Many homes have been built on concrete slabs. This is an efficient building practice, but can create serious plumbing problems in the future, as the home ages. When installing the plumbing system during construction, the pipes are laid prior to pouring the concrete, and after pouring, fully encased. In some cases, the pipes are laid in the dirt beneath the slab. Unfortunately, should a pipe crack, break, or burst, you have a real problem on your hands.

Under Slab Plumbing

If you have concerns about the state of repair of under slab plumbing or have noticed any leaks, particularly in an aging home, our team at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in can help you identify the source and get it repaired efficiently. Your bathroom plumbing diagram under the concrete slab may no longer be available, but we have equipment that will reveal piping, whether in the bathroom or any other area in which they are placed in the concrete slab. If you are remodeling your bathroom on your own (more power to you!) or want to install a new bathroom, there is plenty to understand before you begin. If you are having a new home built, with pipes being laid in the concrete slab, it is well worth having every detail checked by a professional before the concrete is poured – for obvious reasons!

Rough In: Be Careful During Cement Pour

The plumbing system build starts with a “concrete slab plumbing rough in.” This is when the plumbing contractor puts the pipes in place, prior to the cement being poured. Your plumbing contractor should be present when the concrete is poured to ensure no pipe or vent is shoved or kicked out of place. Installing plumbing in the concrete slab requires skill and accuracy, as well as a full knowledge of the building codes in the Cedar Rapids area.

If you are in the process of building a home on a concrete slab foundation, whether you are doing it yourself or working with contractors, ensure you work in close collaboration so that everything is done right. Nothing is more critical when it comes to the plumbing system. Before any rough-in for under slab plumbing, you need a professional plumbing diagram. Although you can look these up, it is well worth the time and money to have the plumbing section performed by a professional. Any leak, error, or other mistake will, in the end, likely cost you thousands to repair, because it will involve cutting through the concrete slab, creating dust, noise and an uproar you can live without.

Repairing Pipes Under a Concrete Slab

Pipes under a concrete slab can corrode over time, particularly in homes with case iron pipes, those impacted by tree roots, or those that have shifted when the foundation was repaired. The first sign of an under-slab leak can be an uneven floor area, wall crack, or doors that have begun to stick. Some homeowners notice the problem by hearing water running, even when all systems are off. Repairing the pipe may involve slab penetration (jackhammer), or tunneling. No matter how complex the problem, it can be solved efficiently and correctly by a professional plumber.

Our team at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Cedar Rapids has specialized equipment to test and identify, as well as fully repair leaks under or within a concrete slab. Let us help you protect your home