Detecting and repairing under slab water leak often seems a daunting job. Actually, this is partially true. Detecting and locating slab water leaks is undoubtedly a tough task to handle but repairing it is definitely a piece of cake.
Leak Detection
Several symptoms that indicate leakage under a slab include:
- Water spots on the floor under the slabs
- Clear sounds of flowing water even when the main valves are turned off
- If undetected for long, you will notice a significant rise in your water bill
- Minor or large cracks on nearby walls or doors
- Excessive moisture under the carpets or growth of mildew
- Damp floors
- White powder on the floor
The foundation of slabs also signifies leakage under the floor. Underground water leak detection is tougher than under-slab leak detection as it does not show clear signs and may be left undetected for months. Sewer leakage occurs in areas with heavy soil or where water pipes corrode. If there is leakage in the sewer, an unchecked water supply will swell up the slabs, a sign of underground leakage. Sometimes, the slabs may swell up to several inches if left unchecked.
If you are unable to detect the under-slab leakage with the aforementioned symptoms, then you better hire a professional to detect it. Modern plumbers, like those at Mesa Plumbing Company, use high definition plumber CCTV cameras to find leakage spots. We have a team of expert plumbers who detect a faulty point within 10 minutes.
Why Hire a Professional Plumber for Detection?
You are good to go if you have detected the leakage point. In order to repair the leakage, you need to open up the slab and repair it later. Opening a slab means a lot of mess on your furniture and surroundings. Sometimes the floor may also be damaged. So it is highly recommended that you hire a professional instead of wasting money on extra repairs.
How to Repair the Slab Water Leak?
- Detect the problem area.
- Cover the nearby furniture and remove all the delicate items from surrounding.
- Open up the slab.
- Locate the leaking pipe.
- Mark the length of the pipe that is leaking and cut it out.
- Install a new piece of pipe in place of the old one.
Expert Tip: Don’t buy a new pipe before opening the slab. The pipe type depends on the age of the house. Old houses have cast iron pipes whereas new houses have PVC pipes. You may also install a PVC pipe in a cast iron pipe. Read our DIY Guide to Repair and Install Cast Iron Pipe in Commercial and Residential Sewer.
Grandpa Jim James, the founder of Mesa Plumbing Company, has been delivering on his promises of 24/7 emergency plumbing service under the slogan ‘We Will be There!’ Secure your valued properties with our expert plumbing services and become a member of our happy customer family.