Repairing Damaged Water Pipes without the Need for Demolition

4/15/2022 (Permalink)

Pipes that are leaking are one of the most common problems that homeowners today face. Repairing leaking pipes can be costly and cause a big headache. Preparing for these problems is key to preventing large water damage.

Poor installation practices are one of the most common causes of leaks in plumbing systems. Kitchen and bathroom faucets are sometimes installed with too tight of a grip, creating leaks. Red stains in your toilet can indicate rust or iron, which could mean a clog in your pipes.

Cracks are another cause of water leaks. Small cracks can be something to not worry about, but larger cracks should be cause for concern and should be inspected by a professional. Small cracks can be fixed with epoxy or paint typically. Larger cracks may need cement caulk or replacement in order to be fixed. 

When pipes become blocked, water damage is likely to occur. A quality water filtration system can prevent blocks in pipes. If a pipe does become blocked, many hardware stores carry inexpensive drain snakes or rent large augers in order to remedy the issue yourself.

Many leaks are found around fixtures and fittings such as faucets, tubs, showers, toilets, and water heaters. It is often difficult to find these leaks as many of them are behind walls and tile and require demolition to find the true leak source.

Slab leaks are also common and consist of damaged water pipes beneath a layer of soil on the exterior of your foundation. If a slab leak appears anywhere near a foundation, it is important to have it repaired as soon as possible. If a damaged water pipe is visible, or you feel there may be more than one leak, contact a licensed plumbing service as soon as possible to have the leak repaired.

Slab Leaks Can Go Years Without Being Detected

4/15/2022 (Permalink)

Slab Leaks and Water Damage Repair

In areas where the soil is very unstable, slab leaks are very common. Many homes are constructed on concrete slabs or with brick-reinforced pier and beam foundation. This can create problems with basements as walls can crack while soil pressure is changing. Drainage pipes typically run under the slab, however, underground plumbing connections are usually harder to find and more costly to repair. Depending on the leak’s severity, the cost of repair varies.

The stresses of structural design, settling, and soil pressure can lead to slab leaks. Multiple combinations of factors can weaken the building’s structural integrity, including mechanical flaws in the design of the home. Installing new basement walls can help to stop slab leaks, but the stress of the loose soil could already be too much. 

Lack of proper waterproofing could be another cause of slab leaks. Sewer and drain line maintenance is vital in order to prevent both structural integrity issues and future water damage. If your plumbing system contains improper pipe lengths or bends at joints, there is a good chance your plumbing could leak. Other issues that can cause leaks include insufficient water pressure in your household plumbing system or standing water in pipes that connect to the sewage system.

Slab leaks may go years without being detected since water can move beneath the slab foundation without showing up on an inspection. Moreover, it is easy to misdiagnose slab foundation problems, so homeowners should be on the lookout for anything they may see that seems out of place. For instance, if you find a crack in your slab but no corresponding void in your floor slab, your basement may be the culprit. A faulty drain line may also cause water to leak through, especially if the soil is cracked around the pipe.

If you've recently noticed your water bill shooting up and your water pressure is low, you may be experiencing a slab leak. This type of leak is a plumbing issue that requires the expertise of a professional to fix. Slab leaks are often a result of corrosion, which causes them to be challenging to detect. They typically occur near the water meter, pipes, or appliances. If you suspect you have a slab leak, contact a slab leak repair company in your area to schedule an inspection.

Installing the Right Type of Flooring for Your Home

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

Flooring is one of the most essential features of a home. It can tie together your decor and it plays a crucial role in your home’s resale value. The most common flooring types are wood, stone, and concrete slab. Flooring can be a very expensive feature of your home. Follow the guide below in order to choose the best flooring for you.

Wood flooring

Wood flooring can be installed in various ways, depending on how complex you would like the design to be. The least complicated way to lay wood flooring is to have boards that have been “chopped” by a machine. The most common wood flooring layout is using a “locking” flooring system, where the floorboards are fitted as a single unit onto the concrete slab. This method provides the cleanest, most consistent, and most visually appealing finish.

Stone flooring

Stone flooring is incredibly durable as a flooring material. Stone flooring materials are usually preferred for use on the lower levels of houses.

Vinyl flooring

Vinyl flooring is very durable, extremely lightweight, slip-resistant, and relatively easy to maintain. One downside to vinyl flooring is that it does not always look right when placed on floor areas that are not partitioned.

Ceramic flooring

Ceramic flooring is made of glass-ceramic materials which contain silica and is ideal for use on open floor areas and where slip accidents are unlikely. Ceramic flooring is highly durable and provides good sound and heat insulation.

