In regions with unstable soil, homes are built on concrete slabs as walls could crack and collapse due to the shifting of soil. Sometimes, pipes beneath a slab crack, leading to a serious problem called a slab leak. Slab leaks are quite common in California and Texas.
If you are a homeowner, continue reading to understand how to detect slab leaks and its repair process.
How to detect slab leaks?
1.An increase in your water bill
Track of your monthly water bills. If there is a spike in the bill and you haven't been using excess water, then you have a leak. If the leak is not visible within your home then it is likely a slab leak.
2.Water stains or wet spots on your floor
Water from a slab leak can only go up. This causes water stains on your floor (regions which appear darker). In worst cases, the water could pool on the floor making it wet. The extent of damage depends on the type of flooring you have. Hardwood floors warp due to water damage. Replacing damaged flooring can become quite expensive.
3.Sounds of running water
If you hear running water and the water is not on in your home, then turn off all the faucets and pay attention to the floor. If the sound of flowing water is heard through your floor, then you probably have a slab leak.
4.Low water pressure
Due to a leak, less water runs through the pipes thereby reducing the water pressure. If you suddenly notice reduced water pressure and there are no obvious leaks then it is a slab leak. Immediately contact slab leak repair service Vista to fix the leak.
5.Presence of an unpleasant smell
Water seeping into your home causes mould and mildew grows due to the moisture. Mould growth is visible under the floor, on the carpets or the walls. If you observe a musty odour coming from your floors contact slab leak detection in San Marcos to have your home check for leaks.
Effects of slab leaks
Undetected slab leaks can cause extensive damage. Water running under the house cause soil erosion, which reduces support on a slab, putting more strain on in, eventually damaging the foundation. Once the foundation is damaged, you may begin to notice cracks developing in the walls. Water can enter your home through these cracks. You will also notice the damage caused due to the growth of fungi and mould. Hence, you need to call in slab leak detection in San Marcos to find and repair the leak as early as possible to reduce damage.
So what do you do when you realize you have a slab leak? While you may be quiet handy, repairing a slab leak on your own is something you should never try. Here's why you should always leave it to the professionals from slab leak repair service Vista.
1.To find and repair a leak under concrete, specialized equipment and tools are required. Unless you are a plumber yourself it is not likely that you have these tools. Moreover, you probably don't have the knowledge to detect and correctly repair a slab leak.
2.One wrong move during repair can cause serious structural damage to your house.
3. You may not be able to find all leaks which could damage your home in future.