What Causes a Slab Leak?

A slab leak can cause all kinds of serious problems for a homeowner, the worst case scenario being serious damage to the foundation. When this happens the cost of fixing the problem can be huge. It is therefore a good idea to understand both the symptoms of a slab leak and what causes them so that any problems can be dealt with quickly before they become very expensive.

The cause of a slab leak is water coming from leaky pipes. In order to get water into your house it is necessary for the pipes to run underneath and then into the foundation. Over the years these pipes will start to corrode, particularly if you have old copper pipes for you water supply. Once the pipes start to corrode it is just a matter of time before they start to leak.

While it may not seem like a leaky pipe can do enormous damage to a concrete slab. The water works its way into the cracks and crevices in the slab and will eventually damage it. This is especially true if you live in an area that gets cold during the winter, water that freezes and then thaws is particularly damaging.

If your slab leak is not addressed fairly quickly things are only going to get worse. Eventually the concrete will reach the point where it cannot hold any more water, when this happens the water will start to work its way up into the floors and walls of your house. If this goes on for any length of time you will likely find that you have mold in your walls as well as drywall is an ideal breeding ground for mold.

Unfortunately in most cases people do not realize that they have a slab leak until they reach the point where the damage starts to become visible on the floors and walls of their house. At this point the damage is extensive and will be costly to repair. If you suspect that there is something wrong with your plumbing such as higher than expected water bills or the sound or running water when the taps are turned off it is a good idea to call a leak detection specialist.

Leak detection specialists use high tech equipment to allow them to pinpoint the location of any leaks without having to put a hole in your slab. This will allow you to determine if there is a problem before it gets serious and costly to repair.