A slab leak means that one or more of your water pipes that are located under a slab of concrete, even your home’s foundation are now leaking water which ends up costing you many dollars in your water bill and works to weaken the slab and/or the foundation of your home.
So, yes, a slab leak is an emergency. Once you have identified a slab leak we strongly recommend that you contact a professional plumber to fix the situation immediately.
There are 14 signs that may indicate a slab leak.
- Cracks in the concrete slab is an obvious one
- Pooling of water where there shouldn’t be – this could be indoor or outdoor
- Drywall cracks on your walls
- Soggy carpeting, deformed wood floors or any sign of a change in your flooring
- Baseboards are wet or moist
- Mold or mildew – even if you don’t see it you may smell it
- Interior doors that don’t close properly, but they used to
- An unexplained hot spot in your floor
- An unusually high water bill
- Your toilet(s) and/or showers and/or bathtubs back up
- Your water pressure decreases
- Your hot water heater is constantly running
- You hear odd sounds, running water but no faucets are turned on
- You notice that you are running out of hot water for no reason (this may indicate a leak in your hot water line
If you notice any of these signs, contact a plumber immediately. Waiting will only make the problem worse.
The Damage That A Slab Leak Can Cause
Slab leaks are dangerous and can start from a small pinhole to cause major problems. They could ruin your floors or worse, destroy the foundation of the house.
The problems that slab leaks can cause include…
Foundation Problems
Slab leaks are dangerous because they can damage a property’s foundation. They put residents at risk, even if the foundations are made from sturdier materials like concrete and steel. The water pressure is so strong that it has been known to force shifts in the building’s structure without warning – even when everything seemed OK!
The slab leaks in your basement can mean more than just a bad smell, it may also be the first sign of collapse. If left untreated for too long those cracks might spread and cause problems with structural integrity that cannot easily be fixed; so don’t wait until you’re faced with disaster to call in a plumber to fix the situation.
The Longer You Wait To Fix It – The More Expensive The Fix Will Be
While the slab leak is not technically an emergency, it can be considered one if left untreated for too long. And if you don’t want a more serious problem on your hands, then it’s best to fix the situation as quickly as possible. Otherwise you risk getting stuck with costs that go beyond anything you had expected.
The cost of fixing a slab leak is more than likely going to be expensive and in some instances insurance may pay for all or part of the repair.
But what is certain is that the longer you wait to get the problem fixed, the more it’s going to cost you.
Damage To Walls and Flooring
As water accumulates from a slab leak, it can easily begin to cause damage to your flooring and walls – if the leak reaches the foundation under your home.
You’ll notice damp walls, warped flooring, vinyl flooring and wallpaper peeling, etc.
These issues can be costly to repair so again, the sooner you can fix a slab leak problem, the less expensive it will be for you.
Health Issues
You may not realize it but slab leaks can contribute to the growth of mold which in turn can cause some health problems, even severe ones depending on the residents in the home.
Mold can be found anywhere, but when you do not know it is there because of a slab leak in your home, the mold’s spores spread throughout the air and cause serious health problems. Infants are especially at risk for developing severe breathing issues or even death from these dangerous molds that grow without warning underneath slabs.
What To Do If You Have A Slab Leak
Once you suspect or have identified that you have a slab leak, your first step is to immediately contact a plumber.
Calling in the professionals for help as soon as possible to find and fix the problem will save you time and money in the long run.
Once the plumber has identified where the leak or leaks are, he’ll be able to put all his experience and knowledge towards figuring out how best to fix it!
Some of the solutions they may come up with include:
Jackhammers, or better known as jack-knives, are often used to break up concrete slabs for construction projects and other heavy work. Sometimes the only way to gain access through a broken pipe is by using this powerful tool.
Rerouting the water lines may work for your situation.
Trenchless repiping can sometimes replace / repair the plumbing that is under the concrete slab with minimal damage to your yard.
These are just a few of the solutions that your plumber may come up with to fix the problem of your slab leak.
If you have any questions about slab leaks or are having some problems with it, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-443-8229. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.