Slab Leak Repair Near You in McKinney, TX
As a homeowner in Texas, your house is very likely your most valuable asset. All homeowners must keep every part of their homes in tip-top shape from the roof to the foundation and everything in between. It is also important that a homeowner remains aware of the condition of every area of the house.
If you notice an odd smell coming from your basement, wet spots on the floor, or a higher-than-normal water bill, you may have an issue with the slab foundation of your home and the pipes that run underneath or through the slab. To determine the cause and location of possible water leaks, you may require expert slab leak detection and repair services from an experienced Texas plumbing company such as ours at The Slab Leak Doctor.
What Is a Slab Leak?
In most cases, the slab of your home is usually the concrete floor of your home’s basement. The slab is the foundation on which the rest of your home is built, and, in general, the waterline and the sewer line are located beneath the slab. Sometimes, the pipes run through the slab, but that is not the typical construction.
As the water pipes – usually made from copper – age and develop wear and tear, they may leak. There are other causes of water leaks, but the age of the water line is often the culprit. When a water leak appears in the pipe, the continuous stream of water seeps out and begins to intrude on the concrete slab. Over time, the slab leak can become very serious and affect the overall structural integrity of your home’s foundation.
To avoid this serious consequence of a slab leak, detection and repair is essential, and it takes the skills and experience of a qualified and licensed plumbing professional to detect and repair slab leaks to ensure they no longer cause problems for the homeowner.
What Are the Causes of a Slab Leak?
There are several common causes of slab leaks that any Texas homeowner should be aware of. These include:
- Water pipe installation, which resulted in dents or bent pipes. These dents wear over time, and a small leak can begin at any moment.
- Activities that seriously disrupt the soil beneath the home, such as earthquakes, soil erosion, or ground shifts, put pressure on the pipes they cannot withstand.
- Corrosion and abrasion are caused by the constant increase and decrease of temperature, especially common in hot water pipes. The movement within the lines causes them to rub against rocks and concrete, and a small leak may appear.
- Extreme pH levels in the water can corrode pipes as well. Alkaline or acidic water in the pipes can be corrosive, which leads to a higher chance of a slab leak.
- Neglect or a lack of maintenance and monitoring can also lead to a leak. When a homeowner does not get an annual inspection of the water pipes, slab leaks can easily develop and surprise the homeowner with a large plumbing bill.
Even if you do not think there is a slab leak in your home, it is important to have a professional plumbing company inspect your cold and hot water lines and ensure everything looks normal. Also, be sure to monitor your water bill for unusual increases, check your water meter when there is no running water in the pipes, pay attention to slowing water pressure, and listen for the sound of water.
What Are Some Common Signs of Slab Leaks?
There are some common signs of slab leaks that every homeowner should be aware of. Signs of a leak include:
- Wet spots in the carpeting, especially above hot water pipes
- Mildew or mold under the carpeting
- The smell of mold throughout the house
- Unusually low water pressure
- Spikes in the water bill
- Standing water around the home
- Cracks in the walls or baseboards
- Running water sounds when the pipes are not in use
- Damp or warm floors
Although these signs could indicate other plumbing issues, such as a leak in the water heater, it could also be a serious slab leak issue that needs to be detected and repaired as soon as possible by a professional plumbing company that offers experienced leak detection and repair services.
Why Is Professional Slab Leak Detection Necessary?
The indicators of a leak may be reflected at the water meter or through water pressure issues, but accurate leak detection needs to be done by a professional plumbing company. Detecting water and sewer line leaks are difficult because of the concrete foundation. Drilling and jackhammering may be necessary to find the exact location of any leaks. At The Slab Leak Doctor, we can also use infrared imaging to pinpoint the leak and determine the extent of the damage done to your foundation.
How Is Slab Leak Repair Done?
A leak in the water line (hot or cold) may seem like it will be a major repair job, but when done by a professional plumbing company, the repairs can be less intrusive and expensive than expected. At The Slab Leak Doctor, we can repair foundation leaks in one of two ways. First, the leaking pipe can be sealed by injecting epoxy resin into the line. If this does not work, the second option can be to apply an epoxy liner to the entire pipe.
Contact Our Slab Leak Detection and Repair Experts in Texas
If you are a homeowner in Texas and suspect that you may have a leaking water line under the foundation of your home, call us today. At The Slab Leak Doctor, we have over 50 years of experience in the plumbing industry providing expert leak detection and leak repair services for residents all over the state of Texas.
Our team of plumbers is on notice 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to discuss any issues with your pipes, sewer lines, or any other plumbing issue, including the water heater. We are well-trained, knowledgeable, and honest with all of our services. Call us today for a free estimate and to schedule an appointment.