Slab leaks are one of the most common plumbing problems in home ownership and, if not addressed, can cost thousands of dollars in repairs. They’re also one of the most dangerous because they can cause serious damage to the foundation and other structural elements of your house.
Water bills can rise suddenly: and they’re often the first sign of a slab leak detection, so make sure to keep an eye on your bill. A quick call to a professional plumber is the best way to fix your problem, and they’ll take care of it quickly so you don’t have to deal with it any longer.
Low water pressure: another big indicator that you have a slab leak is if your shower or sinks are losing their usual level of water pressure suddenly, even when all faucets are shut off. This can be a huge waste of money because it means your pipes are leaking.
Slab leaks can be hard to spot: they can go unnoticed for years until they cause significant damage or require extensive plumbing repair. This is why it’s important to catch them early, and that’s where annual inspections with a licensed plumber come in handy.
If you notice puddles of water on the ground or on the floor around your house, this is an immediate warning that you have a leak. These are the result of water seeping up through cracks in your concrete slab. They’re usually located outside your house, but they can occur inside as well, especially in the kitchen and bathroom.
You may also notice a sudden increase in mold or mildew: again, this is an obvious sign of a slab leak that should be checked out by a professional plumber right away. The smell can be strong and odiferous, but it’s still worth checking out because this is an indicator of a more serious problem.
Slab leaks are often caused by corroded copper or deteriorated Northwest San Pedro sewer lines. This is because these pipes are usually installed beneath a concrete slab, which makes them susceptible to bursting and leaking.
When these pipes break, the leaking water will cause the surrounding soil under your house to shift and swell, causing a chain reaction that may not be noticeable until long after the leak has gone unchecked.
The resulting soil expansion will weaken your foundation, eventually leading to damage to other parts of the house like doors, windows, and the roof. Once you have serious structural damage to your home, it’s very difficult to correct.
Water stains, bubbling and soft spots on your floors are other indications of a slab leak that should be checked by a professional plumber. This is because the water will have entered your home through a hole in the floor, and it’s not possible to completely dry out the floor.
There are several ways to fix a slab leak, and the process involves digging through your concrete floor, jackhammering out the section of slab where the pipe is leaking, and then either cutting out the faulty line or rerouting it with a new pipe that’s built to fit in the existing opening.
The Dangers of Mold Growth From Undetected Slab Leaks in Northwest San Pedro
The Importance of Slab Leak Detection in Northwest San Pedro