Slab leaks are leaks in the plumbing beneath the home’s foundation. Most homes are built upon a concrete foundation and that concrete is referred to as the “slab”. A slab leak is a threat to the home because if it is left too long, it can cause rot and develop the potential to harm the whole house. Ideally, you need to know how to prevent slab leaks rather than waiting for a problem to arise and then having to deal with a full blown problem.
If you are worried about a slab leak, your best bet is to contact a highly qualified and reputable plumber to come and check it out, but for those of you who want to prevent slab leaks we have some information that may help.
Can Slab Leaks Be Prevented?
While you can’t entirely prevent all slab leaks, you can mitigate the consequences by paying attention to your plumbing and by having a quality, qualified plumbing company do regular inspections and necessary plumbing work on your home.
The plumbing under the slab, typically copper piping, is susceptible to general deterioration and something called ‘pinhole’ leaks naturally but some factors that are in our control can cause trouble and those are what we can help you avoid.
Preventing Slab Leaks
People love powerful water flow, but you want to ensure that the water pressure is under control and won’t strain the pipes. That is one of the most common causes of slab leaks. Water pressure should be consistent and appropriate to your plumbing system and a pressure regulator is a great idea for homeowners who have issues with the public water coming in too pressurized.
While using chemical drain cleaners is convenient, they are caustic and wear on your pipes. A plumber’s snaking system is more effective, and it doesn’t damage your pipes.
Hard water can be hard on pipes, too, so you always have the option of adding a whole house water softener which can have many benefits for homeowners including being easier on your pipes.
Additionally, you will want to perform annual maintenance as recommended by your reputable plumber.
Signs Of A Slab Leak
What to watch out for:
- Unexplained increase in your water bill
- Warm or hot regions of your floor
- Strange water pooling or flowing outside the home, or unexplained moss/mold/mildew growth near the foundation
- Walls and ceilings developing sudden cracks (some cracks are normal as the house settles over time, but unusual cracks with other symptoms described here should be looked at)
- Observing the sound of dripping or noticing water flow when the mains are off
Still Have Questions About Your Slab?
Please reach out before slab leaks threaten your foundation which can cause a cascade of damage to your home like cracks in the foundation that can then affect walls, furnishings and even your health. If mold and mildew become an issue, or structural damage becomes obvious that is dangerous . Don’t let a slab leak turn into an expensive nightmare, call a great plumber, like us here at Phend Plumbing and we will come out for a slab leak inspection and we can discuss how we can help you prevent slab leaks in your home. Call us right away at 480-388-6093 or email us at [email protected] so that you can prevent a nuisance from becoming a nightmare.