Tile flooring

Tile flooring is made from highly durable materials such as marble or limestone. Tile flooring is available in a wide range of designs and colors and can be installed in areas that have temperature control issues. Tile flooring is also easy to maintain due to its slip-resistant nature.

Should you hire a professional floor installation service? There are many benefits to hiring a professional floor installation service for your commercial or residential project. Floor installation is a complex process, and any mistakes can be costly. You want to be sure that your installation is done right the first time. If you have questions about our professional flooring installation services, call our office at (940) 241-3434.

Slab Leaks Can Go Years Without Being Detected

4/15/2021 (Permalink)

Slab Leaks and Water Damage Repair

Slab leaks are a very common reality of life in places where soils are very unstable. Most homes are constructed on concrete slabs or with brick reinforced stone pier and foundation construction as basement walls often can crack and break during changing soil pressure. Drainage pipes are typically run under the slab; however, underground plumbing connections are usually harder to find and more costly to repair. This article briefly discusses what causes slab leaks, how SERVPRO of Highland Village's drainage pipe repair services can fix them, and how the average cost of slab leak repair varies depending on the leak's severity.

The causes of slab leaks are numerous and varied. In addition to the factors mentioned earlier that can cause drainage problems below ground level, the stresses of structural design, settling, and soil pressure can also lead to leaks. Regardless of the cause, the problem is usually caused by a mechanical flaw in the design of the home or building or a combination of factors that weaken the building's structural integrity.

Installing new basement walls may be an effective solution to stop slab leaks, but the damage is already done in most cases. Due to the stress of the soil beneath your foundation, older concrete slabs will generally settle unevenly, while new concrete slabs will settle pretty quickly. As a result, newly built homes may seem structurally sound but are not very structurally sound. These "snowplowing" conditions under new concrete slabs can promote both structural weakening and leaks.

Another main cause of slab leaks is a lack of proper waterproofing. Sewer and drain line maintenance is vital to prevent both structural integrity issues and water damage. Since sloped floors allow liquid to travel underneath the foundation due to differences in slope, it is imperative to address drainage issues before any problems arise. If your plumbing system contains improper pipe lengths or bends at joints, there is a good chance that the plumbing will leak. Other issues that can cause liquid to seep into your flooring beneath your foundation include insufficient water pressure in your household plumbing system, standing water in pipes that connect to the sewage system, or a faulty float valve in your household toilet or drain pipe.

Since slab leaks often occur in places where there is no flooring, such as crawlspaces, around walls, and around window and skylights, repairing this type of leak presents a daunting task. Even if you have fixed a few small leaks in the plumbing system of your home, you may still require professional plumbing help to fix major structural damage, such as those found with collapsed ceilings and other roofing problems. In most cases, leaking drains and sinks require slab leak repair, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Another primary source for slab leaks is shifting soils, such as when you build a new house. As your new home settles, the concrete slab it rests on will eventually warp in response to natural forces, such as gravitational shifts, weather changes, and other factors.

• This unnatural movement can expose your plumbing to leaking underneath your house.
• Moreover, soil movement is likely to increase with time, causing more problems for future repairs.

Finally, older homes frequently develop soil pockets in between floors and around plumbing pipes. The presence of soil between copper pipes on your sewer line, for example, can make it vulnerable to water leaks from your kitchen sink. Also, older homes frequently have wooden frames surrounded by concrete slab foundations. These can also lead to issues with water leakage.

Slab leaks may go years without being detected since water can move beneath the slab foundation without showing up on an inspection. Moreover, it is easy to misdiagnose slab foundation problems, so homeowners should be on the lookout for anything they may see that seems out of place. For instance, if you find a crack in your slab but no corresponding void in your floor slab, your basement may be the culprit. A faulty drain line may also cause water to leak through, especially if the soil is cracked around the pipe.

Slab Leak Repair Company

Were you looking for the best slab leak repair company? Slab leak repair is a costly and challenging repair for any home or business. But don't worry! We've got you covered. 

If you've recently noticed your water bill shooting up and your water pressure is low, you may be experiencing a slab leak. This type of leak is a plumbing issue that requires the expertise of a professional to fix. Slab leaks are often a result of corrosion, which causes them to be challenging to detect. They typically occur near the water meter, pipes, or appliances. If you suspect you have a slab leak, contact the best slab leak repair company in your area to schedule an inspection.

Our technicians are all highly trained and will be able to provide you with the best slab leak repair service.