Whenever a leak is present in a pipe that is located under your homes foundation, it is called a slab leak. Slab leaks are primarily caused by shifting soil that leads to movement in plumbing pipes. The major problems presented with slab leaks are their hidden nature and difficulty to access. If left unrepaired slab leaks can cause serious damage to your homes foundation and lead to more pipe shifting and more slab leaks down the line.
Top 4 Reasons to Fix Slab Leaks Immediately
- High water bills that lead to greater plumbing issues
- Deterioriation of foundation
- Eventual cracks in your walls and floors
- Excess moisture can lead to mold infestation
Major Water Loss
When underground plumbing pipes corrode or break they will leak. A leaking pipe can spill hundreds of gallons every day. In fact, a small 1/32 inch leak can waste upwards of 260 gallons of water in a single day. That’s 7,930 gallons of water in a month! For perspective a 1/32 inch leak in a pipe is a pinhole about the 3x the size of a period on this page. That’s small!
Shifting Soil
When water is allowed to sit underneath the slab foundation of a home it leads to softening of the ground around the affected pipes. When base soil becomes too soft to support the foundation of a home the foundation itself can crack. A cracked foundation can lead to all sorts of different problems.
When soil shifts foundations become damaged. This means that your homes walls, flooring, and even it’s roof are all susceptible to severe and costly damage once your homes foundation has been compromised. If you have noticed cracks along the interior or exterior walls of your home, call a leak detection specialist immediately! Time is of the essence.
Mold & Mildew
Mold can truly be a silent killer. From types of toxic mold that contain mycotoxins, to others that cause allergy flare ups and everything in between, it is no secret that mold is a major threat to properties and the families that occupy them. All mold needs to grow and spread it’s spores is a dark, cool climate, and water. This is why hidden plumbing leaks are one of the leading causes of mold infestation in residential & commercial properties.
Early Detection is Key
One very common issue is that many homeowners may overlook the early warning signs of a slab leak. At first you may notice a small increase in your water bill, but you assume your usage just went up. Next you may notice a crack in the foundation outside your home but are unsure of what to make of it. Then as time goes by it might seem like out of the blue your homes baseboards are infested with mold and mildew growth.
It is important to be deligent when dealing with any and all plumbing leaks, especially those concealed underneath slabs. If you suspect a slab leak in your home we are here to help!
See why Metroplex Leak & Line Locators is the #1 Rated plumbing leak detection company in the entire Dallas Metroplex!
when dealing with any and all plumbing leaks, especially those concealed underneath slabs. If you suspect a slab leak in your home we are here to help!
See why Metroplex Leak & Line Locators is the #1 Rated plumbing leak detection company in the entire Dallas Metroplex!
