When your home has a plumbing system that runs under the concrete slab foundation, leaks can occur. These can cause significant water damage to your property if left untreated. Fortunately, plumbers are trained to detect slab leaks and provide a variety of solutions that are affordable.
When it comes to leak detection, plumbers have access to the latest technology to pinpoint the exact location of the leak. These include acoustic, sonic, pressure, and electromagnetic detectors that can find even the smallest leaks in plastic or metal lines. They also use a video camera to inspect the piping and locate any pinholes that may indicate a leak.
Slab leaks can cause mold and mildew if they’re not addressed quickly, which can damage the interior of your house as well as the foundation. They can also cause your water bill to rise significantly.
If you notice a strange noise coming from the plumbing under your home’s slab, call the professionals at SPT right away to find out if it’s just a pipe leak or something more serious. You can also check your water meter to see if it’s moving rapidly.
It’s a good idea to compare your bills over a period of time, and make sure they’re not higher than usual. You should also consider how much water your appliances are using, especially if you’re not noticing any other changes to your water bill.
When there’s a slab leak detection, you can typically detect it by hearing the sound of water dripping from the ground under your home. It can be a little bit louder than other sounds you might hear from pipes. If you’re able to hear the sound even when your home’s gadgets and toilets are turned off, there’s a chance you have a leak.
You can also spot a leak by looking at the ground around your home’s foundation. If the soil is soft and it feels mushy, it’s likely that there’s a leak beneath your home’s concrete foundation.
Once a leak is detected, your plumber will work with you to determine the best solution. They may recommend a spot repair, tunneling, repiping, or sleeving.
The choice between these methods depends on the size and severity of the leak and the preferences of the homeowner. However, repiping is typically the most invasive solution and involves cutting through flooring. It can be expensive, and it’s not always a good option if you have insulated plumbing lines or other features that make jackhammering a difficult job.
If you’re looking for a less invasive solution, trenchless pipe repair is an excellent option. This method eliminates the need to cut through your floor and allows the plumber to make access holes at each end of the leaking line, then press a new liner into the existing pipe.
Another method of repairing slab leaks is to abandon the leaking line and run a new line through your home’s walls and attic. This is a more permanent solution, but it can be more costly than repiping or sleeving.