5 Signs You May Have A Slab Leak

If you’ve lived in your home for any length of time, it’s pretty easy to tell when something is no longer working the way it should. You can detect problems just by paying attention to how well things work.

But while it may be easy to realize something isn’t working the way it should, finding the cause can be difficult at best. 

Slab leaks are one of the most difficult problems to find. A slab leak occurs when water leaks underneath the concrete foundation of your home. If not found and fixed quickly, it can cause problems with the structure.

Slab leaks are caused by a variety of things. The most common is problems with the pipes underneath the foundation. Over time, water and corrosion eat away at the pipes until small leaks form. It could also be from a pipe that bursts and leaves a puddle of standing water that never goes away. You can’t see it – it’s under the slab. But it eats away at the structure until you notice it in different ways.

Water

Any time you see standing water, pay attention. While water may have been pooling underneath the slab for a long period of time, eventually it will have place else to go but to spread away from your foundation. If you notice a pool of water without a cause, it warrants further investigation.

Lowered water pressure

If a pipe has burst, it pulls water from your system to continue the flow. You might notice it as a decrease in water pressure at other exit points throughout your home. Are your showers not as powerful? Is the water in your sinks only running at a trickle? It might be a slab leak.

Running water

Can you hear the sound of running water throughout your home even after you check all of your appliances? Do you hear strange noises as your water heater works overtime keeping up with water demand? Because a slab leak will continue to pull from your water supply, you’ll always hear the sound of running water from some point in your home every hour of the day.

Biological growth

Have you noticed your carpet feels damp? Or your wood floors have suddenly started to warp? Or maybe you notice the walls are starting to turn different colors, with biological growth appearing around the corners. If dampness continues with no explanation, it could be a sign of a slab leak.

Water bill changes

The easiest way to determine if you have a water problem is to pay attention to your water bill each month. Do you see sudden spikes in how much water you’re using without explanation? If you do, it’s time to call in a plumbing expert to pinpoint the reason.

It can save you time, money, and energy fixing the problem as quickly as possible, before it has a chance to do further damage, ranging from water damage to structural damage throughout your home.