Slab Leak — Signs to Watch For & What To Do

If you have a slab leak or suspect you may have one, it is important to address the problem immediately. This article will assist you in determining whether or not you have this issue and instruct you on what to do next.

Identifying a Slab Leak

First and foremost, you will need to know what signs to look for in the event of this type of foundational issue:

Ø Higher than normal water bills
Ø Unusual smells, particularly moldy odors
Ø Flooring issues: continually wet carpet spots, cracking in tile, or bubbling linoleum
Ø Baseboards separating from the wall

There are instances when it’s possible to actually hear running or trickling water when it’s quiet enough inside the house. Call your serviceman immediately if you experience any of these warning signs. Waiting to address this problem can result in significant foundation damage and maybe even structural damage that is expensive and time consuming to repair.

Prior foundation repair sometimes creates a higher risk of a slab leak. Certain areas of the country experience higher instances of foundation problems than others, but it can occur anywhere under any circumstance.

What to Do

Immediately call a qualified plumber if you suspect any problem of this sort. Certain plumbers specialize in foundational issues and particularly the ones who use electronic detection are the ones you need to call on. This technology affords more efficient detection in a less invasive manner, which results in less actual damage. An experienced worker who knows how to treat one's individual home can use specialized tools to discern what the problem is and the best course of action to take from there.

Once the plumber locates the source of the running water and the location of any resulting damage, they can begin the process of repairing the plumbing and correcting the foundation to fix the problem. This is an involved process that requires much specialized knowledge.

More extensive damage requires additional repairs, sometimes to drywall and flooring and also at times to bricking and any exterior materials and structures. In the event of more severe separation, roofing repairs will be needed as well as windows, doors and moldings needing to be replaced. It’s easy to see how rapidly a slab leak can wreak havoc on your home and how quickly costs can add up. There have been instances of homeowner’s insurance not covering such foundational issues as this, so taking early action is paramount. Letting the problem go will simply aggravate and make things worse later down the line.

Call your local plumber today and schedule your inspection. Waiting any longer to address this type of problem could end in you needing a new home altogether. Don’t delay.

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