Overview: Do you smell mold or mustiness emanating from your floors? Have weird warm spots started appearing? Are your floorboards buckling — and are your water bills spiking all of a sudden? Unfortunately, you may have a slab leak. But don’t panic! In this blog, we’ll help you learn the signs of a slab leak and what to do next!
A slab leak can be a serious problem that can lead to costly damage to your home or business. Slab leaks occur when the water supply or drainage pipes that run beneath the concrete foundation of your home or business start to leak. Since these pipes aren’t visible, it isn’t uncommon for property owners to run into leaking problems unexpectedly — as it can be difficult to detect a slab leak until it has already caused significant damage.
These slab leaks can strike on hot or cold water lines and may appear on any drain line from appliances that use water. To avoid disaster, it’s important to know what causes slab leaks and how to identify them. Today, we will discuss the signs that you may have a slab leak and what to do next to avoid further madness in your plumbing system!
Signs of a Slab Leak :
Increased Water Bills: One of the first signs that you may have a slab leak is an unexplained increase in your water bills. If your bill keeps spiking even though your water usage has not changed, it’s possible that you have a leak somewhere in your plumbing system. If you can’t find a leak in any of your visible fixtures or pipes, it might be a slab leak.
Decreased Water Pressure: If you notice a decrease in water pressure throughout your home, it could be a sign that there is a leak somewhere in your plumbing system. A slab leak is a common cause of decreased water pressure, as the leak can prevent water from flowing at its full capacity.
>> Related Reading: A Homeowner’s Guide to Water Pressure
Wet or Damp Flooring: Have you discovered wet or damp spots on your flooring, with no immediately obvious cause? Unfortunately, this could be a sign of a slab leak! This is even more likely if the spots appear on concrete floors or on floors that are in direct contact with your home’s foundation.
Mold or Mildew Growth: A slab leak can also lead to the growth of mold and mildew in your property. A leak in your foundation can create a damp environment that is ideal for mold and mildew to grow. If you notice any nasty mold or mildew in your property, it could be a sign of a slab leak.
Cracks in the Foundation: If a crack appears in your property’s foundation, don’t ignore it. There are multiple possible reasons why your walls or foundation show cracks — and a slab leak is one of them. This is because the constant flow of water can cause the foundation to shift and crack over time if not taken care of properly.
What to Do Next ?
So you suspect that you have a slab leak. What do you do? Well, it’s important to act promptly to minimize the damage to your home.
Here are the steps you should take next:
Turn off the Water: The first thing you should do if you suspect a slab leak is to turn off the water supply to your home. This will prevent any additional water from leaking into your home and causing more damage.
Contact a Professional Plumber: While there are many plumbing tasks you can take over, it’s better to contact a professional plumber like NIR Plumbing who has experience in detecting and repairing slab leaks. A plumber can use specialized equipment to locate the source of the leak and repair it quickly and effectively.
Get a Professional Inspection: After the plumber has repaired the leak, it is important to have a professional inspection of your property’s plumbing system. An inspection performed by an expert can help identify potential problems you might otherwise be unaware of — before they escalate from problem to catastrophe.
This will also help to ensure that there are no additional leaks or other issues that could cause further damage to your home. Modern plumbing technology is a wonderful thing!
Consider a Slab Leak Detection System: To prevent future slab leaks, you may want to consider installing a slab leak detection system. This system uses sensors to detect leaks in your home’s plumbing system and can alert you to potential issues before they become major problems.
>> Related Reading: How do leak detection systems work?
Check Your Insurance Policy: Last but not the least, it’s important to check your homeowner’s or commercial insurance policy to see if it covers the cost of repairs for slab leaks. Some policies do not cover this type of damage, so it is important to know what your policy covers, and to be prepared for any out-of-pocket expenses.
In Summary:
A slab leak can be a serious problem that can cause extensive damage to your property. By being aware of the signs of a slab leak and taking prompt action if you suspect that you have one, you can minimize the damage and keep your home safe and dry.
When you suspect you may have a slab leak — or when you need help taking the required next steps — contact a professional plumber who has experience in detecting and repairing slab leaks. You can count on our team at NIR Plumbing to evaluate your system, run any necessary tests, and take action to take care of your slab leak as quickly as possible!
