How to Detect and Prepare Leaking Pipes Under a Slab Foundation

It's no hugger-mugger that pipes, water and sewer lines eventually begin to erode and leak. This happens with normal wear and tear and is inevitable in most homes.

Many people assume that repairing a leaky pipe beneath a slab is a difficult job. However, it's not every bit difficult as y'all might think. Locating and gaining access to the pipe can be tough, but once you lot know the full general area of the leak and can cutting your way through the slab, repairing the pipe is simple.

How to Tell if Yous Have a Leak Under a Slab

Pipes

Luckily, there are several signs that indicate a leaking pipe under your slab:

  • The showtime indicator is the presence of water or clammy spots on your floor. Leaking hot-water lines can too create warm spots on your floor. Walking effectually with bare feet inside your home can help yous identify the location of any lines that are leaking because you'll experience the rut through the floor.

  • A second state of affairs that tin warning you that your water lines are leaking is the audio of rushing water underneath your floor. If it seems like a faucet is turned on beneath your house (and you know there isn't really a faucet on somewhere), you likely take a leak in your piping.

  • Finally, a significant increase in your water bill could be a sign of a leaking pipe. Since a broken line runs continuously, your water bill will rise. If you notice an increase that you lot tin't explicate, either your water company is taking advantage of yous, or you lot have a leak!

Sewer lines

Leaking sewer lines are a dissimilar consequence. They are more than hard to detect and often go unnoticed until there are visible signs which include impairment to your foundation or domed (raised) sections of flooring. If you suspect a leaking sewer line, check your foundation for "heaving," which occurs when the slab swells plenty to actually lift the unabridged structure.

Elusive leaks

Some leaks are difficult to find and require the apply of specialized listening devices (sonar), infrared cameras, or helium detection equipment. After turning off the water completely, air is pumped into the lines. This forces out whatever remaining water, so the plumber tin can listen for air escaping from the damaged piping.

How to Fix a Slab Leak

In one case the leak is identified, a plumber can evaluate the situation and the location of the leak. At this point, a plan is configured and put into place. In some cases, information technology's better to re-plumb the affected section, while other times new new piping throughout the the unabridged firm will be necessary. Attempting to repair erstwhile, galvanized plumbing is typically a waste of money, as dated pipes will continue to spring new leaks as they age.

Gaining Access

Once the leak is located, jackhammering a pigsty in the floor is required to admission the pipe. Finished floor will exist removed in lodge to expose the concrete. Opening a slab will create a pregnant amount of grit, so taking the appropriate steps to comprehend and or remove furniture and valuables is important. Once the hole is cut, dirt is removed, providing admission to the leaking pipe.

Repairing Damaged Water Lines

The most mutual type of pipe used for h2o lines under slab foundations is copper. Unfortunately, equally copper pipes age, they are decumbent to wearing thin and springing leaks. Before first the repairs on a section of pipe beneath a concrete slab, consideration should be given to re-piping, rather than using a temporary fix.

Should you decide to repair the copper pipe, rather than supplant, it'south a fairly easy procedure. A hacksaw or tubing cutter tin can be used to cut out the damaged portion. The side by side pace is to but supervene upon information technology with new tubing and copper couplings before soldering information technology into place to repair the flow. The pipe will be cached, physical replaced and floors fixed, getting you back to normal life.

Repairing Sewer Lines

While information technology's possible to repair a leaky water piping on your own, fixing a leaking sewer line may require the services of a plumber. Before you decide to take on this kind of project yourself, consider the type of pipes that were used, forth with the health-related issues involving exposure to human waste matter.

Depending on the historic period of the home, sewer lines may be bandage iron, clay, or fifty-fifty PVC. Special rubber couplings are ideal for connecting different types of pipes, but they are not recommended for use underneath concrete slabs. The safe boots deteriorate over time, peculiarly when used outdoors. Working directly with a plumber will empower you lot to become educated on the situation and give you choices that work best for your abode.

To find out more than virtually your options for repairing a slab leak or to schedule an appointment,

CALL (888) 660-0471 or

SEND AN EMAIL TO INFO@HOMEANGELSFL.COM