4 Ways To Fix a Slab Leak
Slab leaks are a common plumbing problem that can cause extensive damage to your home. They occur when pipes that run under the concrete slab of your home begin to leak. If left untreated, slab leaks can lead to mold growth, water damage, and even foundation damage.
In this blog post, we discuss the top four ways to fix the issue.
1. Repiping
When you’re looking at ways to fix a slab leak, repiping is one of the more complicated yet long-term solutions. It involves replacing the damaged pipes with new ones. This is the most effective way to fix a slab leak and prevent future leaks. Repiping is a complex process that requires cutting through the concrete slab to access damaged pipes. It is important to hire a professional plumber who has experience with slab leak repair to perform this job.
2. Epoxy Coating
Epoxy coating is one of the less invasive ways to fix a slab leak. This entails coating the damaged pipes with an epoxy resin that hardens and creates a new, leak-free pipe. This method is less expensive and requires less labor than repiping. However, note that epoxy coating may not be a permanent solution and that another epoxy coating may be needed in the near future to maintain a good leak-free seal.
3. Pipelining
Pipelining is exactly as it sounds — plumbing professionals must insert a flexible liner inside the damaged pipe before it is inflated. The liner then expands until it fits snugly against the walls of the original leaky pipe. Once it’s in place, the liner is cured and serves as a new, leak-free pipe inside the old one. Despite the procedure, it’s still less invasive than repiping and can be a good option for certain types of pipes. However, it is important to note that not all pipes are suitable for pipelining.
4. Spot Repair
Spot repair involves repairing the damaged section of the pipe without replacing the entire fixture. This is a less expensive option than repiping, but it may not be that effective if there are multiple leaks or if the pipe is old and likely to develop additional leaks in the future.
How To Tell if You Have a Slab Leak?
As homeowners, we want to ensure that our plumbing systems are always in good working order. But when it comes to slab leaks, they can be surprisingly difficult to detect.
So, how can you tell if you have a slab leak that needs repairing?
Here are six things to watch out for:
- You hear the sound of running water in the wall even when all your taps are closed.
- Your water pressure is lower than usual and you’ve ruled out other causes for it like faulty valves, debris in the water, and a buildup of minerals in the pipes.
- You notice that the foundation of your house has shifted and/or there are cracks along it.
- There are spots on your floor that may be warm. Spots can form on the floor of your home when pipes carrying water leak and move upward toward the floor. If the spot is warm, it means that a problem occurred in one of the pipes carrying hot water to your home. The hot water causes the materials to corrode more easily, resulting in warmer floor areas.
- In addition to warm spots, you may also notice that parts of your floor become raised due to a slab leak. This only happens when a slab leak has been neglected for too long. If this happens, you need to get it fixed immediately since it’s a sign that the leak has begun to affect your home’s foundation.
- Your water bills are higher than usual. When leaks occur anywhere in your piping, it means wasted water and higher water bills. Again, if you’ve looked at other possible reasons for increased water consumption and can’t seem to pinpoint what’s causing it, it’s worth having a professional check for a slab leak.
Get Your Slab Leak Taken Care of With First Service Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning
Got a slab leak or suspect that your home may have one? No sweat. Let First Service Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning take care of it for you. We have the tools, equipment, skills, and experience to take care of plumbing problems like slab leaks. We can detect possible slab leaks in your home and identify exactly which pipe is causing it so we can get rid of the leak.
We also offer emergency plumbing services, gas line repair, sewer repair, and more.
For trusted and reliable services in Midland, Texas, look no further than First Service. Call us at
432-685-0003 or
send us a message. We’re always glad to help.
