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Writer's pictureJacqueline

What are slab leaks and how to repair them?

In regions with unstable soil, homes are built on concrete slabs as basement walls could crack and collapse due to the shifting of soil. Sometimes, pipes beneath a slab leak, leading to a serious problem called a slab leak. Slab leaks are not easily visible to a homeowner and can ofter go undetected for a long time.


Leaving a slab leak unattended for a long time can cause serious problems. Water running under the house causes soil erosion. This removes the support of a slab putting more strain on in, eventually causing hairline cracks. Now all water can enter the home through these cracks.


If you are a homeowner, continue reading to understand slab water leak repair in San Diego.


Causes of leaking water:

  1. Poor installation and damaged material If damaged material is used to build a home then it could cause damage in the long run. Moreover, if the pipes are installed incorrectly then they would not be able to function properly leading to water leaks and damaged property.

  2. Ground shifts Sometimes slab leaks occur due to house shifting on its foundation. If your home starts shifting then the pipes experience a little pressure, taking a toll on them causing them to leak.

  3. Abrasion and corrosion Pipes experience wear and tear when other pipers, gravel or even concrete rub against them. This is especially prevalent when there is a fluctuation in the temperature causing the pipes to contract and expand rapidly. Over time, due to contact with soil and minerals, the pipes tend to corrode leading to the formation of pinholes.

Slab leak detection and repair:


Once you detect a slab leak in San Diego you should immediately call a plumber. An attempt to fix it yourself will most likely make it worse.


To detect the leak turn off all taps and water appliances and check the water meter. If the numbers on the meter change after a while then you surely have a leak. However, only a professional will be able to determine if you have a slab leak as they have the right equipment for it.


Once the leak is detected, the professional will start the repair process with consist of the following methods.

  1. Re-piping: This is done when the entire piping system needs to be replaced. When the pipes are old and one pipe springs a leak, the plumber may opt to replace the entire piping system rather than just changing one single pipe.

  2. Opening the foundation: This is an intrusive technique involving removing the entire slab to reach the damaged pipe.

  3. Pipe coating: In this method, pipes are coated with an epoxy solution to fix the leak. This is an easy less intrusive and environment-friendly method and is highly recommended.

Costs a slab water leak in San Diego :


Slab leak repair in San Diego will generally cost you somewhere between $1650-$1800. However, this price depends on the location of the leak.

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