The most common way that water leaks under the foundation of your home is via pipes that run underneath the concrete slab. These pipes connect to the municipal main water lines and sewage system and then deliver water to your faucets, showers, and toilets throughout the house.
Once a pipe starts leaking, it can be hard to detect without professional plumbing maintenance. That’s why it is so important to be able to recognize the warning signs that indicate that you might have a leak under your home.
The water flowing under your foundation absorbs into the concrete, causing cracks and weakening the foundation over time. This can lead to extensive damage and potentially a significant increase in repair costs.
Slab leaks are often the result of corroded or damaged underground pipes that were installed incorrectly. They can also be caused by changes in the soil around your property.
When pipes are installed under concrete, gravel, or any other rough material, they will experience abrasion over time. This can cause the pipes to rub against one another and eventually leak.
Abrasions are more likely to occur with hot water lines, since they expand when heated. It’s a good idea to schedule professional plumbing maintenance once a year or so to prevent this type of issue from occurring in the first place.
Other reasons that your pipes might be prone to abrasion include things like improper installation or the fact that your water has a chemical composition that is more acidic than alkaline. This can cause the pipes to corrode over time, which is why it’s important to get your water inspected regularly by a plumbing professional to ensure that everything is in good shape.
You should also be on the lookout for puddles of water in your yard or around your home’s plumbing fixtures. These puddles are often the result of a slab leak detection and can be an indication that you need to call a plumber right away.
If you see a spike in your water bill that is not related to your usage, it may be a sign of a slab leak. Slab leaks can use hundreds of gallons of water in a short period of time, and your water bill will reflect this.
This is a good indicator that you have a slab leak and should get it checked out right away. This is because water heaters are designed to keep up with the flow of water from the pipes in your home, so they’ll be constantly running if there’s an issue.
Depending on the type of plumbing issue, slab leaks can cause a lot of moisture in your basement. This moisture can then start to deteriorate the walls, ceilings, and floors in your home.
