As a responsible homeowner, you do your best to keep an eye out for any maintenance trouble brewing around your house. While a lot of maintenance issues are easy to spot with quick inspections, others develop out of sight. A slab leak is one of these. This type of leak can eventually cause major damage to your home, but you can prevent this by knowing the signs and understanding how to solve the problem.
Most modern homes have concrete slab foundations in which a layer of concrete is poured or placed onto a soil or gravel surface. The house is then built on this slab. Any damage to the slab undermines the structural integrity of the entire house.
A “slab leak” is what happens when your plumbing system leaks under the concrete slab foundation. This can lead to a number of issues that will only get worse if the leak isn’t stopped. There are several possible causes of slab leaks.
Excess pressure – Underground pipes are often placed under heavy pressure, which can eventually cause them to crack. This is a common problem in areas with clay soils, which expand when wet and shrink when dry, causing the ground under the foundation to shift and put pressure on the slab and pipes.
Corrosion – Pipes underground are in direct contact with the soil and the metals it contains. This can lead to galvanic corrosion caused by contact between two different metals. This kind of corrosion can eat a hole in your pipe and cause a leak.
Abrasion – Water flowing through the pipes causes them to vibrate. If the pipe is next to a hard surface such as concrete, rebar, another pipe or even gravel, the metal will wear away at the point where it rubs against that hard surface. Eventually, a hole forms and the pipe leaks.
The symptoms of a slab leak aren’t always obvious and some are easy to mistake for other issues. If you notice any of the symptoms, however, it’s a good idea to investigate. A slab leak can do major damage in a relatively short amount of time.
The sound of running water – If you hear water running under your floor when none of your taps or water-using appliances are on, there’s a good chance you have a leak.
A hot floor – A floor or part of a floor that’s unusually warm suggests a leak in the hot water lines. Walking barefoot on the floor will make hotspots easier to detect.
Puddles – Puddles along the side of your house that have no obvious origin, such as a leaky hose bib, could be coming from cracks in your foundation caused by a slab leak. Indoors, you might find puddles on the floor emerging from underneath a cabinet, from between tiles or from the bottom of a wall. This is most likely to happen in the kitchen or bathroom near a fixture or pipe.
Mold – Moisture encourages mold and mildew growth. If you find mold under your carpets, it’s possible the moisture feeding it is coming from a slab leak.
Abnormally high water use – The most obvious sign is that the dial on your water meter is constantly spinning, indicating you’re using water even when all your taps are closed and your water-using appliances are off.
Finally, you might notice your water bill is much higher than usual. These issues usually indicate a leak somewhere in the plumbing system, you’ll need a professional inspection to determine if you have a slab leak.
Cracks – A crack in your slab foundation or in your walls or flooring could be caused by water damage due to a slab leak.
Even if you notice signs of a slab leak, you’ll still need to confirm whether or not you really have a damaged underground pipe. There’s no need to break the foundation open to do this, though.
Modern technology allows for accurate, non-destructive slab leak detection. Most companies equipped to detect and repair slab leaks use sonic equipment such as ground mics and acoustic systems. These pick up on the noise made when a leaky section of pipe vibrates due to water leaving it at a high speed. They may also use sonic location systems to pinpoint non-metal pipes and video pipe inspection equipment.
Options for Repairing Slab Leaks
There are three basic approaches to dealing with a slab leak. The option that’s best for you depends on the extent of the leak as well as the condition of the pipe and the rest of your plumbing system.
Repair the damaged section – If the leak is minor and the pipe is in otherwise good condition, this is generally the most practical option. The leaking section of pipe and related fittings can simply be replaced. CIPP – Epoxy pipe lining is another possible option. This involves lining the interior of the pipe with epoxy to seal the leak and doesn’t require excavation.
Reroute the pipe – If the leaking pipe is old or in poor condition, repairing a leak in one spot could cause a leak to spring somewhere else on that pipe. In this case, the best option may be to shut off the pipe at the closest access point and re-route it.
Repipe the house – In an old house where the whole pipe system is deteriorating, a slab leak is often a sign that you’ll soon be seeing leaks in other parts of the system. By repiping the drainage system, you’ll head off future leaks and the damage, repair expenses, and stress they bring.
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Homeowner’s Insurance
Homeowner’s insurance often covers part or all of the costs related to a slab leak. If a simple repair is all you need, your insurance will most likely cover the cost of demolition (breaking into the foundation and closing it again) and pipe replacement, but it may not cover the labor costs involved. A “tear-out provision” in your policy means the cost of demolition should be covered.
Rerouting and repiping are generally not covered, but because they reduce the risk of leaks and water damage inside your home, you can petition your insurance provider to adjust your rates after the job is done.
Policies vary widely and some don’t cover water-related damage at all while others cover only physical damage caused by a leak that occurred suddenly. This refers to damage such as a ruined floor or wall, but not damage caused by plumbing repair work. If only sudden leaks are covered and you noticed signs of a leak, such as a warm floor, before the leak caused damage, you might not be eligible for a payout.
If you notice signs of a slab leak, contact S60Rapid as soon as possible. The earlier you address the problem, the less water damage you’ll have to deal with under your foundation and inside your home.