Slab Leaks: What They Are and How They Can Damage Your Home
Publish Date : 16-10-2024
Introduction
Every residential property is constructed on a concrete slab, crawl space, or basement foundation. If left unchecked, slab leaks can seriously threaten individuals in the final category. Slab leaks happen when water seeps into foundation cracks from pipes beneath a slab foundation, causing pressure and ruining the slab itself. This leakage usually goes unnoticed. Slab leaks usually result from plumbing leaks in newer homes, but drainage issues are also a common cause in older homes.
Water seeping from the soil beneath the foundation may cause slab leaks more frequently in homes constructed before the 1980s. There was no requirement for any kind of moisture obstacles. This is applied to the soil’s surface and concrete foundation. This was the case in many building codes during those days.
Skilled plumbers from EZ Plumbing are the best people to depend on for such slab leak repair in Escondido. Let us walk through this post to understand in detail about a slab leak and how it can bring damage to our home if left untreated. Happy Reading!
What is a Slab Leak?
The majority of buildings in Escondido are constructed on “slabs,” or concrete foundations. Unless something goes wrong, water and sewer pipes pass through the foundations unseen.
Usually, that “something” is a slab leak in or beneath the concrete slab foundation of a building.
- It is hard to find slab leaks.
- Repairing slab leaks is challenging, even though new technologies make the process simpler.
- A building’s foundation can be destroyed by slab leaks, rendering it unusable.
- Hence immediate slab leak repair in Escondido is needed to prevent any further loss of water and damage to buildings.
Causes of Slab Leaks
It might be brought on by the soil below your house shifting naturally. Several other factors may also be at play.
The foundation was constructed improperly
If your home is newer and you are still having slab leaks, you may choose to arrange for an expert in-home inspection. Furthermore, a plumber can look into the possibility that the foundation was not laid correctly when the house was built and subsequently suggest immediate slab leak repair in Escondido.
Earth’s movement
Slab leaks can result from earthquakes in some locations. However, erosion of soil and beneath-the-ground waterways can cause things to shift. It can also put pressure on the water lines even in areas where you cannot feel earthquakes.
Corrosion from water
Water that is either very soft or extremely hard can corrode pipes. This causes tiny leaks, which eventually may result in large slab leaks.
Friction
There’s a chance of leaks when pipes grind against your concrete foundation. The heat from the water passing through hot water pipes causes them to expand and contract. This might result in increased friction between the concrete foundation slab of your house and a hot water pipe.
Your house is quite old
The majority of these causes are frequently combined in older homes that have slab leaks. This is merely because all of these slab leak causes can be brought on by outdated plumbing. Experienced plumbers can manage slab leak repair in Escondido occurring beneath the slabs.
Unless you understand how to spot the warning signs, a slab leak typically begins as a tiny hole. This hole forms in a damaged water pipe that has begun to corrode. The corrosion penetrates for several days or weeks. Eventually, it suddenly erupts and causes flooding.
Slab Leak Warning Signs
- Exorbitant water costs
- Fractures in the patio, driveway, or foundation
- Wet carpeting
- Distorted baseboards and floors
- The sound of running water, even when all faucets are off
- Moldy odors
- Flooding in your backyard
The Severity of a Slab Leak
Danger #1: Mold and Its Effects on Health
Spores of mold are always in the air, searching for a secure spot to land. They resemble the Starship Enterprise looking for a planet where life exists.
Black mold thrives in the ideal moist environment created by slab leaks.
Black spores of mold can trigger allergic reactions that include headaches, throat irritation, asthma, itchy eyes, coughing, and tightness in the chest. In rare circumstances, or individuals with compromised immune systems, breathing in black mold can result in serious lung or brain infections.
Your mold issues will persist beyond the slab leak.
The process of eliminating black mold is time-consuming and intrusive. It requires the removal of walls and flooring, chemical treatments, and noisy drying fans. Hence we need to do immediate slab leak repair in Escondido for a mold-free home.
Danger #2: Your Home’s Structural Integrity May Be Damaged
The story of the naive human who constructs his residence on the sand while dwelling on a stone may be familiar to you.
That rock is your concrete slab foundation. Maybe not literally, but a slab leak can erode a foundation to the point where your house might be destroyed.
Small foundational cracks are the first signs of it. After that, the foundation starts to move and finally collapses.
The water rushing out of a corroded pipe should have no trouble digging a few tons of dirt beneath your Escondido home. Water has the force to even carve the Grand Canyon.
Any weak points in pipes can be found using modern diagnostic equipment followed by slab leak repair in Escondido. Plumbers can now replace broken pipes more quickly and economically than ever before. Thanks to cutting-edge methods such as trenchless repair and curved-in-place pipe restoration.
Danger #3: Economic Destruction
Accessible slab leak repair in Escondido is largely dependent on early detection and intervention. The plumber might swap out a short segment of pipe, use epoxy to seal joints or replace any broken connections.
However, extensive and costly repairs are necessary for flooding, mold, and foundation damage. Worse, it might not be covered by insurance!
You will need an engineer to inspect the foundation if a slab leak results in a shift. You will also need construction workers to repair the damage. Leaving the residence as a total loss might be your only option, depending on the severity and price of the damage.
Slab Leak Repair in Escondido Costs
Depending on the degree of pipe damage and how much new piping is needed, slab leak repairs may differ in cost. Across the country, the average cost to fix a slab leak is approximately two thousand dollars. The price range for slab leak detection is 150 dollars to four hundred dollars. However, these expenses are much more affordable than dealing with a collapsing concrete foundation for your house.
Final Takeaway
Slab leaks are one major problem that can seriously harm your house in Escondido. They are the result of water seeping through foundation cracks and causing degeneration of the slab. Although they might be difficult to identify, it’s critical to address them immediately to prevent further damage. Additionally, they may pose health risks.
By becoming conscious of the possible severity and warning signs of slab leaks, you can protect your home. If you suspect you might be suffering from a slab leak, you need to contact a licensed plumber for slab leak repair in Escondido.
Get in touch with EZ Plumbing to prevent slab leaks in your Escondido home Protect your house from slab leak damage! Skilled investigation and slab leak repair in Escondido are provided by EZ Plumbing. Our expert technicians locate the leak’s source and offer effective, long-lasting fixes using cutting-edge technology.
FAQS
What happens if you have a slab leak?
Make sure a slab leak doesn’t worsen. By taking quick action to fix a slab leak, you can shield your house from damage caused by water, the development of mold and higher water bills.
What is the best solution for a slab leak?
The best way to fix slab leaks is to contact a certified plumber. Their proficiency and equipment enable them to identify the leak easily. Then they evaluate the damage and execute a successful repair that minimizes additional harm to your house.
How to fix a water leak under a slab?
A qualified plumber can correctly diagnose and resolve the problem. This can help avoid expensive slab leak repair in Escondido. It can also prevent possible structural issues.
How to find a slab leak repair near me?
Request referrals from reliable people. Your friends or neighbors may be able to direct you toward a reputable slab leak repair professional in your neighborhood. Check out EZ Plumbing in your area.
