Schrader Plumbing Blog
Warning Signs You Have A Slab Leak
In order to understand slab leaks– it helps to grasp how your home was built. If you have a slab foundation, before they poured the concrete for it- plumbing pipes were roughed in. Because of this- many of your home’s main plumbing lines are found underneath your home. So, a water slab leak is a leak in the water pipes under your home and a sewer slab leak is in the sewer pipes under your home– specifically, under the foundation or concrete slab that your home is built upon. Unfortunately, since you don’t have x-ray vision, this means that when a leak occurs, it can go undetected for a long time and cause serious damage to your foundation and flooring.
We would like to share some of the warning signs of a slab leak, so you can find the issue early, mitigate the damage, and hopefully prevent costly repairs.
Hot Spots on Your Floor
Slab leaks can occur in hot water lines. If hot water is seeping through the slab, this can cause the flooring directly above the leak to be warm or even hot to the touch. If you’ve noticed that some areas of your flooring feel warm when you walk on it, but other areas aren’t- You should have a plumber out to investigate a possible slab leak. You will be able to feel this easier if you have hardwood, linoleum, laminate, or other solid flooring types.
Hissing Noises
Hissing noises are one of the most commonly reported symptoms of a slab leak. The hissing sound a leak makes will travel many feet along the pipe and even become amplified at places like shower valves and angle stops(fixture shut-off valves).
Mold Smell
Mold thrives where a lot of moisture is present. If there is water leaking under your floors from a slab leak for a long period of time- it is the perfect environment for mold growth. Mold spores may start forming under your carpet, after which you may notice several patches of warped or darkened flooring. Even if you can’t see any signs of mold or mildew, you probably won’t miss the smell. A musty odor coming from your floors could indicate the presence of mildew. The mildew can also spread through your walls and cause further widespread damage. Worse yet-mold spores can cause you and your family severe health issues. You may have to replace the flooring and drywall to rid your home of mold.
There’s a Spike in Your Water Bill
When you have a leak, your water runs continually- not just when it’s turned on. Since your water is running all of the time, your water bill costs are much higher than normal. A sudden spike in your water bill without any explanation, such as guests in your home increasing your average water usage, can indicate a leak. If you can’t find a leak within your home, it could point toward a slab leak.
Look for cracks or damage
Another obvious sign of a slab leak is damaged or warped hardwood and laminate flooring. And as a slab leak progresses, it will eventually cause damage to your foundation’s structure. With a shifting foundation, you may notice cracks in the floor or walls of your home.
Water protrusion from slab or ground
When you start to notice leaks, the situation is escalating and needs to be handled as quickly as possible. Pools of water and other leaks are an indicator that the water is not only leaking from the pipes, but it is also leaking so much that it is getting through the walls. If your floor is constantly wet, even when you didn’t take a shower, this could be due to a leak.
You Notice Lower Water Pressure
If you experience unexplained low water pressure in the pipes connected to your bathroom or kitchen, the cause is likely a continuous slab leak. A plumbing leak in the main water line feeding your home can leave you with insufficient water for your household needs and further damage your slab. Even a tiny slab leak can lead to a significant change in your water pressure. Make sure you pay attention to your water pressure when you are using your water to stay on top of slab leaks.
Toilet or Tub Is Backing Up
If your toilet or tub isn’t draining properly, it could be a result of a sewer slab leak. Once you’ve determined which fixtures aren’t functioning correctly, you can try to identify any other possible sources of the problem. If another cause can’t be identified, the plumbing failure could be a result of a slab leak on your sewer system.
You Can Hear Rushing Water
If you suspect that you may have a leak under your floors, try turning off all sources of water in your home (faucets, dishwasher, washing machine, etc.). Then, head to the first floor of your home and listen closely for the sound of rushing water. If you still hear water running, this is a surefire sign of a slab leak that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
If you think you might have a slab leak and would like one of our professional plumbers at Schrader Plumbing to come out and take a look, We’re here to help! We know how scary it can be surrounding a potential slab leak and are there for you every step of the way. Call today! 817-262-0989.
Categories: Slab Leak,By: Michelle Kurcina
Last modified:
Last Modified: April 14, 2022 at 4:02 pm
