For anyone who’s ever had a slab leak in their home, the term itself can send anxiety coursing through them as they remember the experience of managing it. Slab leaks are among the most insidious of plumbing problems after all, as they are hidden and often don’t show symptoms until a great deal of damage has already been done.
We don’t say this to scare you, but to urge the importance of contacting a professional, and experienced, professional the moment you suspect that your home is experiencing this problem. Read on to learn more!
What Is a Slab Leak and How Does It Form?
As the name suggests, a slab leak is a leak that occurs underneath the foundational slab of your home. Pipes were and often still are buried underground, and due to shifts in the soil as well as corrosion of plumbing materials over the years, leaks can occur.
A slab leak is any leak that occurs beneath your property and is bad news.
Risks and Costs of Undetected Slab Leaks
We mentioned above about how you may not even know you have a slab leak until damage has already been done. This is because they’re typically hard to detect. After all, the plumbing pipes under your property are down pretty far, and it’s not like they’re obviously viewable.
In fact sometimes the only way to accurately locate where exactly your slab leak is occurring is to have professionals do what’s called a video camera inspection and take a close look inside your pipes. Spotting hidden leaks early is critical, and understanding how to detect plumbing leaks can give you a head start before major damage occurs.
Warning Signs of a Potential Slab Leak
Fortunately, there are signs you can watch out for that indicate you have a slab leak. Once you see them, you can give our team a call in order to mitigate any further damage that may be done.
- Warm spots on the floor. If you have a pet, it can be really easy to brush off this symptom. “Hmm,” you might think, “Fido was just laying over there, so that must be while it’s warm.” What you often don’t think about is maybe the warmth is what enticed Fido over there to begin with. Slab leaks are most common in the hot water lines (with some exceptions) so it’s natural that you’ll feel warmth beneath your feet if there’s a leak.
- A spike in your water bills. Have you noticed that your water bills have begun to rise, but you have no reasonable explanation for this increase in cost? This is often a sign that you have a leak somewhere. Basically, your plumbing system is losing water that you’re paying for! While it may not specifically be a slab leak in this case, you still shouldn’t hesitate to contact our pros to find out where it is coming from. You can also take preventative measures by learning how to prevent plumbing leaks and minimizing risk before it escalates.
- The sound of running water with no taps on. Do you hear water running somewhere in your home, even though you have no plumbing appliances or taps on at the time? You could very well be listening to a leak. And if you can’t pinpoint it behind the drywall, it may be a slab leak.
- Visible damage. In severe cases, property damage might already be done. A slab leak could have worked its way up through the foundation, leaving cracks in the foundation and damp spots on your flooring. If left unaddressed, these problems could worsen, leading to the need for major plumbing repairs or even repiping your home to restore full functionality.
If you notice any of these symptoms, or anything else that concerns you and may indicate a leak, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our professional plumbers!
DC Cheek Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is your trusted resource for a professional plumber in Woodstock, GA. Contact us today!
