Has your water bill increased unexpectedly? Do you hear running water in your walls? Have you noticed water pooling around your foundation? Are there abnormally warm spots on your floor? These can all be signs of a slab leak.
Slab leaks are when the piping beneath your foundation deteriorates to the point where there are leaks, sometimes small leaks known as pinhole leaks. If you suspect slab leaks, you should address this issue right away. The concrete foundation can crack from water erosion, and the slab leak can cause water damage to your home, including structural damage, and potentially seeping into your home’s interior, creating mold and mildew.
The team at Wise Monkey Repipe is trained in slab leak detection, slab leak repair, and complete home repiping. Here are some sure signs you may have a slab leak in your plumbing.
Signs of a Slab Leak
If you see any of these warning signs, call an experienced slab leak repair and repipe contractor to prevent further damage to your home.
1. Higher Water Usage and Bills
If you see your water bills increasing suddenly, and you cannot explain this abnormal usage, there might be an undetected slab leak. As an experiment, turn off all the faucets, and any appliances that use water, such as the washing machine or dishwasher. Check the outside water meter, and if the water usage is still moving, that might indicate a previously unseen slab leak. If the leak is in a hot water line, it will also cause your gas or electricity bill to spike. The best thing is to contact a slab leak repair contractor for a slab leak detection test.
2. Unexplained Wet Spots
Pools of water or recurring wet spots in your home that are not the result of a leaky faucet may be caused by a slab leak or pinhole leak.
If you see water under cabinets or vanities, or water near walls, this might be caused by a slab leak. Pipes in the bathroom or kitchen that run under the house might spring a leak and be causing mysterious puddles of water.
3. Low Water Pressure
If the water pressure in your home is much lower than usual, this might also indicate a slab leak or leaky pipe in an unseen location.
4. Sounds of Running Water When No Faucets Are On
If you hear running water under your floor, in the walls, or inside kitchen cabinets or bathroom vanities, when there are no faucets running, this could be a sign of a slab leak. The water you hear are leaky pipes. Call a repipe plumbing contractor to set up a slab leak detection appointment as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
5. Musty or Moldy Smell
An undetected slab leak in the walls or under the foundation can cause moisture to seep into the wood and building materials of your home. This type of pipe leak can cause mold or mildew to grow in your home.
6. Warm Spots in Your Floor
When pipes burst under your floor, the running water can cause the floor to feel warm underneath your feet. This can indicate a hot water pipe has burst or sprung a leak. This sign should not be ignored as a slab leak can cause extensive damage to your home.
7. Damp Spots in Your Carpet
Water leaking from pipes in your foundation can cause cracks in your foundation. The water can seep into your carpet. This is a strong signal you have an undetected water leak around your foundation.
8. Cracks in the Concrete Slab or Foundation
If you see brand new crack in your foundation or concrete around your home, this might be a sign that a slab leak is causing erosion. Concrete that is heaving or buckling can also indicate a potential slab leak.
How do repipe contractors detect a slab leak?
Homeowners may notice signs of a potential slab leak such as unexplained puddles of water, movement or buckling in the foundation, low water pressure, mildew in the floor or walls, and increased water bills.
A highly experienced repipe contractor like Wise Monkey Repipe & Construction will use specialized equipment to detect and confirm a slab leak. From there, the contractor will give you an estimate of the scope of work and an estimate for repiping and repairing the slab leak.
How much does it cost to repair a slab leak?
Typically, it can cost between $3,600 and $8,000 to repair a slab leak and fix the foundation, with severely damaged foundations costing more than $10,000. Commercial buildings are larger, and slab leak repairs will typically cost more than residential slab leaks.
Do You Need Slab Leak Repair in Sacramento?
If you need slab leak repair in Sacramento, Elk Grove, or Roseville, then call Wise Monkey Repipe & Construction. Our team specializes in repiping houses and repairing slab leak.
Financing is available for homeowners in the Sacramento area. If you suspect a slab leak in your home, contact us today or call us at (916) 304-7629.
Ready for a Repipe Project?
The team at Wise Monkey Repipe & Construction can help you through the process of replacing the old pipes in your home.