If your home is built on a slab foundation, it’s important to know that the plumbing for your home is running underneath your home and could potentially leak at some point. There are several reasons that this happens. Sometimes, the signs that point to an under slab leak are subtle, while others can be severe and impossible to miss. DuraTech Texas is here to talk about under slab leaks and what can be done to fix them.

What is a Slab Leak?

Underneath your slab are a bunch of pressurized pipes that bring water into your home. Some of them may be made of copper and others could be made of PVC or PEX. When they start to leak, it can be incredibly challenging to get to them and address the problem. It can be helpful when you have the blueprints to your home so that you know exactly where these pipes are located so the issue can be addressed. Sometimes, you can see that there are puddles starting to accumulate which can help you find the source of the problem as well.

Causes of Slab Leaks

There are several different reasons that a home could have a slab leak. Some of the most common causes include:
– The weight of your foundation has put strain on your pipes and caused them to start to leak, bend or break.
– Heavy rain and excessive moisture can cause the ground to shift and swell which will put pressure on your pipes and foundation.
– Your home has started to settle and put pressure on the pipes underneath your home.
– Tree roots can also grow into the pipes and under your home to cause problems.

Can a Slab Leak Be Fixed?

There are a few different ways that a slab leak can be fixed. Following are some of the options available to homeowners.
– Excavation: A foundation repair specialist will be able to use many different tools to help them locate the source of the problem. Tracing, listening and infrared thermometers are used to find the source of the problem. Then the floor is removed with jack hammers to get to the source of the problem. Once the pipe is fixed, the foundation will also be repaired where necessary.
– Digging Beneath the House: Without digging several holes through your floor in your home, sometimes the problem can be fixed by digging underneath the foundation. This can only be done when the leak is just outside the house.
– Re-Route the Pipes: If the pipes in your home are re-routed through your attic rather than under your home, it can help to detect problems in the future. This will depend on the way your home is designed though.

Foundation Repair Services & More in Crosby, Cypress, Friendswood & Greater Houston, Texas

When you have foundation problems because of a slab leak, you can depend on DuraTech Texas to help you get it fixed as soon as possible. Call us today!