A slab leak is one of those nightmare plumbing scenarios. Since all the plumbing components are underneath a layer of concrete, even a simple fix is hard to manage — not to mention expensive. Luckily, detecting leaks from slabs is a common service offered by most plumbing companies.
In these inspections, your local plumbing contractor will help identify the root cause of your slab leak and offer up some solutions. Ready to learn more about slab and sewer leak detection? We’ve got you covered; just read on.
Are you searching for a local company to provide services for plumbing in Dallas, TX? Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling and Heating is here to help. If sewer smells or water leaks are causing you problems, give us a call at 972-291-0740 today.
What is a Slab Leak?
In some areas, contractors build homes on top of concrete slabs. This means that home builders will install your home’s plumbing system underneath the concrete. In a perfect world, that plumbing system would last forever. Unfortunately, in reality, pipes and other components have a lifespan. When things finally break, it’s up to the current homeowner to remedy the situation.
In most cases, you’ll need to replace plumbing and sewer pipes. As you might imagine, having everything buried underneath a huge layer of concrete presents a unique set of problems. This makes repairing a leak underneath a concrete slab one of the most expensive plumbing fixes.
What Causes Leaks in Slabs?
Underneath your home is a huge network of pipes. These usually come in two forms:
- Supply lines — These provide the water for your home.
- Sewer lines — All the outgoing water from your home’s plumbing system, including wastewater, use these lines to connect with a city sewer or septic system.
While normal wear and tear are often the culprits if your property has slab leaks, that’s not always the case. Your environment can also play a huge role in how frequent slab leaks occur. If you’re in an area with frequent earthquakes, it could mean the shifting of the concrete slab can snap and break pipes. If your home is older, it can mean you’re more prone to slab leaks as corroded and old pipes can often be the source.
It’s often the case that slab leak issues go unnoticed. While the smell of a sewer line is sure to get your attention, things may get confusing if you have a leak in your water supply lines. This is because your only sign might be that your utility bill is abnormally high. But this is a symptom of a lot of different plumbing issues like leaky toilets and faucets. If you think you might have a slab leak issue, contact your local service for plumbing in Dallas, TX.
Warning Signs of Slab and Sewer Leaks
How do you know if your sewer line is broken? Well, you’ll probably notice a very off-putting smell. The best-case scenario is that this might be the fault of a failed flange in your toilet. If it’s not, though, it will mean you need to fix the leak in your sewer lines.
That’s the obvious symptom. If it happens to be your water supply lines causing your issues, you’ll need to pay attention to some other warning signs.
- Hot spots on the floor — One sign of a leaking supply line underneath the slab is if you find abnormally hot areas of the floor. This might mean that the hot water supply line is leaking.
- Raised dome in your floor — If a supply line leak is causing water to pool underneath the floor, you may notice damage to the flooring in the form of warping or raised dome-like areas.
- Water bill increases — When a leak goes untreated, it means water will constantly be pouring into your foundation. If you’re keeping an eye on your water bill, you might be able to catch a leak in the numbers.
- Foundation heaving — If a leak is severe enough, it can actually cause the entire foundation of your home to lift. This is a situation that requires immediate attention as foundation heaving can cause some serious damage.
You might also notice leaks in your yard. If you’ve got abnormally wet or soggy spots, it could indicate a slab issue. Pooling water is another sign of slab leaks. Inside your home, cracks in the sheetrock and separations in the crown molding might be symptoms of slab leaks, too.
Should You Consider Professional Slab Leak Detection?
If you see any possible signs of a sewer or supply line leak in your home, you’ll need to call your local service for sewer leak detection in Dallas, TX. Detection services might include using specialized snake cameras for inspecting your pipes. Your plumber might also use inflatable rubber bladders to help isolate areas for testing.
This will give you the best assessment of the problem. Listen, fixing a slab leak can get expensive. It usually requires a plumbing company to come in and tunnel underneath your home for a full pipe replacement. Allowing for thorough testing and detection is your best bet to ensure that all the work is necessary.
Additionally, if there happens to be a leak in the sewer line, it could mean a hazardous working environment. The last thing you probably want to deal with is the nasty wastewater that comes out of your sewer lines. This is a job best left for your local service for plumbing in Dallas, TX.
Where to Find Reliable Sewer Leak Detection in Dallas, TX
If you think a slab or sewer leak is causing your problems, make sure to call Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling and Heating. Not only do we offer a huge list of services for plumbing in Dallas TX, but we can also help you inspect your plumbing system thoroughly for slab leaks and other issues.
Our qualified plumbing professionals are always on standby to help with emergency services like slab leak repairs. Get in touch online to schedule an appointment.
Author Bio:
Sherrie Johnson-Hartsock
Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling & Heating is now owned and operated by Sherrie Johnson-Hartsock, with his grandson, Daniel Johnson, a third-generation plumber who is also the Service Manager.