Leak Detection

7 SIGNS OF A SLAB LEAK IN YOUR FOUNDATION

A leak in your home translates to higher water bills. This is especially true with slab leaks because this type of plumbing leak can go on for a long time without being noticed. Unfortunately, the longer it goes unnoticed, the more problems it creates.

To help you along with leak detection, here are some warning signs to be on the lookout for when it comes to slab leaks.

Sounds of Running Water – this is quite easy, especially if all plumbing fixtures are turned off. The challenge here though is pinpointing the exact location of the water leak. To be able to do that, you will need equipment used by professional plumbers; so call on one.
Foul Odor – it may sound funny, but odor detection is quite effective. The moment that you smell something musky or similar to rotten egg, then there is something wrong with your sewer lines that must be addressed at once. Call a professional plumber to do sewer line repair.
Weaker Water Pressure – if there is nothing wrong from the side of your water supplier, then a weak water pressure can be an indication of a plumbing issue. Usually a leak or even multiple leaks, can cause the pressure to drop.
High Water Bills – just the sound of it already sounds disastrous. Generally, unexplained increase in your water bills is an indication of a leak that is possibly behind your foundations, which is why it has remained undetected.
Warped Floors – this happens when there is moisture forming underneath or behind it. The moisture is caused by water coming from leaking pipes behind foundations in your home.
Warm Spots on Floor – another warning sign that a leak is present under your floors. When it has been disregarded for a considerable time, you may need foundation repair to be done.
Mold Growth – you may think this has nothing to do with plumbing leak detection. But, the presence of mold growth is an indication that there is a leak because mold grows in environments that are moist and dark.

THE CAUSE OF LEAKAGE

Water slab leaks do not happen overnight. Normally, this is the result of years of regret combined with other factors that result in water damage caused by the neglected leak behind slabs. In every home or building, slab foundations are critical. It can be weakened by continuous exposure to water, which is why it is important to know what causes leaks.

Burst Pipes – this is commonly the result of one of two things, either the pipe is too old and brittle or there is too much water pressure going through the water pipe. Normally these pipes are designed to operate at certain pressures only, and when exceeded, it simply gives way.
Damaged Lines –in this instance the pipes have already grown weak resulting in leaks. Leak repairs can be done in a variety of ways depending on the actual condition of the pipe.
Hard Water – this type of water has a way of affecting the inner lining of pipes. When this happens, leaks can form. The easiest way to spot the presence of these leaks is to monitor your water meter.

HOW TO DO SLAB LEAK DETECTION

Slab leak repair cannot be done by someone who has no experience or training on it. That is the simple truth. It is not like a bathroom remodel where you can just replace the showerhead or a faucet. Repairing slab requires the right equipment as well considering that you have to go through concrete to do the proper line repair.

Pinpointing the source of the leak can also be quite difficult to do if all you have to go through are hot spots on the floor. Professional plumbers are not only adept in repairing leaks, they are also highly trained in using the proper equipment to find the exact source of the leak.

Leak detection and repair of slab leaks is comparatively more complex than fixing sewer leaks. In fact, there are a few solutions that professional plumbers use to fix a slab leak and these include opening up the foundation, pipe coating, and repiping. Once the damaged pipe has become healthy, the plumbing repair has been completed.