Plumbers in Hesperia, CA, discuss slab leaks, signs of a slab leak, and slab leak repairs.
What Are Slab Leaks?
For decades, the best practice for building pretty much any structure has been to build it on top of a large slab of reinforced concrete. The concrete slab provides the structure necessary to hold up the walls and ceiling of a home or business, and it also protects the structure from shifting soils and seismic forces. During the construction of such structures, much of the utilities, like water and electric wiring, are laid first, and the concrete is poured on top. This is a great way to protect piping, but it presents a problem when something goes wrong.
Slab leaks occur when the plumbing buried underneath a structure's slab starts to leak. They are a dreaded plumbing problem because the wasted water and water damage can be costly. The only consolation when dealing with slab leaks is early identification and working with professionals. Here is some information about slab leaks, how to identify them, and slab leak repair.
Signs of a Slab Leak
Spotting slab leaks early, before more damage can occur, can be the difference between a major headache and a minor inconvenience. Slab leaks can cause major problems for a home or business when left unattended. Some of the signs that there could be a slab leak are:
- Unexplained high water bills
- Moist spots on the lawn near the edge of the slab
- High humidity with no apparent source
- Buckled floors
- Wet carpets
- Moldy and musty odors
- Dripping, hissing, or the sound of running water coming from beneath the floor.
If these signs are present, plumbers should be called immediately. They can perform non-invasive tests to identify the source of the leak.
Why Are Slab Leaks Dangerous?
Slab leaks are so dangerous because they can do a lot of damage without anyone noticing. When pipes leak under a slab, the leaking water has to go somewhere. Water may leach upward through the slab, where it can ruin flooring, rot wood, or cause high humidity in living spaces above. Or, water can leak outward towards the edge of the slab. As water leaks out towards the edge of the slab, it can remove supporting soil as it goes, undermining the structural integrity of the slab.
The costs incurred when slab leaks occur can be surprising. Not only is there a cost for professionals to perform the repair, but if the leak has been allowed to continue for some time, there will be more costs to fix the water damage. Some of the extra costs associated with slab leak damage are:
- High water bills
- Insect infestations
- Foundation repairs
- Mold Remediation
- Wall and flooring replacement or repair
Responding quickly to slab leaks is always the best course of action to prevent water damage and repair expenses.
How Do Professionals Fix Slab Leaks?
Plumbers performing slab leak detection have numerous tools available for finding and locating slab leaks accurately and noninvasively. Accuracy is essential for slab leak repairs because part of the slab may have to be excavated, removed, and replaced during the repairs.
However, plumbers may also be able to fix the slab leak non-destructively with trenchless repair methods, where excavation isn’t needed. Hiring experts is the only way to ensure that repairs are done as quickly and non-invasively as possible. If slab leaks are suspected, always reach out quickly to stop the damage from worsening.
About Rooter 66 Plumbing Inc.
Rooter 66 Plumbing Inc. is a family-owned and operated business serving Rancho Cucamonga and the surrounding areas since 2012. They offer honest pricing, thorough communication, and extended hours. Call them today for slab leak repair in Hesperia, CA.