Are Slab Leaks Dangerous?

What Is a Slab?

Not every house has a slab. In North Carolina, they are a popular type of home because water and sewer lines are protected from flooding. A slab is a concrete foundation found just below the house. If there is a leak, the sewer line will deteriorate.

How To Tell if There Is a Leak in the Foundation

Since a slab is underneath the house, homeowners are not likely to see the actual leak. Instead, they may notice raised water stains on the floor. Wet spots are commonly noticed in areas with carpeting. 

The sound of dripping water is another slab leak sign. It is important to turn off all the faucets before pinpointing where the water is located. Listening to the floorboards is often helpful. 

Unusually high water bills occur when unnecessary water escapes the home. This is especially true with slab leaks. High water bills with no visible leak could be due to a cracked pipe in the wall or floor. Because these kinds of leaks are often undetected, bills steadily increase over time. 

Water pressure may seem like an odd clue, but as water escapes from the slab, it reduces pressure in the plumbing system. Weak water pressure that is only found in one part of the house is an indication of a problem area. If the water pressure is weak throughout the home, the slab leak is located near the water main.

Are Slab Leaks Dangerous?

Yes. If slab leaks are not repaired, they can cause significant water damage to the structure of a house. As water slowly deteriorates the foundation, houses are weakened and no longer considered safe. 

In addition to property damage, hidden leaks cause health issues. Mold is a common problem because of excess standing water. Any type of mold growth is difficult to get rid of regardless of where it is located, but mold found inside the flooring is especially problematic. Even if a small amount of unreachable mold is left inside the house, respiratory issues and headaches can occur. 

If homeowners detect mold, they should immediately contact a plumbing company. Leaks inside the foundation will reduce property value as well as overall safety. 

How Can Professionals Help?

To detect a slab leak, professionals typically use video inspection cameras. These are tiny cameras designed for dark, hard-to-reach spaces. By watching a monitor, trained technicians can see in real time any potential cracks. Once the leak has been identified, repiping services or trenchless slab repair may be necessary.

Trenchless slab leak repair involves using epoxy pipe liners to effectively patch the leak. The material is non-destructible and only takes a few hours to install. Repiping is used when multiple pipes are leaking. Installing new pipes will help homeowners save on potential repair costs.

Sometimes homeowners will choose a slab tunneling service. This is usually used to protect expensive flooring. During this process, a team of professionals will dig tunnels underneath the house so that the indoors remain untouched. Depending on the service, slab leak repair will vary in price.

About E.R. Services

E.R. Services has provided quality plumbing services since 1997. Their contractors offer honest advice, and top-rated service, and are available 24/7 to handle those tough plumbing issues. To learn more about their slab leak detection services and community involvement, call E.R. Services in Charlotte, NC. 

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