Slab Leak Repair

What is a Slab Leak?

A slab leak is an underground water leak that comes from plumbing that is under our concrete slab otherwise known as your foundation. The problem with slab leaks is that you may see a foundation shift. That’s due to the fact that the water from the leak can erode the soil around it which can damage the concrete from movement. Over time the foundation can buckle and shift which will crack it and possibly the home’s doors and walls. From single pipe damage to home demolition, a slab leak can quickly escalate if not addressed as soon as possible.

Signs You Have a Slab Leak

• Sudden spikes in your water bill.
• The sound of running water when pipes aren’t in use.
• Moisture or mildew under carpeting.
• A moving water meter dial when pipes aren’t in use.
• Standing water around the perimeter of your house.
• Unusually low water pressure.
• Cracks in your baseboard or walls.

Detecting a Slab Leak

Besides certain signs that can point to a slab leak occurring, tracing the origin of a leak can be hard to do without the help of a professional. That’s due to the fact that plumbing is often hidden from plain view. What’s more, pooling water or other outside signs of water will most likely drift away from the source of the leak. That’s why plumbers have equipped themselves with state-of-the-art technology that will be able to track pipe damages or leaks from various methods. A professional plumber will be able to utilize the right kind of leak detection equipment to locate leaks so that localized repairs can be made.

The type of leak detection equipment can be acoustic discs and ground microphones to thermal detection devices. While ground microphones can hear through thick layers of concrete and pick up on distinct sounds of water escaping thermal equipment will see heat signatures. No matter the method used, the location of the leak will be narrowed down and located.

Once a leak has been located a plumber will develop a plan of action that will best work with your property’s specifications as far as pipe repairs or replacements. Depending on the severity of pipe damages or the wear of pipes, whole house pipe replacements may be recommended. A professional plumber will be able to determine which course of action will be the most advisable and discuss plans with you.

When you’re needing expert slab leak repair in Fort Washington, MD, look no further than us and call us today for assistance.

Are slab leaks serious?

Slab leaks can range in severity depending on the age of your home, the stability of your foundation, the area where your foundation rests, and the extent of water damage. Slab leak issues can therefore range from ruined floors to the growth of hazardous mold, to more serious foundation problems. Get connected with a professional to learn more.

Can plumbers detect leaks?

Plumbers will have the proper leak detection equipment that will accurately and quickly trace the origin of leaks. Ground microphones and listening discs are used with acoustic listening to find leaks. Acoustic amplifiers can also be used to amplify the sound of leaks that may be too low to hear without the help of technology.

How is leak detection done?

Leak detection is typically done by tracing the sounds produced by leaks. An electronic leak detector will have a transducer that will be sensitive to the sounds of leaks coming from pipes. Once a sound registers on the machine it’s transmitted to a security system at a higher frequency. These frequencies can be visually traced to the area of the leak.