Slab Leak Detection and Repairs

In an ideal world, everything would stay in perfect working condition. Your tires would never go flat, your children would never get sick, and your plumbing system would never spring a leak.

But we don’t live in any such fantasy world. 

In the real world, problems big and small come up all the time, including issues with your plumbing system. The most dangerous situation your system could have is known as a slab leak. 

What Is a Slab Leak?

Slab leaks are leaks that develop beneath the concrete slab that your house is built on. This kind of leak is the most dangerous leak you can have in your plumbing system. 

The broken pipe under the concrete allows water to leak into your home’s foundation. On top of wasting water from your new hot water heater, the leak will also erode the concrete and the underlying soil.

If the slab leak is not found in time, the house’s foundation will buckle and shift — leaving cracks in the floors and walls. The house will eventually collapse if these problems are ignored.

Here at Pro-Plumbing Works, we use modern technology to detect slab leaks with precise accuracy. But how do you know if you have a slab leak that needs repair in the first place? 

Simply stated, slab leaks are water leaks below a concrete slab. 

How To Tell if You Have a Slab Leak

The leaky pipes in a slab leak run through the foundation, so it’s rarely evident that you have a leak. However, we want to share with you some signs that indicate a slab leak:

• Mold: This is a common problem due to the added humidity of Florida. Suppose a room or area of your house has developed mold underneath the carpet or behind furniture. In that case, it’s likely a result of a slab leak.
• High water bills: If you see an unexplained spike in your water bill, you should set up an appointment for slab leak detection with one of our experts.
• Puddles: It hasn’t rained in weeks, but you’ve got puddles in your lawn! Why? A slab leak is probably pooling up from under the foundation into your yard. Puddles might even form inside the home.
• Warped Floors: Even a small leak will eventually penetrate through the floorboards. A newly uneven floor can be a signal that there’s a leak. 
• Low Water Pressure: A sudden loss of water pressure in your home’s faucet is a good sign that your system has a leak. This should be addressed ASAP to prevent larger problems.

What Causes a Slab Leak?

You are probably reading this article because you’ve run into a slab leak problem and are wondering, “How can I prevent slab leaks?” The best way to prevent leaks is by understanding where they come from. Here are the main sources of slab leaks:

• Chloramines: Chloramines are a group of compounds that are used to disinfect drinking water. While having clean water is a necessity, the chemicals also quickly wear down copper pipes.  
• Old Pipes:  It often takes many years before corrosion and abrasion cause a pipe to spring a leak. If you’ve recently bought an old house, having a plumber examine the pipes is worthwhile.
• Poor Installation: If your new home has a leak, it’s almost certainly because the pipes were damaged during installation. This is the easiest source of slab leaks to avoid; simply have our team install your plumbing.

How To Fix a Slab Leak

Proper steps need to be taken in order to find exactly where the leak is before it becomes much more costly and dangerous. The health concerns that follow a leak are nothing to take lightly. Leaking water leads to mold. There is no way around it, and breathing in mold for an extended period of time can lead to some substantial respiratory issues. If a slab leak is left unnoticed, or uncared for, there is the potential for the molding and consequent rotting to begin affecting the supporting structures of your home, and that is a much more serious problem.

Call Pro Plumbing Today!

Our family has been fixing slab leaks for three generations. Our grandfather, Leonard Russo, started fixing them all the way back in 1939

during the Great Depression.

We are the most qualified team you’ll find in Sarasota, Bradenton, or anywhere else in Florida!

Don’t wait any longer to get your home repaired and back to normal. 

Our entire team is committed to meeting those needs. As a result, a high percentage of our business is from repeat customers and referrals.

We would welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you the best service in the industry!

Call us anytime at 941-894-1127 to schedule an appointment.