In the home, leaks can happen occasionally. Even the most careful homeowner is susceptible to it. It’s a good thing that many of the most frequent leaks happen in reasonably simple places, such as the space behind a sink, the shower, or the toilet. These leaks can frequently be repaired with a few common household plumbing equipment because they are simple to identify.
What Exactly Is A Slab Leak?
Sadly, some leaks can occur where they are difficult to find, let alone correct. Most homeowners may take a while to realize they have a problem when a pipe beneath the slab foundation of their home leaks. Because of the burst pipe, water is now seeping into the ground and the house’s foundation. In addition to squandering water, the leak can erode the soil nearby and harm the concrete. The house’s walls and floors could crack due to the foundation buckling and shifting over time. It might even lead to some of the houses collapsing in extreme circumstances. You can find professionals to help with leak detection Austin.
Many homeowners may not even know of a slab foundation leak until they receive a utility bill with a significantly higher-than-average water bill. Following that, most homeowners will examine all of the standard suspects in water leak concerns, including hoses, showers, toilets, and faucets inside and outside the home, to see if they can find the leak. Often, a homeowner will miss the dreaded slab leak during and after this inspection process.
Slab Leak Warning Signs
Here are some tips to assist you in finding the leak if you think there may be one under the slab foundation of your house.
Increased Water Bill
An early sign that you have a serious leak is frequently when your water bill suddenly increases without a corresponding increase in the basic cost of service or your family’s water consumption.
A Heaving Foundation
If the slab of your foundation swells significantly, your building may be somewhat lifted. This occurrence is known as heaving. You must immediately seek professional help with the repair if your home has experienced heaving due to a leak under the slab foundation.
The “Dome” Is Raised In The Floor
You might see warps in the shape of your flooring if a leak is serious enough and persists for a long time. Creating a “dome,” or raised region in the floor, is frequent in areas with significant water damage.
Warm Areas on the Flooring
By looking for unusually warm places on your floor, you might be able to pinpoint the leak’s position if your home’s hot water line is the problem. This can be pretty simple if your floor is carpeted or has a weak layer of linoleum. This can be more challenging for a tile floor until the leak is so bad that water seeps between the adhesive and the tiles. If so, your tile flooring may also exhibit other water damage indicators. Finding a warm place on the floor may become more challenging if the floor is hardwood.
Fixing a Slab Leak
What steps should you take to fix the issue now that you have found the slab leak? This process will be challenging, untidy, and frequently expensive for the typical person. The use of a professional plumbing firm is strongly advised since several issues that the average do-it-yourself homeowner isn’t prepared to handle could develop during the repair.
Conclusion
Do not hesitate to seek the assistance of a plumbing professional if you require additional guidance on locating, fixing, and cleaning up after a significant leak in your home. Almost often, it is preferable to start the project with a professional.