How to Find and Repair Slab Leaks

Over half of more recently-constructed American homes feature slab foundations. When a water pipe or sewage line beneath a slab foundation develops a leak, you are dealing with a slab leak. This kind of leak isn’t just extremely costly to repair, but it can also inflict an immense amount of damage.

What causes these leaks, how can you detect a slab leak, and what might the repair process entail?

Warning Signs That You May Have a Slab Leak

The most common red flags that point to a potential slab leak are:

Hearing running water (in this case within the floor) even when you are not running any appliances that rely on water.
Abnormally high water bills that cannot be explained by factors like house guests or seasonal changes also often indicate a leak somewhere on your property, although they do not specifically point to a slab leak.
Slab leaks often lead to moist or even outright wet spots somewhere on your flooring. Where warm or hot water is leaking, localized warm areas can also result from a leak.
Ongoing slab leaks lead to an abundance of moisture. This will often be followed by signs of mold, which are another sign of a slab leak.
When slab leaks continue for longer periods of time, cracks in foundational walls may be seen. The longer the leak continues, the more extensive the damage is likely to be.

When you notice a combination of these warning signs, there is a good chance that you have a slab leak.

What Causes Slab Leaks?

Slab leaks can have a variety of different underlying causes.

Soil that is vulnerable to contracting and expanding, such as sandy or clay-based soil, leads to notorious lateral shifting. Poor soil quality is a primary cause of slab leaks, especially in Texas.

Poorly-installed water lines and sewage pipes are likewise more prone to cracks, which can lead to leaks. Aging pipes, especially those made from copper, galvanized steel, and cast iron are, meanwhile, subject to age-related wear and tear.

The local water quality and chemistry is another factor to consider. Acidic and hard water can lead to slab leaks over time.

Because slab leaks can have multiple different causes, and you may not be aware of the exact location of the leak, calling in a non-invasive leak detection company is typically the best course of action if you want to find out where the slab leak originates.

How to Repair a Slab Leak

Repairing slab leaks is a complex and time-consuming process that is best left to the professionals — DIY is not a good approach to these serious leaks. You will, however, often have a few different options, including:

Trenchless slab leak repair is a relatively non-invasive approach to fixing slab leaks that requires only localized demolition. After the source of the leak is detected with an endoscope and laid bare, it can be repaired, and the floor can be restored.
If you are determined to preserve your flooring, but your slab leak has multiple sources, contractors can tunnel underneath your floors to repair the damage from below. While this option can take longer, you will be able to remain in your home as repairs take place.
When the slab leak is more extensive, pipes may need to be rerouted. This repair process involves the demolition of parts of your flooring. While contractors will do their best to minimize the damage, you can expect this process to take several days and be rather costly.

How to Find and Repair Slab Leaks