What Are Slab Leaks?
Slab leaks occur when there is a leak in the water supply or sewer pipes beneath the concrete foundation (slab) of a building, typically residential homes.
There are several causes of slab leaks, including poor installation, corrosion, high water pressure, or the settling and shifting of the slab foundation over time.
The leaks may go unnoticed for a while, but signs often include unexplained damp spots on the floor, a sudden increase in water bills, or even the sound of running water when all faucets are turned off.
If left unaddressed, slab leaks can cause substantial damage to the property's foundation and structural integrity, as well as contribute to mold growth and compromise indoor air quality.
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How Do Slab Leaks Affect My Home?
Slab leaks pose a series of potential problems and can lead to serious consequences if not addressed promptly.
The continuous seepage of water from the leaking pipes can gradually weaken the foundation of your home, causing cracks and shifts in the concrete slab. Over time, this structural damage can compromise the stability of your entire house.
Moreover, the presence of moisture from the leak encourages mold growth, posing possible health risks. If left unattended, slab leaks can lead to extensive water damage to flooring, walls, and belongings, resulting in costly repairs and replacements.
Recognizing the early signs of slab leaks, such as unexplained damp spots, musty odors, or unusually high water bills, is crucial in preventing further damage.
Can I Detect a Slab Leak Myself?
Detecting a slab leak can be tricky as the pipes are located beneath the foundation of the house, making the problem difficult to identify. However, there are several warning signs of a leak under slab:
- Damp and Mold: Certain areas of the floor or carpet may be damp or discolored, which could be an indication of water seeping through the foundation.
- Increased Water Use: If your water bill seems unexpectedly high or your water meter increases when all your faucets and appliances are turned off, it's possible that you may have a slab leak. However, this method may not detect smaller leaks.
- The Sound of Running Water: Another sign to look out for is the sound of running water when there are no faucets or appliances in use. If the sound persists even after all the water sources are turned off, it could be a sign of a slab leak.
If you have discovered a leak in the plumbing underneath your slab, it is important to act quickly to minimize the damage to your home by shutting off your home's main water supply valve. (Note: this is the only way to temporarily stop a slab water leak.)
How is a Slab Leak Repair Performed?
There are two options when performing a slab leak repair of your water pipes:
Replacing the Damaged Pipes in the Foundation
This involves opening up your concrete slab with a jackhammer to expose and access the leaking pipes. This method is both intrusive and expensive. We have seen some quotes that often exceed the cost of a full home repipe.
We describe "in-slab" repair as a 'temporary' solution, because whatever caused the slab leak once has a high likelihood of happening again in another part of the slab.
A Complete Home Repipe
The only way to prevent a slab leak is to avoid having fresh water lines located in or underneath a concrete slab.
Our full home repiping service does just that. We cap off the fresh water lines that are already in or under your slab, leaving them in place. We then route all your new plumbing through walls, ceilings, and attics, avoiding the slab and preventing future slab leaks.
Our whole home repipes will also generally be much less disruptive than jackhammering open your slab to access and replace leaking pipes. With our One-Stop Repipe™ Process, we can complete a repipe of your entire home in just 1-2 days, and handle everything from inspections to wall patching - all backed by a lifetime warranty.
Is Repiping Necessary to Permanently Fix Slab Leaks?
Other than not having a slab foundation in the first place, the only way to permanently fix a slab leak is to avoid having fresh water lines located in or underneath a concrete slab.
A complete home repipe is the most cost-effective method to ensure that you can avoid any future leaks. We have a detailed article on the differences between repairing and repiping after a slab leak.
While it may seem like a significant undertaking, a full home repipe is the most effective and long-lasting solution, especially if your property is older or experiences frequent slab leak issues.
Our repiping experts will conduct a thorough assessment and recommend the best materials, such as copper or PEX, to ensure the longevity and efficiency of your new plumbing system.
How Much Does Repiping a Slab Leak Cost?
Most of our full home slab leak repipes cost between $4,500 for smaller homes and $15,000 for larger properties with more complex requirements and longer pipe runs. We break down all the cost factors in our article How Much Does It Cost to Repair A Slab Leak?
Here at Repipe Specialists, we only perform full home repipes. We have heard from customers that in some cases, the cost of our whole home repiping services was lower than the cost of replacing a section of damaged pipe within a slab. This is particularly true for homeowners who've performed multiple in-slab repairs over time.
Get the peace of mind that comes from never having to worry about slab leaks again: contact us to receive a free fixed price repipe quote from one of our local estimators.
Get a Quote for Permanently Repairing Slab Leaks
Here at Repipe Specialists, we've completed thousands of slab leak repipes across the country, rerouting the home's plumbing through walls and ceilings so there is no possibility of slab leaks occurring. We continually get positive customer feedback from customers about their overall home repipe experiences. We often exceed their expectations on:
- Speed: Our repipe crews typically complete a repipe in a day, returning on another day for wall patching.
- Convenience: Through our One-Stop Repipe™ process, we handle everything from permits, to wall patching, to inspections.
- Cleanliness: Our crews are trained to protect your home while working (we cover all surfaces with protective sheeting), and to clean up fully at the end of each day.
- Peace of Mind: Repipe Specialists is a fully licensed plumber in every state we operate in, and we back all of our repipes with a lifetime warranty.
- Financing programs: To help take the sting out of unplanned repipe expenses, we offer several financing programs.
- Price: As a specialist that performs hundreds of repipes a week, we can deliver high-quality repipes at a lower cost vs generalist plumbers. We have an article that covers repipe cost factors in detail.
Schedule a free in-home consult, and one of our local repipe consultants will explain all your repipe options and provide you with a written, fixed-price quote. Get a repipe and avoid slab leaks forever.