Slab Leaks

A common plumbing problem is when there is a leak under the floor. Plumbers refer to this as a slab leak because it usually occurs under a slab of concrete, whether a sidewalk, patio, or foundation.

There are a few ways to detect a slab leak. One is to check if any water is leaking from up under the foundation through cracks or if any significant settling has occurred. Also, since the water will continue to leak due to pressure, a loss in water pressure will be a good indicator. Lastly, check your water bills. If there is a noticeable increase, you may have an undetected leak somewhere.

Slab leaks can happen for a number of reasons. First and foremost, settling of the foundation can easily bend and damage pipes beneath the surface. The most likely place for a leak would be at the point where pipes going opposite directions are connected by a coupling. Poor workmanship at the time of construction can also be responsible for leaks in couplings. Although cases are more rare, slab leaks can also occur from corrosion of the pipe due to high pH levels in the water.

Slab leaks can be repaired in various ways. The leak must first be located under the slab. This can be done with special equipment. Next is to excavate the pipe by breaking up the concrete and doing some digging. Once the pipe is exposed, the water is shut off and the pipe is cut and refitted. The fix will depend largely on the material that the pipe is composed of.

Rainforest Plumbing & Air technicians locate and repair slab leaks at properties all over the Valley on a regular basis. Give us a call today at (480) 615-7766 to schedule service!