General Facts Concerning Slab Leaks

By Katelyn Buckner


Slab leaks, which may also be referred to as foundation leaks, have been a problem for decades. They originated during the 1980s, a time when home builders and contractors, especially those located in the southwestern United States, constructed homes on big slabs of concrete. The worker poured cement into a slab for the foundation and while it was still wet, they would insert the soft copper piping.

However, this posed a problem that was often did not show until years later. The copper was too weak. Once inside of the dried cement, it would begin to fold or nick, kink and bend. This only added to the problem of weakness. Overtime, a leak the size of a pinhole will develop and if the problem is left untreated, more and larger issues can form.

People who think that they may have this problem can look for a few common warning signs. If one can see or feel wet spots on the flooring, this could be a sign of an issue, especially if there are warm spots. Another sign, of any form of leak, could be a sudden rise in the water bill.

This is a result of the water leaking from the pressure of an outbound waterline. In turn, the water will leak out all day long and the price of the water bill will increase accordingly. Property owners may also notice the sound of running water in the home, even when all of the fixtures are turned off or not in use.

The primary cause of this issue is because of damage that is done to the soft copper piping once it is placed in the cement. The damaged pipes are what spring these slab issues. This issue is specific to older properties that have these concrete foundations. Such problems are typically expensive and not easy fixes.

Among the first and most crucial steps in these cases is to find the exact problem. This often involves hiring a company that offers leak detection services and has a good standing. They will utilize different high-tech equipment to pinpoint the exact area of problem. It is so important that the correct problem area is found because property owners do not want to have to dig in numerous places looking for the leak.

There are repair options for slab leaks. Typically they are not simple and they do require funds. The most common approaches: repipe, jackhammer or epoxy. Jackhammer is the preferred option for many people. A professional company will use this machine to dig up the area. Then, a plumber will be called in to solder in new piping where necessary. Epoxy lining involves cleaning the inside the pipe and then lining it with epoxy, which seals the holes and prevents leaking. Repiping is essentially the installation of a new piping system. The costs for these repairs will vary based on the company and the option chosen.

Slab leaks are issues related to piping in old properties that are built on concrete slabs. Fixing this problem can be done in three major ways, each requiring professional aid. Cost for repairs will differ, but if left untreated, the leaks can bring about new issues.




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