Slab leaks rank among the most troublesome and problematic plumbing issues your home can face. In and of themselves, they’re no different than any other plumbing leak in your home: a worn, damaged or corroded pipe that bursts, and the sort of repair job that most plumbers can handle quickly and inexpensively. With slab leaks, however, the location of the pipe becomes an issue. It’s either buried beneath the concrete of your home’s foundation, porch or pool, or in some cases embedded within the concrete itself.
A Twofold Problem
The obvious problem with a slab leak is getting to the leak itself to fix it. In many cases, it’s easier to simply shut off the water to the pipe and run a new pipe around the foundation than it is to dig into the concrete to get at it. But beyond the trouble of reaching the leak comes the equally serious issue of spotting it in the first place. Because it’s hidden from sight, it can be weeks or even months before the problem is detected. In that time, the water can cause a great deal of damage to the surrounding concrete, and when it affects the foundation of your house, you can see how quickly the matter can get out of hand. Early detection is the key to halting the problem before it causes serious damage to your home.
Signs of Trouble
The first step to resolving a slab leak is realizing that the leak exists. That can be difficult considering its location, but there are signs that you can spot if you’re careful. They can include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Strange Sounds. You may detect the sound of running water or dripping water where none previously existed.
- Puddles Around the Foundation. Similarly, puddles may appear around the foundation of the home or in other areas where no apparent water source exists.
- Hot Spots or Cold Spots. Heat or cool temperatures from the escaping water may create a warm spot or a cold spot on the concrete above the leak.
- Higher Bills. Unfortunately, you usually get to pay for the water lost to a slab leak, which means you’re likely to see an unexpected spike in your water bill when the leak first appears.
- Cracks in the Concrete. A crack in the concrete is the sign that the damage from the leak has advanced considerably, and you need an immediately repair call to halt the damage before it spreads any further.
The moment you spot the leak, turn off the water to your house and call in a plumbing service trained in such matters. They can assess the problem – using advanced leak detection equipment and similar tools to pinpoint the exact spot of the leak and go over your options with you before undertaking repairs.
If you suspect you have a slab leak in your Richardson, TX home, call on the friendly professionals at Hutchins Plumbing & Air Conditioning today to get the matter resolved swiftly and effectively.
