Slab Leak Detection 101: Understanding The Causes | Mansfield, TX
Do you have a home with a slab foundation in Mansfield, TX? If so, it’s important to understand the basics of slab leak detection so you know when to call in the professionals at SlabLeak.com. The soil under your home can shift over time, placing pressure on pipes and fixtures bringing in clean water and delivering sewer to the municipal system or your septic tank. Plumbing systems installed under concrete slabs are especially prone to cracks and loosened connections due to the powerful pressures placed on them from above and below. When pipes fail, it can result in a slow leak or gushing flood.
Running water and rain may cause leaks beneath the slab. That’s when you really need slab leak services from our experienced plumbers. Water pooling beneath the home can cause major issues for your home, property and health. To avoid these consequences, it’s time to brush up on the information below for slab leak detection 101.
How to Spot a Slab Leak
Do you want to avoid pooled water, shifting soil and structural damage? Here’s how to spot a slab leak:
- Advanced slab leak detection tools
- High water bill with no increase in usage
- Sound of running water
- Cracks in the foundation
- Damp or discolored flooring
- Bad odors from walls or floors
- Uneven growth in vegetation near foundation
- Sunken areas in your yard, near foundation
Now that you can spot a slab leak, it’s a good idea to know what causes it, which can make slab leak detection easier.
Causes of Slab Leaks
If you have poor water quality, it can lead to corrosion and compromised metal and plastic pipes. While chlorine kills impurities in your drinking water, it can also eat away copper and other metal pipes. This can cause pinholes that lead to leaks and cracks in your plumbing. This is one of the most common causes of slab leaks in Texas.
Hard water is another contributing factor. Due to high acidity, hard water eats away the inside of your pipes. The effect is much worse if you have metal pipes.
Water softeners and anti-scaling equipment can also lead to plumbing problems. Slab leak detection often uncovers issues related to water softening efforts.
Concrete can erode copper and metal pipes. This can cause leaks you’ll need to fix with the minimum disruption to your family. At the same time, shifting soil can create depressions beneath the pipes or put additional pressure on your plumbing system. It’s important to address this with the right plumbing repairs and upgrades to avoid major damage to your home in Mansfield, TX.
How old is your home? If you have the original plumbing on a home built more than 30 years ago, you may have galvanized steel or other metal plumbing materials. These systems are prone to rust and leaking, which can cause major damage to your home.
Your foundation is another cause of slab leaks. Foundation shifting is one way a problem can start. Fortunately, you don’t have to guess when it comes to slab leak detection. Just call our expert plumbers in for an evaluation to see if you need work done on your plumbing.
A slow slab leak constantly leaks water beneath your home. That can cause soil expansion and substantial damage. Hydraulic pressure will also seek a release by pushing against the foundation, plumbing and walls of your house. In some cases, you’ll see wet spots. In the worst cases, there will be an eruption that causes major damage, threatening your home and belongings.
Learn some of the strategies our plumbers use to keep your home and family safe and secure.
How to Fix a Slab Leak
There are several strategies that can be used to fix a slab leak that include the following:
- Pipe rerouting: To avoid tearing out your existing pipes, we can reroute your plumbing. In this case, we’ll lay out the new pipe above or below ground, depending on the situation. This works well with short sections of pipe.
- Re-Piping: Using video cameras and slab leak detection tools, we’ll trace the source of your leaks. If you have multiple leaks, re-piping may be the best solution for your home. We’ll do everything in our power to limit the number of cuts in your concrete slab and flooring. There are several methods available depending on the condition of your existing plumbing, the pipe materials and the soil composition and condition.
- Pipe Relining: Pipe relining is a type of trenchless pipe repair that minimizes damage to your flooring and foundation. It requires two holes, one at each end of the pipe. This method prevents the need to dig a trench, cutting through the concrete for access to the buried, damaged pipes. Depending on the severity of the leak, we may be able to install a new lining in the old pipe, which will prevent future leaks and seal the line with minimal damage.
Our Plumbers Are Great Slab Leak Detectives
While you can find some of the symptoms associated with slab leak detection, it’s a job best left to the professionals. At SlabLeak.com, we focus on slab leak causes, prevention and repairs. It all starts with an inspection to determine if you have a leak. We’ll use a tiny video camera installed on flexible tubing to survey the damage from directly inside your water or sewer lines. We also have equipment to measure water flow. Noting differences in water pressure helps us find the source of one or more leaks in your system.
Our licensed, insured and experienced plumbers use their senses as well as the technology at their disposal. They’ll also take into consideration your own observations. Has your water bill gone up without explanation? Do you hear water running when the taps are all off? How about warm or damp spots on your flooring?
Contact SlabLeak.com today for more information on slab leak detection services for your home in Mansfield, TX.