4 Ways to Prevent Slab Leaks in Arlington, TX
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A slab leak in Arlington, TX is a dangerous, but preventable problem which can weaken the foundation of your house. You can end up having issues with damp flooring and worse. Here are some of the ways to prevent a slab leak in Arlington, TX. But first, it is important to know what a slab leak is and what causes it.
What is a Slab Leak?
A slab leak refers to any leakages in the pipes installed under the concrete slab in the house flooring. Many homes in Arlington, TX are slab homes which means that the water pipes go through or under the concrete slab. If any pipe starts leaking, it causes water to seep into the concrete eventually dampening the floor and carpet and collapse of the foundation of your house. Slab leak in Arlington, TX is an expensive plumbing issue and needs to be addressed as soon as you notice the first signs of it.
Some common signs of a slab leak include
- Changes in your utility bills – you might notice an increase in your water bill due to leakage and waste.
- Decreased water pressure in your shower and other faucets – leakage will cause water pressure to decrease
- Dampening of floor – water seeps into the concrete and dampens the floor.
Causes of a Slab Leak
Some of the common causes of a slab leak are;
Poor Quality Installations
The quality of pipes installed in the house is an important factor in determining the leaks. If the contractor has used low quality pipes, there are higher chances that the pipes might leak and you end up facing the issue of a slab leak in Arlington, TX.
Also if the pipes were damaged or bent during installation, there is a chance that they might leak after some time causing a slab leak.
Poor Water Quality
Water Quality is another key factor causing pipes to leak underground. Highly acidic or highly alkaline water can easily corrode the pipes. The ideal pH of water should range between 6.5 and 8.5. Anything above or lower the range can damage the pipes and leave you in trouble.
External and Internal Pressure
Excessive water pressure will internally weaken the pipe. The size of the pipe should be in accordance to the water pressure to avoid weakening of the pipes internally.
Water pressure is not the only type of pressure for a pipe. Certain external factors like soil erosion, flooding and earthquake put pressure on the pipe externally. This can cause a pipe to leak and result in a slab leak in Arlington, TX.
Corrosion
Since pipes are installed underground, constant friction against concrete, gravel and other pipes can lead to corrosion. The soil also contains chemicals which can react with the pipes and cause them to corrode over time. This corrosion leads to slab leak in Arlington, TX.
Time
The most common reason of a slab leak in Arlington, TX is time. Older homes usually have copper or steel pipes installed which are at a higher risk of corrosion. Longer exposure to pressure leads to slab leaks. Contractors, nowadays, rely on PVC pipes to overcome the disadvantages of copper and steel pipes.
3 Ways to Prevent a Slab Leak
Once you know the causes, it is easier to prevent slab leak in Arlington.
1. Appropriate Water Pressure
The easiest way to prevent a slab leak in Arlington, TX is to adjust the water pressure according to your pipes. High water pressure in narrow pipes can cause the pipes to break and cause slab leak. At times it feels good to have high water pressure while you shower but your pipes don’t enjoy it much.
You can adjust the water pressure in your house with a gauge installed and avoid a serious problem.
2. Check for Water Hardness and pH
Water pH shows how acidic or alkaline water is. A pH below 7 shows acidic and above 7 is alkaline. Ideally water is neutral with a pH of 7. You can check the pH of water in your house. Anything from 6.5 to 8.5 is safe for your pipes. PH level above or below this range can damage your health and pipes.
You can contact any professional slab leak detection service in Arlington, TX to install and a device to regulate the pH level of your water and avoid slab leak.
Water hardness refers to the salt and metal content in your water. You can always get your water sample checked from the laboratory and inform the relevant municipal authorities about the issue. If you want to solve the problem of water hardness, you can install water softening system in your house and save yourself from slab leak in Arlington, TX.
3. Avoid Using Chemicals
Harsh chemicals like drain openers can damage your pipes and cause a slab leak in Arlington, TX. If you face an issue of clogged drains try and buy some organic drain openers which are safe for your pipes. One easy way to clean your drain without damaging them is to wash them off with hot water. This will leave your drain unclogged and bacteria free without damaging your pipes.
Slab leak in Arlington, TX is a challenging work but not if you act quickly and work with the right team. Benjamin Franklin specializes in slab leak detection and repair. We don’t only deal with slab leak repair but also provide regular and emergency plumbing services. For help call now 817-405-0434.