Introduction

Any homeowner who discovers they have a slab leak is the last thing they want to happen. This usually means that there are significant foundation problems with the house, which are often costly to fix.

Our goal at EZ Plumbing is to inform our customers about slab leak causes and available repair solutions.

You should contact EZ Plumbing USA if you’re looking for slab leak detection in San Diego. We provide slab inspection services at a reasonable cost. If a leak turns up, we provide prompt, reliable, and effective repairs.

What is a Slab Leak?

A slab leak is the term for a leak that appears in the plumbing pipelines below your home’s concrete foundation. These pipes are typically composed of copper.

The basement’s concrete floor, which serves as the foundation for the remaining portion of your house, is known as the slab. The water pipes are typically found under the slab, but in certain buildings, they have been inserted in the surface itself.

4 Common Causes of Slab Leaks

1. Extension or Contraction of Soil

One common cause of slab leaks in homes is expansive soil shift. When the ground goes from being dry to being wet, the soil expands and contracts. Due to the predominant combination of sand and cracking clay in the soil, San Diego’s homes are particularly vulnerable to this. These can shift laterally or vertically.

Water pipes could be harmed by the shifting earth beneath the foundation. The ground may then shift more as a result of water that comes from the leaking pipes, starting a chain reaction which might not be noticed for an extended period.

Slab leaks can lead to several serious issues if they are not fixed, such as uneven floors, rising water bills, foul smells, cracks on the floor and walls, and even the possibility of your home shifting and sinking.

It’s crucial to plan a slab leak detection in San Diego once a year to help prevent damage from slab leaks.

2. Use of Inappropriate Plumbing or Construction Materials

The incorrect installation of pipes is another frequent reason for slab leaks. Your pipes become weaker in the places where they were dented, bent, or kinked during construction. When exposed to fluctuating pressure from the water and the abrasive nature of the surrounding ground, they are vulnerable to bursting.

Similarly, slab leaks may be caused in part by the plumbing materials selected. Older homes frequently have cast iron as well as galvanized pipes. Although these materials are strong, with time they can rust and become clogged. Plastic pipes that are easy to work with and resistant to corrosion, such as PEX CPVC and PVC are now used in newer homes by plumbers of San Diego leak detection services.

3. Wear and Other External Factors

Water pipes encounter friction when they are in use because they rub up against other pipes, concrete, dirt, and other objects. Expansion is another problem that can lead to leaks in these structures over time, especially in hot water pipes.

Slab leaks may also result from groundwater seepage, underground streams, growing tree roots, and earthquakes.

4. Different Water Types

Water chemistry is another factor that contributes to pipe corrosion. Excessively alkaline or acidic water can cause corrosion in pipes. High alkaline levels in some soil and concrete types have the potential to harm plumbing lines.

Silent killers of foundations are slab leaks. You need to employ experts from slab leak detection in San Diego to spot warning indicators that something serious is developing beneath your house’s foundation.

Typical Warning Symptoms of a Slab Leak

Your water bills may increase initially, which is something you might notice while facing a slab leak. Additionally, there’s a likely chance that your water pressure will suddenly drop. Even with all of the faucets securely closed, other homeowners can still hear water rushing beneath their homes.

How to Detect a Slab Leak in Your House?

Your floor has water stains on it.
There are spaces between the wall and your flooring.
Opening windows or doors is difficult.
You see bubbling, water stains, or soft spots on your floor.
Certain parts of your home have a rise in mold and mildew
Your water heater or pump has burned out.
There are cracks in the foundation.

In the worst situation, slab leaks can cause your floor to explode from the pressure of the leak below. A slab leak accelerates foundation damage because it is a continuous source of seeping water. When such a situation arises, call the experts from EZ Plumbing immediately for slab leak detection in San Diego.

How to Fix a Slab Leak?

1. Cut off all sources of water.

Shut off all water-using appliances and faucets.
Verify that the irrigation system is turned off.

2. Examine the water meter.

Find the water meter box, which is usually in the basement or close to the curb.
Take off the cover to examine the meter face.

3. Seek out a leak detection dial that moves.

The dial could resemble a gear, triangle, or star.
There is a leak if it is moving.

4. Take note of the meter reading along with checking again in half an hour if there is no dial.

There could be a hidden leak when the reading seems higher.
Look for any variations in the reading on the meter over time.

If you suspect a slab leak is exhilarating, consider contacting a professional for a thorough slab leak detection in San Diego.

What is the Best Solution for Slab Leakage?

Three Ways to Fix a Slab Leakage

Jackhammering

To start, you can hire a licensed plumber for slab leak detection in San Diego to jackhammer off the concrete where the pipe is located, remove the leaky portion, and replace it. This is the path that a lot of homeowners take. However, there is an alternative.

Rerouting

To potentially prevent slab leaks in the future, you may also decide to reroute all of your water lines surrounding the slab. The water lines that enter your slab will be cut and capped during this process. After that, our plumbers will install a new pipeline that distributes water throughout your entire home and completely avoids the slab. This way, you won’t suffer foundation or slab damage if the new pipes leak.

Under the Slab Tunneling

The majority of homeowners who wish to save their pricey flooring opt for tunneling as a repair technique. You can stay in your house while the repairs are being done by San Diego leak detection services because the repair team is going to keep the clutter away from it.

The team repairing slab leaks will excavate functional tunnels beneath your house without compromising its structural soundness. After making the required repairs, they will replace the removed soil.

Final takeaway

You must take immediate action to stop additional damage if you fear there’s a leaky slab in your house. You can locate the leak, reduce water damage, and steer clear of expensive repairs by following the instructions provided. EZ Plumbing specializes in slab leak detection in San Diego as well as repair, so seek their advice if you can’t find the leak or fix it on your own.

Prevent expensive damage from a slab leak. Give EZ Plumbing a call right now for slab leak detection in San Diego.

FAQS

How can you tell if your home has a slab leak?

If water permeates the concrete, you might notice musty odors or damp patches on the walls or floor. Foundation heaving is one of the most serious effects of a slab leak, along with foundation shifting or cracking. This indicates a slab leak and you must call a plumber immediately for slab leak detection in San Diego.

If you think you might have a slab leak, what would you do?

If a water leak is not discovered, it can cause permanent harm. If you detect any indications of a leaky pipe, shut off the supply of water (if you can) and contact a licensed plumber right away. This consists of the unpleasant odor of mold growing from water beneath the carpets as well as audible cues like the continuous sound of running water.

Steps to Take If You Suspect a Slab Leak in Your Home