracking. Slab leaks are also more common in older homes owing to corroding copper pipes or aging sewer systems.

Many slab leaks may go completely undetected for a long time. Homeowners contact a slab leak repair company in Irvine if they find unusually high water bills despite average or controlled water consumption.

Most homeowners will investigate all frequent suspects in water leak issues, such as faucets, toilets, showers, and hoses in and around the house, to see whether a leak can be found. If nothing is found but you suspect a sound of running water somewhere and are getting higher water bills, you should avail of slab leak detection services in Irvine.

Slab Foundation Leak Warning Signs:

Water Bill Increase:

If your water bill suddenly increases without an increase in the basic cost of service or water use by your home, this is usually an early sign of a serious leak.

Warmth On the Floor:

If the leak is coming from a hot water pipe in your home, you may be able to locate it by looking for unusually warm places on your floor. This may be a straightforward task if you have a carpeted or very thin linoleum floor.

This may be more difficult on a tile floor unless the leak is large enough to enable water to penetrate between the glue and the tiles. In this case, further signs of water damage in your tile flooring may arise. Hardwood flooring may also aid with the problem of detecting a warm spot on the floor.

Raised “Dome” On the Floor:

If the leak is severe enough and lasts long enough, you may see damage to your flooring in the shape of warps in the floor’s contour. The formation of a “dome,” or raised zone on the floor, is a common occurrence in cases of severe water damage. While the presence of a dome on your floor may assist you in determining the location of the leak, it also indicates considerable water damage.

Foundation Heaving:

If your foundation slab swells excessively, the building may rise somewhat. This is referred to as heaving. If your home has moved as a consequence of a leak under the slab foundation, you must get professional assistance to repair it. A sudden, significant displacement of a building’s foundation may cause substantial, perhaps irreparable, damage to the structure.

Cracks on the interior and exterior walls, as well as the slab itself, may indicate this damage. Because foundation settling may show identical damage symptoms, it is critical to seek the assistance of a repair professional who can identify the difference. By consulting with a slab leak specialist, you can come to know about the exact causes and locations of a slab leak.

Equipment for Detecting Slab Leaks

If the methods described above fail to identify a leak, it may be necessary to choose slab leak detection services in Irvine. Professional plumbers would often remove water from a building’s water pipes before pumping in air to detect breaches. A plumber would often use specialized sound equipment to pinpoint the exact location of a leak.

How to Repair a Slab Leak?

How do you repair your slab leak now that you’ve found it? This technique will be time-consuming, messy, and often pricey for the average person. Professional plumbing service is HIGHLY recommended since a variety of complications may arise during the repair that the average DIY homeowner cannot handle.

Be certain about the Leak’s Location:

Before you even consider removing your concrete slab, you must first determine the location of the leak. If you have any doubts, don’t start ruining your property by how to fix a slab leak. Before you begin tearing up your floor, you must first identify the source of the leak.

Prepare for Dangerous Situations:

Before you begin breaking up your floor, make sure you have removed all of the furniture from the room. The removal of any furniture, artwork, rugs, electronics, or valuables from the room is covered. Because there will be a lot of dust particles floating throughout the room during this operation, the best way to protect your belongings is to remove them from the area where you will be making repairs.

It is also suggested to wear gloves, goggles, a breathing mask, heavy-duty gear, and steel-toed boots. If possible, have a second person help you who is also equipped with safety equipment.

Use the Proper Equipment:

If you have a jackhammer, use it to help you reach the area under the slab so you can do the repair. Do not attempt to use this very dangerous heavy-duty power tool if you lack knowledge and training in its usage. An untrained jackhammer operator may cause significant bodily harm to both the operator and innocent bystanders. Furthermore, during slab foundation excavation, you may inadvertently cause further damage to your home’s foundation or pipes.

As a result, getting skilled assistance is critical. After successfully digging and discovering the source of the leak, you may begin repairing your under-the-slab pipes. However, if the leak is from a sewage line, you should seek a professional plumber in Orange County to handle the potentially biologically hazardous waste products involved in sewage disposal and repair.

Conclusion:

To learn more about identifying, repairing, and cleaning up after a big leak in your home, call a Slab Leak Detection Service in Irvine. It is almost always preferable to delegate the work to a professional from the outset. We have dealt with home plumbing issues such as slab leaks in the Irvine area at EZ Leak Detection for years now. Whether we’re cleaning a clogged sink or replacing a sewer line under your home’s foundation, our fully licensed and insured team is committed to providing exceptional service to our customers.