5 Signs You Could Have a Slab Leak
If your home has a slab leak, it can be an expensive issue with far reaching problems. The main difficulty is that many homeowners fail to realize that there is a slab leak until considerable damage has already occurred. This damage can include damage to walls, floors and even the structural supports of the property. Fortunately, by being aware of these five signs, you can recognize that you may have a problem and have the underlying issue detected and repaired before significant damage occurs.
If you walk across your floor barefoot and notice a spot that appears to be warmer than the rest of the floor, these hot spots could be an indication of a slab leak. Hot spots can occur when a hot water pipe has broken beneath the slab. In some cases, a hot spot may not be noticeable to us, but pets will often find the warmest area to lay down for a nap. If your cat or dog has a particular preference for a patch on the floor, it is worth checking if it feels hotter than the rest.
Running Water Noises:
If you lie awake listening to the sound of running water in your home, when none of the plumbing is being used, there is obviously some form of leak. Once you have checked all your water using appliances and fixtures, the next step is to assume that the leak could be underneath your slab.
Damp:
A slab leak will very rarely cause standing water to accumulate on the floor, but they can create enough additional moisture to make the flooring feel damp. The extra moisture caused by a slab leak can encourage the growth of mildew and mold, so if your home develops unexplained patches, it is important that you investigate the underlying cause.
Cracks:
If cracks have begun to appear on your walls or floor, it could be a sign of a possible slab leak. Although there are many issues that can contribute or cause cracks to develop, water damage is a primary consideration. Before cracks can become a bigger problem, it is vital that you consider slab leak detection to check for any issues and have them corrected.
Increased Water Bills:
If your water bill has suddenly spiked, but you’re unaware of a change in your water usage, it is very likely that you have a leak. A slab leak can vary from a small drip to a massive leak, but even a small leak can have a massive effect on your water bill over a prolonged period. If your leak only drips 20 times a minute, it can still add up to a gallon of water lost each day or almost 700 gallons a year. This would obviously have a significant impact on your water bill.
If you notice any of these five signs, it is important that you call in an experienced plumber to check for a slab leak. This is the only effective way to determine that a slab leak is the root cause of your plumbing problem.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solutions.
