What Homeowners Should Know About The Insidious Slab Leak
Modern homes are often built on slabs that make for great buildings, but it can be an adventure for underground plumbing repair. Slab leak detection and repair are essential, even if the leak is only a small one. Every homeowner should know the extent of damage resulting from a slab leak and what professionals can do to fix it.
Defining Slabs and Slab Leaks
A house has a slab foundation, meaning it sits on a layer of gravel or earth, and a foundation made from poured concrete. This concrete foundation is the slab. Pipes for home plumbing are often integrated into the concrete before building the rest of the house. Once a house is built, there are several reasons why the pipes may leak:
- Corrosion
- Ground shift
- Abrasion
- Extreme water pressure
No matter the reason for the leak, it should be dealt with as soon as it’s discovered. Signs of a slab leak include warm, wet spots on the floor, an increase in water bills, and running water sounds.
Why Slab Leaks are Harmful
Water leaks are never good news. A leak under the slab of the home can be detrimental to the home's structure. An undetected slab leak can cause an infestation of mold or mildew, ruin flooring and carpets, and result in water damage to the house and yard.
The home could settle unevenly and crack the foundation in the worst-case scenario, leading to serious structural concerns that could take weeks to repair. Homeowners should never ignore such a leak.
Professional Plumbing Solutions
Slab leaks can be repaired, and the quicker they are caught, the better. Plumbing technicians have special tools for slab leak detection. The technology includes ultrasonics to detect the leak beneath the slab. Once the precise spot of the plumbing leak is found, there are several methods that a plumber may use for the repair.- Jackhammering: This process involves breaking up the slab at the point of the leak and repairing it at the source of the leak. This is a quick method of getting to the leak but demands its own unique set of repairs.
- Digging Under: The second method of direct repair is to dig underneath the foundation slab to reach the leaky pipe from the underside. It causes less damage but takes longer to repair.
- Underground Bypass: This repair method reroutes the pipes by disconnecting from the leaking pipe and digging a trench around one side of the house to place a new pipe that will carry the water from the supply source to the home but not pass through the foundation.
- Attic Bypass: Instead of going underground, this rerouting method uses a home’s attic space to get the water from under the foundation. The bypass methods prevent future problems with foundation leaks.
About Hancock & Son Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning
Locally owned and operated, Hancock & Son Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning serve Salisbury, MD, and the Eastern Shore. They provide 24/7 emergency service, honest pricing, and personalized service. Call them today for home comfort and plumbing solutions in Salisbury, MD.
