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.