Understanding Slab Leaks and How They Are Addressed

If you notice that your water bill is quite high but you do not see any water leaks in your home, then you may have something called a slab leak. Keep reading to learn how a slab leak occurs and how a professional will actually investigate and locate the leak. 

How Does a Slab Leak Occur?

A slab leak is when a water pipe that is located underneath the concrete foundation of your home develops a hole. Oftentimes the leak is a smaller one or a pinhole-sized opening that grows enough to cause enough water to release that you start to notice it. And the leak can occur for a few different reasons. The most common one is when the foundation shifts and settles enough that it places significant pressure on the pipes. Over time, the pressure is enough to cause a leak. 

Also, pipes underneath your foundation may be in direct contact with large rocks and other kinds of debris. As the pipes rub against the rocks, holes can develop. This is most often an issue if the pipes are older ones made of iron or steel that are prone to corrosion. And corrosion itself can cause a slab leak to develop.

How Are the Leaks Found?

You will typically see some signs of a slab leak if there is one, and you should contact a plumbing professional as soon as possible if you note an issue. Some of the signs include portions of the foundation that appear cold or damp. And you may see some wet spots when you go into your basement. Poor water pressure throughout the home, the sudden formation of mold in your basement, and the pooling of water outside and close to your foundation are some other things to look for. 

When the plumbing professional comes to your house for an inspection, they will try to detect slab leaks. This usually requires the use of leak detection equipment. This equipment utilizes a microphone, headphones, and a monitor. The microphone picks up the sound of leaks, and the professional can listen to them on the headset. The monitor allows the plumber to increase or reduce the depth of the listening device and to gather information about the leak, like how much water is being released from the pipe damage. 

Once the leak is found, a plan is constructed to deal with it, and this often includes replacing the damaged pipe, adding insulation to protect the new water line, and attending to any damage that is noted around the foundation.

For more information, call a slab leak detection service.