Warning Signs That a Home Has a Slab Leak
Slab leak frequency can significantly vary between regions and typically depends on soil stability and average home age. The concrete layer provides a significant barrier between the house and the soil, but all plumbing must go through this foundation to reach the house, which creates a unique set of problems. Due to its thickness, a slab foundation is notoriously tough to pierce through, making piping leaks nearly impossible to diagnose and similarly challenging to fix. This article will focus on detecting whether the house has a slab leak.
Hot or cold spots on the floor
While concrete doesn’t conduct heat particularly well, a significant amount of water running from the pipe into the foundation will cause a localized hot or cold spot. The temperature difference will depend on whether the hot- or cold-water line is broken. However, the area might be imperceptible with well-insulated flooring or during certain times of the year when the water temperature is comparable with the air temperature.
Warped flooring
If the leak has been present for a while, the sheer amount of water lost can cause the concrete to swell and create a raised dome above the leak. A subtle shift might be less perceptible, but a prominent bulge is one of the more obvious indicators of a severe slab leak that requires immediate attention.
Moisture and mold near the floor
A slab leak directs the water either above the foundation or below it. The moisture gets between the flooring and foundation, creating an excellent breeding ground for various molds and mildew. This can result in dark spots where the floor meets the walls.
Water pooling outside the house
When the slab leaks, water will pool until it finds an escape route. This route most commonly runs through the concrete via any crack until it reaches the outside air or soil. If the top of the foundation starts leaking water outside the home for no apparent reason, a slab leak is a likely culprit.
A sudden increase in water bills
Unfortunately, there are several causes for a sudden surge in water usage. While a leak in the system is probably the reason, detecting the leak’s location might be time-consuming. The problem might be located under the house if you’ve gone through the entire house without spotting obvious signs of leakage, like moist spots on the walls or ceiling. A slab leak can be detected by a method of elimination, although this isn’t particularly efficient.
Detecting a slab leak can be time-consuming and expensive. A professional plumbing service uses unique tools and equipment to drain the pipes and check for leaks methodically, providing accurate results and allowing for a precise estimate of repair requirements and costs. A slab leak can be devastating if left unchecked, so any sudden water in or around the house that can’t be explained with a more common leak should warrant a look.
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