Slab Leaks
Unfortunately, slab leaks are all too common. A slab leak is a term often used in the plumbing industry to describe leaks that occur within the water lines underneath the concrete slab (foundation) of your home. An unaddressed slab leak can potentially cause mold, termites, or your entire foundation to collapse in the worst-case scenario. Learn more about the causes and signs of slab leaks below.
Common Causes of Slab Leaks
Slab leaks can be hard to initially detect. However, they can wreak havoc on your home. It is important for homeowners to have an understanding of the potential causes of slab leaks. Learn more about the most common causes below.
- Poor installation: If water pipes are damaged or poorly installed during construction, it could cause leaking and/or pipe bursting further down the road.
- Earthquakes and Ground Shifts: Earthquakes happen often. The slightest shift in the ground can cause your pipes to break, leak, or malfunction.
- Abrasions: Copper pipes naturally expand and contract as water flows in and out of them. If they are exposed to something that they can rub against, pipes are more susceptible to being worn down and potentially causing slab leaks.
- Pipe Corrosion: Since pipes are constantly in contact with moist soil, they are susceptible to oxidization and corroding. This is especially true of copper pipes.
Signs of Slab Leaks
Depending on where the leak is, it may be difficult to detect. However, there are some clear signs of slap leaks to include higher water bills, the sound of running water when pipes are not being used, excessive moisture and/or mildew underneath carpeting, lower water pressure, cracks in baseboards, etc. Understanding the signs of slab leaks can save you a lot of time, money and inconveniences. Give the plumbing experts at Go Pro Plumbing a call to schedule your free estimate for the identification and repair of slab leaks.
