Are you concerned that you may have a leaking pipe under your foundation? If there is a water leak, it’s either coming from a water or sewer line. While repairing the damaged line isn’t too difficult, locating the leak and gaining access to it is another story.
Once the leak is located, an experienced plumber will have to cut and chisel their way through the concrete to repair the broken pipes.
What are the Signs of a Slab Leak?
Sometimes, simply walking around your home barefoot will give you clues as to where the water lines are leaking. There are several signs that indicate a possible slab leak, including:
- Water spots on the floor, whether hardwood floors, linoleum, or seeing water spots on drywall, including mildew or mold spots
- Damp spots on the floor or puddles
- A significantly high water bill (as compared to normal)
- The sound of rushing water underneath the floor
- Lower water pressure than normal from your plumbing system such as faucets, hot water and cold water lines, when running water (water pressure will fluctuate, but not to the point where the water pressure is so low when there’s no other faucets/washing machine/hoses are running)
- You’re able to see leaking water outside of your home
A leaking sewer line is a whole other problem. Usually, sewer line leaks go undetected for some time until there are visible signs of damage to the foundation of your home. If the home is located on expansive soil, the leaking sewer line can cause the slab to swell to the point that it “lifts” the building, and can also cause cracks and damage to a concrete foundation or especially a slab foundation.
Another telltale sign of a sewer leak is when there is a dome-like or raised section in the floor, or if you feel hot spots in the floor; these warm spots can be an indication your hot water lines, or water heater, has a leak. If these copper pipes experience corrosion, the hot water pipe can cracks and cause a leak (which will also provide less water to the plumbing system, resulting in a possible drop in water pressure) This warping in the floor is something every homeowner should look out for is you’re experiencing an issue with your plumbing system.
Locating an “Elusive” Leak
Often, the only way to accurately locate an elusive concrete slab leak is to use a specialized listening device for this kind of leak detection. Once the water is shut off, air is pumped into the line to force the remaining water out. This process allows the plumber to listen for the escaping air, which comes out of the damaged pipe. These plumbing problems can be experienced by both older homes and newer homes, and our plumbing services can assist nearly any homeowner in the Kansas City metro area.
If the culprit is a leaking sewer line, it will usually require the service of an experienced plumber due to the pipes used for sewer lines and the health issues associated with exposure to human excrement.
Slab leak repair is not the one of the types of leaks you want to see happening to your home, as they can cause significant damage to your home’s foundation.
Contact Our Professional Plumbers in Kansas City Today!
Do you suspect that you have a slab leak? Contact A-1 Sewer & Septic Service Inc. for professional help! Once we locate the source of the leak, we can ascertain the best and a most cost-effective way to go about repairing it.
Call 913-631-5201 to schedule a service call!
