Slab Leak Detection Processes: The Ins And Outs | Mansfield, Texas
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There are many things that can happen within the home that are easy for you to figure out right away. However, there are other problems that happen out of sight, such as slab leaks. This is why it is a good idea to know more about slab leak detection before the problem happens so that you know what to look out for when it does. If you do not take care of a slab leak right away, there could be many damages to your home that could have been avoided. It is a good idea to know more about slab leaks and detection so that you can prevent this situation from happening.
If you are in need of slab leak detection in the city of Mansfield, TX, you should look into Slableak.com and what this great company has to offer.
What Is a Slab Leak?
In most of the modern homes you visit, you will find that they have concrete slab foundations. Within these foundations, you will find that there is a layer of concrete that is either placed or poured onto a surface of gravel or soil. After this layer is completed, the house is built on top of this slab. At any point, if the slab is damaged, this is going to undermine the structural integrity of the entire house. A slab leak will happen if your plumbing system ends up leaking underneath the concrete slab foundation. This can be much worse for your home than you know, due to a multitude of issues that are only going to get worse if the leak is not repaired as soon as possible. There are several factors that can cause slab leaks. Some of these are as follows:
- Excess Pressure. Underground pipes are very often under a lot of pressure. Eventually, because of this, they can crack. This is most common in areas where the house is on top of clay soil, which will expand when it is wet and shrink when it is dry. When this happens, the ground under the foundation will be caused to shift. This shifting will in turn put pressure on the pipes and the slab. This kind of situation can also result from an earthquake.
- Corrosion. Underground pipes are in direct contact with soil, as well as the metals within the soil. This contact can lead to galvanic corrosion, which is a type of corrosion that is caused by contact between two metals. If this happens, holes can be created within your pipe, which can lead to a leak.
- Abrasion. Water that flows through the pipes can lead to vibration. If a pipe happens to be next to some sort of hard surface while it is vibrating, the metal could wear away at the point of contact. Eventually, this will make a hole, and the pipe will inevitably leak.
Signs That Can Help with Slab Leak Detection
There are few symptoms that are good to know when it comes to slab leak detection. It can be difficult, as these signs are not always obvious. In fact, some common slab leak crack signs can be easily mistaken for other issues. However, if you happen to notice any of these symptoms, you should further investigate and ideally, call in a slab leak professional for help. Some of the detection symptoms are as follows:
- Sounds of running water. If you sometimes hear water that is running underneath your flooring when there is no reason to hear running water (meaning none of the taps or appliances that use water are actually on), this might be a sign pointing to slab leak detection.
- Heat in the floor. If you have all or part of the floor that is unusually warm, this could mean there is a leak in the hot water line. Walking barefoot on the floor could be a smart slab leak detection tactic, as it will make the warm spots easier to feel.
- Puddles. If there are puddles located along the side of your home, and there is no obvious cause, this water could be coming from cracks in your foundation that have come from a slab leak. You might also be seeing puddles on the inside of your home, coming from the bottom of a wall, from underneath the cabinet, or from between tiles in the flooring. This is most likely to occur in the bathroom or kitchen in areas near pipes or fixtures.
- Mold. One common slab leak problem sign is growth of mildew and mold that happens as a result of the moisture.
- Water use that is abnormally high. The most obvious slab leak detection sign here will be that the dial that is located on your water meter is spinning constantly. This indicates that water is being used even when all of the taps are closed and all of the appliances that use water are off. A leak in a hot water line is going to cause constant running of your water heater as well. You might also notice that your water bill is much higher than normal, even without the conscious use of more water. A leak located somewhere within the plumbing system is often the culprit when you are facing this sort of issue. You should call in a slab leak professional for help in this situation.
- Cracks. If there is a crack in your walls, flooring, or slab foundation, this could be a result of water damage that has happened due to a slab leak.
The above are only a few possible detection symptoms. If you suspect a slab leak at all, you should call in a slab leak professional to inspect the situation.
Conclusion
If you live in Mansfield, TX and are in need of slab leak detection, you should consider contacting the Benjamin Franklin professionals at Slableak.com. They will be able to answer any questions that you have about slab leak detection and possibly help you figure out what should be done in terms of the slab leak in your home.