Slab Leak
Every house has a cement foundation under it that lays on top of the water pipes. For a number of reasons, the pipes inside the slab foundation crack and break, leading to potentially destructive slab leaks that often stay hidden from the homeowner.
It can be hard to identify a slab leak as soon as it occurs, as it is so embedded beneath the house. The damage has often occurred once the homeowner finally realized the damage the slab leak has already created. When this is the case, repairing the slab leak can be a major hassle since the process includes tearing apart a portion of your floor and the foundation underneath.
Detecting Slab Leaks
If you are experiencing suddenly high water bills and low water pressure, it might be an indication that you have a slab leak in your hands. When slab leaks occur in the water line, they are continued due to the ongoing flow of water in the from showers, bathtubs, faucets, and toilets. An obvious sign of a slab leak is a small puddle in the area of your basement, in which case the slab leak is a direct link to the broken pipe underneath it.
Measure Water Water to Detect Slab Leaks
- Meter Test: Locate your meter and make sure the water is turned off all over your property. The water meter should not be moving at all if all appliances and fixtures (toilet, faucet, washing machine, sprinklers, shower, bath) are turned off.
- Take a Picture: Snap a picture and record the exact time you took the snapshot. Come back and read the meter again in 15 minutes. Come back and read the meter in one hour. If the water numbers have not moved at all, you do not have a slab leak.
- Number Indicator: If the arrow on the meter has moved more than one digit, it is time to call a plumber immediately. If it only slightly moved, you should call in an expert for an assessment.
Causes of Slab Leak
- Poor Craftsmanship: If the original plumber who installed the pipes and drains did not do a thorough job, the chances for a slab leak are greatly increased.
- Chemical Composition of Water: Calcium and Lime elements exist in hard water that flows through the pipes. These elements are abrasive to pipe lining and over time cause cracks and lead to broken pipes.
- Shifting Foundation: A poor plumbing design may shift throughout time and tear away pipes.
- High Water Pressure: Pipes that have small diameters corrode faster with high water pressure. In addition, they may also burst if water blasts through at a high pressure for too long.
- Rusty Pipes: Galvanized iron pipes rust easily, and when soil, sand, and gravel travel inside pipes, the frail pipes get damaged and might rapture.
- Burst Pipes: Shifting in foundation may break apart cast iron, galvanized or PVC sewer pipes, especially where they turn or change directions.
- Commercial Drain Cleaners: Toxic chemicals found in most commercial drain cleaners stripe and corrode metal drainpipes.
Expert PLumbing Technicians have the know-how and tools to take care of any slab leak that threaten your property. Call a San Diego Plumber to assess the slab leak and recommend the most cost effective solution at 1-800-836-1726.
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