Slab Leak Detection in Anderson

Structural and foundation issues can occur with any home or building. This can be due to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, or other issues, such as shifting soil. Since most homes are built on concrete slabs, this shifting and moving may lead to slab leak issues.

A slab leak can impact both cold and hot water lines, and they can appear in drain lines. Homeowners need to know when calling plumbers are necessary to handle the slab leak situation.

What Are Slab Leaks?

Slab leaks refer to a leak that occurs in the copper water lines that run under the home’s concrete foundation. If the leaks occur above ground, in the ceiling or wall, they are called pinhole leaks. These leaks are typically caused by corrosion to copper pipes.

Slab leaks can be found in the drainage or pressure side of the foundation. If the slab leak occurs on the pressure side of the home’s drains, it can be found and unearthed before causing too much damage and destruction. Even though the leaks are typically found quickly, they can still cause a lot of damage. Leaks on the drainage side of things can make them more difficult to spot. They can leak for a while and never show any external signs of a problem. A slab leak that is not found or handled can result in the entire foundation collapsing. To prevent this, the home’s plumbing must be inspected regularly.

Because slab leaks are not always easy to spot for homeowners, they may be undetected for longer periods of time. If a slab leak is not handled in a timely manner, it can lead to more serious issues, including a termite infestation, mold damage, or other problems. With that in mind, there are a few signs that homeowners can watch for to let them know they may be dealing with a slab leak. Keep reading to learn some of the tell-tale signs of a slab leak here.

Poor Installation or Pre-Damage

It is not unusual for some materials to be banged up and damaged when a home is being constructed. However, if the pipes are damaged, this could cause more serious issues in the long run. Also, if pipes are not installed correctly from the beginning, there is a good possibility that they will not be able to function once the house is constructed on top.

Foundation or Ground Shifts

In some situations, a slab leak can occur because the house shifts on the foundation. If the ground of the home begins to shift, the pipes will experience some pressure. However, while most pipes are strong and they can withstand quite a bit of pressure and issues, excessive pressure can cause more serious damage and cause a leak.

Abrasion

As water moves through pipes, it will contract and expand naturally. However, this can cause issues depending on how the home was constructed. If the pipes are in a place where they are exposed to gravel, concrete, or even other pipes, they may begin to rub against one another. This is going to cause wear and tear if they do not have enough room to fully expand.

Tell-Tale Signs of a Slab Leak

A few signs that homeowners can watch for that indicate they may be dealing with a slab leak. For example, there could be sudden and unexplained spikes in the water bill. There may also be the sound of running water when nothing is turned on or being used. Some of the other signs that indicate a slab leak include warm or damp floors, standing water around the house, mildew or moisture beneath the carpet, lower than normal water pressure, cracks in the walls or baseboards, and mold problems or a musty odor.

If any of the above issues are noticed, a homeowner should call for help right away. Slab leaks are only going to get worse as time passes and cause more problems and damage. By taking action immediately when an issue is detected, more serious damage and problems can be avoided. In the long run, taking control of plumbing issues and handling them right away will minimize issues and ensure that a home. Avoiding slab leaks will also help ensure serious costs are avoided.