What is a Slab Leak?
A slab leak occurs when a water line bursts underneath the concrete slab foundation of your home. Due to its location, it can be challenging to detect and cause major issues for your property. Water damage can seriously harm your foundation and change the surrounding environment. Failing to promptly detect and fix a slab leak might jeopardize the structural integrity of your home. If you live in the Salt Lake City area, it's important to get in touch with Scott Hale as soon as you notice a slab leak so that one of our skilled plumbers can fix it.
Slab Leak Detection
Homeowners in Salt Lake City, UT, should be aware of warning signs for slab leak repair services. If you hear running water but cannot locate the source, you should contact a licensed plumber immediately. Increased water usage due to the compromised pipe can be seen in your monthly water bills. Other ways to identify slab leaks include, but are not limited to:
- Slab leaks can cause warped or buckling flooring, especially in basements, which can be replaced after repair.
- Mold and mildew thrive in high-moisture areas, and slab leaks can increase moisture levels throughout the home. The most common areas for mold growth are in the basement, on walls, floors, and ceilings.
- Standing water in the basement is another obvious sign of slab leaks, as leaks can penetrate walls and flooring, causing leaks to accumulate in pockets. Common areas for standing water pools are in corners or near floor furniture.
What Causes a Slab Leak?
Several things can lead to slab leaks, including:
- Improperly installed pipes.
- Poor building construction.
- Weak water lines.
- Chemical interactions between metals in the plumbing system and the ground.
- Shifting soil beneath the slab.
Slab Leak Repair
To fix a slab water leak, follow these steps:
- Pinpoint the leak's location using a plumber's equipment to minimize damage.
- Prepare for hazardous conditions by removing furniture, paintings, rugs, electronics, and valuables from the room. Wear protective gear, and have an assistant wearing the appropriate safety gear.
- Use the right equipment, such as a jackhammer, to reach the area underneath the cement foundation. Handle this heavy-duty tool with caution, as it can cause harm and damage to the foundation.
- Start the repair process by excavating under-the-slab pipes and identifying the leak's source. If the leak comes from a sewage line, contact a professional plumber to safely handle hazardous waste.
There are many techniques that professional plumbers can use to identify and fix slab leaks.
Trenchless Repair
Trenchless repair makes tiny access holes in your concrete foundation so that pipes may be reached and leaks can be fixed. We may seal any broken pipes and repair water leaks using epoxy. While it necessitates less destruction, the trenchless repair approach offers affordable slab leak repair.
Pipe Rerouting
Pipe rerouting applies when damage is sustained by several pipes. To get around any damaged sections and restore proper operation, contractors might install new plumbing. Repiping operations also need some minor demolition, so homeowners might have to temporarily relocate.
Tunneling Repair
The least invasive technique for fixing slab leaks is tunneling repair, but it also costs more money and takes longer. It's the best way to prevent tearing up flooring because instead of breaking into the slab, contractors will dig tunnels.
Contact a professional plumbing company when considering slab leak repairs in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Slab Leak Repair Services
The cost of fixing a slab leak might vary, but timely, small repairs will save far more money, effort, and discomfort than a complete replacement. To avoid more water damage, it is in the property owner's best interest to fix the slab as soon as possible. The building's age, the extent of the leak, and the slab access conditions will be factored into a quote for how much a slab leak repair will cost.
Slab leaks are difficult to detect and fix due to their hidden nature. That’s why you need to call the expert plumbers at Scott Hale. Our team has the necessary training and tools to identify and solve the issue. We provide Salt Lake City and the surrounding area with industry-leading plumbing, including leak repairs.
