Slab leaks are a serious plumbing issue that poses a danger to the structural integrity of your house. These leaks are usually caused by damage to the sewer or water lines and develop underneath the foundation. Slab leaks are widespread in older homes built on concrete foundation slabs. These leaks are prevalent but can be hard to detect, making them even more challenging to repair.
At Joe Hillman Plumbers, we have certified plumbers and the tools for repairing slab leaks in Port St. Lucie. You can reach us by phone or online to schedule a service call to your commercial or residential property.
Signs of Slab Leaks in Port St. Lucie Properties
Locating slab leaks in your Port St. Lucie home may not be easy to do on your own, but you should be aware of any signs that you may have a slab leak at your house.
These signs include:
- Having warm or damp floors
- A water bill rising significantly for unknown reasons
- Cracks in your walls or baseboard
- Standing water around the perimeter of your home
- A moving water meter dial when pipes aren’t being used
- The sound of running water when pipes aren’t being used
- Low water pressure
If you notice any of these signs, you should contact a slab leak repair technician to have a look. If left unrepaired, slab leaks cause water damage, creating an environment for mold to grow and termites to invade and nest.
The Most Common Causes of Slab Leaks
Several factors cause slab leaks, mainly damage that occurs during or after pipe installation. Pipes can be accidentally damaged during installation. While this can be a minor issue, refraining from repairing the problem can prevent the pipes from functioning effectively in the future. Pipes that aren’t connected correctly can also cause leaks.
Foundations that are poorly set may also damage pipes because of excessive pressure. This causes the pipes to leak, which, in turn, causes slab leaks. Poorly planned pipework can also lead to weak spots, causing frequent plumbing issues.
Pipes that have contact with the soil often corrode as time goes by, which also causes leakage. Additionally, old plumbing can leak due to wear and tear as they naturally thin down over time.
Abrasion also occurs when pipes installed incorrectly scrap against other surfaces or pipes as they contract and expand to allow water to flow through. These movements wear out the pipes, eventually causing leakages.
What Damage Can Slab Leaks Cause?
We recommend having any slab leaks checked by our specialists and repaired promptly. When left unchecked, slab leaks cause several issues, including:
- Yard damage: Standing water within the landscaping and grass can ruin your home’s front and back yards. These leaks can also damage outdoor pools.
- Foundation damage: Slab leaks may cause the foundation of your home or building to move or crack as they swell, which is not suitable for your property’s structural integrity.
- Flooring damage: The floor of the building or home afflicted with slab leaks will crack if it’s made up of tiles. It will be saturated or ruined if it’s carpeted.
- Mold buildup: Excess water from leaks can cause mold buildup on the floor and walls. Mold creates bad odors and ruins surfaces. Additionally, it’s terrible for human health and particularly harmful to individuals who have respiratory issues.
- Foul odors: Unrepaired slab leaks will, in the long term, cause musty or moldy odors to spread throughout your home, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Leaks originating from your home’s or building’s sewer lines will also cause your property to smell like sewage.
Why Choose Joe Hillman Plumbers for Slab Leak Repairs in St. Port Lucie?
Our plumbing technicians usually inspect the issue and accurately detect the slab leak before they can begin repairs. They may start by turning off the home’s primary water source and then check the meter. If the meter is moving, this means there’s a leak.
We will then inspect different sections of the plumbing to locate the leak’s source. We may use non-invasive leak detection methods, like acoustic disc and ground microphones or digital pipe locators, to trace the location of sewer and water pipes under a building or home’s slab foundation to identify the leak’s exact location.
Once this is confirmed, our certified repair technician will discuss your repair options with you, which may include:
Pipe Lining
This repair method is less invasive, as only a few access points are required to fix the issue. However, its use is mainly dependent on how easy it is for our repair technician to access your sewer or water line under the slab foundation.
Pipe Replacement
This will require our repair technician to access your sewer or water line directly. This method is a more invasive approach, as your building’s or home’s flooring will need to be opened to access the leak site.
Once this is done, our technician will remove the affected section of the pipe and install a new pipe.
Pipe Rerouting
This method is used when there’s more than one leak in your pipeline, as the other repair methods may not solve the issue altogether. Our repair technician may recommend rerouting your piping as a more effective and safer long-term solution.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix Slab Leaks in Port St. Lucie?
On average, a slab leak detection service may cost about $350. This usually involves a technician inspecting your system to find leaks. On the other hand, repairing the concrete slab leak costs between $800 and $6,000 on average, depending on the extent of the damage and the repair method used.
Contact Joe Hillman Plumbers for Slab Leak Detection and Repair in Port St. Lucie
Leaky pipes are a danger to your home’s structural integrity and should be repaired as soon as possible. Acting promptly can prevent higher repair costs and excessive damage.
If you have noticed wet spots on your floor or constantly hear running water, you may have a slab leak. Contact Joe Hillman Plumbers at (954) 283-5468 and schedule your slab leak repair today. All our plumbing work is 100 percent guaranteed, and we stand by every repair we do. If you are not satisfied with our service, we will give you all your money back.