Many homes in Sherman, TX are designed with a slab foundation. These homes are constructed on top of concrete bases, which is a durable, cost-effective building method. Before the concrete is poured, the plumbing pipes are added in or under the foundation. Unfortunately, this means that a compromised pipe or sewer line can leak for a long time before it’s detected. If a slab leak is left undetected, the water damage to your home in Sherman can quickly spiral out of control. Once you notice a slab leak, it’s important to immediately reach out to us at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing®. Through proactive care, you can prevent future issues from taking place and avoid more extensive repairs.
What Is a Slab Leak?
A slab leak is any leak that happens in or beneath your home’s slab. Because there are so many pipes in this area, there are multiple opportunities for a leak to occur. Unfortunately, these leaks can be difficult to diagnose because you can’t see where they are with the naked eye. Instead, the only visible symptom is the secondary damage. Fortunately, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® has advanced tools that can find and repair the leak quickly. By getting professional help, you can efficiently resolve the issue before it causes structural damage.
Why Slab Leaks Happen
While each situation is different, there are a few common reasons why a slab leak may take place. One of the largest issues is natural shifting in the ground. Over time, homes in Texas will move. Weather, like droughts, high winds, and heavy flooding cause the ground to shift. Whenever the soil expands and contracts, it places an added strain on your slab. Eventually, this can damage pipes and cause a slab leak. While this shifting is imperceptible to the naked eye, it can significantly harm your foundation. Your area’s water type can contribute to leaks as well. Because hard water contains more minerals, it can cause additional pipe corrosion. Eventually, this can cause a leak to develop. Similarly, poor installation and damaged pipes can make a leak more likely. If the pipes are installed poorly, adding the weight of the house will only make them worse. Finally, abrasion can lead to leaks. Over time, pipes expand and contract as you use them. If they are in an area that has gravel, concrete, or other pipes, this can cause abrasion. Over a long enough period, the pipes can wear down, and leak.
What Happens If There’s a Leak?
If you have a slab leak, there are a few common symptoms you will likely encounter.
- Structural integrity issues with your home
- Damp spots or water damage on floors
- Sounds of dripping or running water
- Sinkholes and uneven settling
- Mildew and mold growth
- Higher water bills
- Soil erosion
A slab leak isn’t just a monetary or mechanical issue. Over time, the moisture can cause mold growth that harms your family’s health and well-being. Eventually, it will damage your home’s foundation and structural integrity. Next, we’ll get into more detail about some of these signs.
The Most Common Signs You Have a Slab Leak
By paying attention to the following indications, you can spot a slab leak before it becomes a major problem. If you think you have a leak, discuss it with our experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® right away.
1. Higher Water Bills
When there is a leaky pipe in your house, your water bill will go up. Even when no one is actively using water in your residence, you may also hear the sound of water running. Often, utility companies will show month-to-month water usage on each bill. This makes it easier to compare monthly changes, so you can tell when a leak is happening. You may also want to compare year-over-year changes because many homeowners use varying amounts of water throughout the year. A sudden increase indicates a major rupture. If your water use slowly increases over time, it means you may have a small leak that is gradually worsening.
2. Warm Spots on Your Floor
Note any warm spots on the floor. If a hot water pipe is leaking, it may cause the slab to be warmer in that area. A plumber can verify if this is an issue by using an infrared thermometer to detect the temperature around your home. Any warm spots that you find should be investigated as soon as possible. Electricity or gas heats your home’s hot water, so your utility bills will increase because of the added consumption. Over time, this higher usage can also impact the performance of your water heater.
3. Low Water Pressure
Pay attention to changes in your water pressure. A sudden decline may mean that water is escaping through a hidden part of your plumbing system. In addition to the risk of costly repairs, low water pressure also impacts your ability to shower or wash dishes.
4. Pooling Water and Signs of Moisture
If you notice any signs of moisture, you should reach out for professional help. For example, you may have soggy carpets, pooling water, or mold growth. It’s also important to check the outside of your home because water may pool around the building. Left unrepaired, this problem can damage your flooring material, subflooring, and foundation. It can also lead to mold and mildew growth, which can be very detrimental to your health.
5. Foundation Shifting or Cracks
The foundation may naturally shift or crack over time. Unfortunately, water leaks can increase the likelihood of your foundation cracking. As water leaks under your home, it expands in the soil. This causes shifting and uneven settling. Long-term water exposure can also weaken the concrete in your foundation. Because of how expensive this problem can be to repair, it’s important to diagnose the culprit quickly. To spot this issue, visually inspect for wall fissures. You can also check for cracks in the foundation on the outside of your home. Inside your home, a shifting foundation can cause windows and doors to stop fitting properly within their frames.
6. Musty Scents
Any water leak will eventually cause mold or mildew to grow. Typically, these organisms smell earthy and musty. This is especially common in spaces that are humid and warm. Since you can’t see the leak, you’ll need a plumber to inspect your property. They will use thermal imaging cameras, moisture meters, and other high-tech tools to diagnose the issue.
How Do Plumbers Detect Slab Leaks?
With the help of a professional plumber, you can quickly diagnose and locate slab leaks. We’ve already mentioned some of the tools an experienced plumber uses for leak detection. These include acoustic listening devices, pressure testing, and thermal imaging. They may also utilize infrared cameras and visual inspections. If none of these methods work, they can use slab penetration to find the exact source of the leak. This is where the plumber drills a small hole as an access point into your slab to find the source of the leak. Once the leak is fixed, the hole is patched up again.
Get Professional Assistance
At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing®, we use the most advanced tools in the industry to find the source of your leak. Then, we’ll quickly work to repair the leak and prevent future problems. To learn more or schedule a consultation, give us a call today.
