A slab leak happens when a pipe running under a cement slab leaks. This is often caused by corrosion and natural wear, and it can lead to severe water damage. While you might think your entire piping system runs through the walls of your house, it also connects to the city pipeline to deliver water to your home. From the water main, the pipes then run under the cement slab of your property to the points where they connect to the pipes that run through your walls and to your fixtures. When you suspect a leak, call West Plumbing LLC to have our licensed and insured technicians handle the repairs!
Do you suspect there’s a leak on your property, but you’re not sure where it is? Call us to schedule water leak detection services in Maricopa county.
Slab Leak Repair Requires More Expertise Than Other Plumbing Repairs
Slab leak repairs require a little more skill, expertise, and tolerance than other plumbing repairs. West Plumbing LLC has the skills needed for this work. We are licensed, bonded, and insured for all residential projects, including leak repair that occurs under the home, not just in the home.
Signs and Symptoms of a Slab Pipe Leak
To limit the damage caused by a slab leak, it’s essential to find the leak as soon as possible. Some signs you should watch for include:
- Your water bill is unexpectedly high. Having a leak anywhere is the same as leaving the hose on in your yard -- only, in this case, you might not see the pooling because it occurs under a cement slab, which is why it may go unnoticed until you receive the monthly bill.
- Your floor has hot spots. This is more indicative of a hot water line pipe leak. As the hot water accumulates the heat transfers to the surrounding environment, including the slab itself and the floor of your home. You will likely notice this by walking barefoot in your house.
- You see moisture, pooling, or mold around the perimeter of your home. Depending on where the leak is or how long it is permitted to continue, the water can eventually reach the edge of your house and that allows the rest of nature to interact with it, which is how the mold can occur.
- You can hear water running, even when all your faucets are off. Turning off all the faucets may even be something you’ve already done at this point. It’s common to hear it and wonder where it’s coming from when you’ve consciously checked every place where water is supposed to be turned off.
- Your water meter is still running even after you’ve turned off all faucets.
- You see water or moisture coming from underneath the floor. Sometimes the water can penetrate the cement slab, which causes water damage to the floor and walls near where the leak is occurring.
Any signs or symptoms can be indicators of other problems besides a leak under a slab, so part of the plumber’s job is determining the actual problem. If you notice any of these issues, it’s important to call West Plumbing LLC to have our experts inspect the issue.
Act fast when your main water line needs repairs. Contact us to schedule water line services.
What To Do if You Suspect a Slab Leak
If you suspect a leak anywhere in the home, under the cement slab, or in the walls, then the first step is to call West Plumbing LLC so that we can come as soon as possible. The sooner we can see what is going on, the sooner we can repair the issue and get the water supply to your home turned back on.
The next step is to turn off the home water supply. Usually, you’ll find the valve on the side of your home.
Once our experts arrive, they will guide you through the rest of the process.
Is a Slab Leak Covered by Homeowner’s Insurance?
When you have a slab leak at your property, you might wonder if the repairs will be covered by your home insurance. While you will need to talk to your agent to ask about your particular policy, in general, insurance policies will cover sudden or accidental damage but not damage that has occurred with natural wear over time. If your particular policy covers it, then the process would be for you to pay the plumber and then get reimbursed by insurance. We do not bill the insurance directly, which is standard among all plumbers. It’s different from a doctor’s office or a car accident.
How Slab Leaks Are Repaired
When a plumber arrives at your property to repair the slab leak, the first thing the technician will do is find the leak. Then, the expert will propose options for repair with minimal damage to the home. Some common types of repair methods can include:
- Trenchless pipe repair: This is the most non-invasive method to repair the leak. Our experts can repair the leak without having to dig up your yard. Through this method, a technician will use epoxy pipe liners to seal the broken pipe. The leak can be repaired in several hours.
- Repiping or re-routing: If multiple pipes are damaged, a plumber might suggest repiping your system. This can be more invasive, and it can take several days to complete, depending on the seriousness of the leak.
- Tunneling under the slab: To salvage your flooring, you might instead opt for tunneling to repair the leak. With this method, technicians will dig tunnels under your home to make the repair, then return the soil to fill in the holes.
How Much Do Slab Leak Repairs Cost
One of your main questions about slab repairs is how much is the work going to cost. We understand the importance of knowing, but it will vary on a case-by-case basis. Our experts need to look at the damage and determine the repair method before we can provide an accurate estimate. We are very competitive in our prices and are the most highly skilled.