30 Jul What To Do If You Have A Slab Leak
What Causes A Slab Leak
Along with sunburn and mosquitoes, slab leaks are the great scourge of summertime. Insidious and invasive, they can be a headache for any homeowner. There are four primary conditions that cause a leaky slab.
- Soil chemicals can lead to the corrosion of pipes and concrete. Hot water pipes, which corrode due to chemical and heat influences, are particularly vulnerable to this problem.
- Vibration of pipes that eventually causes them to wear down.
- Pressure problems that stem from improper installation or shifting ground.
- Improper construction practices on the part of a builder or contractor.
There’s really no way you can visually identify a slab leak. Only professionals with high-tech tools can pinpoint if there’s a leak, and where it occurs. However, there are certain signs that can be indicative of a slab leak.
- Increasing water bills that don’t match your usage.
- Sound of running water with no obvious source
- Inexplicable mold growth
- Low water pressure
- Moistened baseboards
- Wet floors and carpets, again with no obvious source
- A shifting foundation
What To Do About A Slab Leak
Slab leaks are dangerous, no doubt. But they don’t have to be expensive.
Multiple solutions exist for dealing with a slab leak. You’ll want to avoid working with a contractor, however, who recommends jack-hammering the foundation to find the problem, as this is generally the costliest and invasive solution.
Instead, opt to work with a contractor—like Ben Franklin Plumbing— who is experienced in innovative detection methods such as:
Epoxy restoration requires little demolition to the home. The contractor needs to only make two access holes to access the leak for repair.
Re-piping is often the method of choice when multiple leaks exist. It’s also a very thorough solution to putting a permanent stop to leaks. The contractor will install an entirely new, durable piping system that utilizes expansion to ensure secure fittings and a leak-free system. Be sure to ask about the system’s warranty; ideally, it should cover problems over its lifetime.
Pipe re-routing requires demolition and is the go-to choice when pipes in walls and floors must be replaced, too. The methodology is ideal if only a short amount of pipe needs to be replaced, so as to limit demolition and labor costs.
Dealing with a slab leak requires expert advice. Work with a trusted, reputable professional who holds vast experience helping homeowners remedy foundation leaks. The best course of action to take may not always be the least costly. Be sure to consider all your options, and choose the one that will provide a comprehensive solution to leaks, and prevent further problems down the line.
If you suspect you might have a slab leak, call Ben Franklin Plumber Phoenix and schedule an appointment today.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Tyler serves the East Texas cities of Kilgore, Longview, Tyler, and Whitehouse with a team of certified plumbers. In addition to emergency plumbing repair, some of the plumbing services provided by the company include faucet repair, drain services, toilet repair, plumbing fixture installations, tub and shower installations, kitchen sink repair, faucet installation, water heater repair/replacement, and garbage disposal replacement. Call us today at (903) 730-6611 to schedule an appointment!