Water leaks waste billions of gallons of water worldwide. Not to mention will add up to your utility expenses and cause headaches on unnecessary spending. If you see a slab leak in your home, you should have it repaired immediately. Better yet, hire a professional plumber to help fix the leaks.
It is also important to know the tell-tale signs of a slab leak and what to do when you see one in your home. If you leave the leaking unfixed, you might have to deal with flooding, mold, and mildew. Worse, it will lead to irreparable damage to your pipe system.
Why do slab leaks occur?
A slab leak can be such an inconvenience. It will increase your water bill and cause damage to your home. Homes 25 years old or older have a higher risk of slab leaks, despite meticulous care and regular inspection. Likewise, there could be pinhole issues even if you use copper pipes at home.
Slab leaks occur when drain or water supply pipes running under the concrete slab foundation crack, burst, or break. Common reasons why there are slab leaks include:
- Erosion
- High water pressure
- Friction
- Pipe corrosion
- Incorrect installation
Aside from unusually high water bills, other tell-tale signs of a slab leak include:
- Low water pressure
- Sound of running water even if the water faucet is turned off
- Spinning water meter even without water usage
- Presence of mildew or moisture on flooring
Low water pressure, in particular, is a major indicator of a slab leak. Still, it is best to contact a professional plumber to help you deal with the leak.
Unfortunately, slab lacks could be hard to spot because they are hidden under the flooring or concrete. So if you notice unexplainable warm spots on your flooring, it could be due to a slab leak.
How to repair slab leaks
There are several ways to repair slab leaks. Make sure not to delay when you see one and take action immediately. Here are popular slab leak repair methods:
Pipe coating
It involves using epoxy to fix slab leaks. With epoxy pipe coating, you don’t need to remove or tear down flooring or any digging involved. The process is quick and quiet as well. While pipe coating is durable and long-lasting, it may not be the best repair method out there.
Pipe rerouting
This is another popular repair method among homeowners. It involves leaving the old plumbing and installing new pipes, which are then rerouted around the concrete slab edges or through the attic. It also doesn’t include tearing down your flooring, although it usually needs extensive plumbing work.
Spot repair
Spot repair usually works better in commercial buildings than in homes. This involves extensive work, such as tearing down the flooring to access the pipes. Spot repair is ideal for small pipe leaks. On the downside, it could be costly and noisy and could not guarantee a long-lasting fix.
Slab leaks should not be ignored. Call a professional plumber in Franklin, TN, immediately if you see one in your home!
