What Is a Slab Leak and How Serious Is It?

According to the EPA, around 10% of homes have leaks wasting 90 gallons or more of water per day. Oftentimes, leaks simply go unnoticed, but they also tend to be ignored by homeowners or accepted as normal. Now, not all leaks are equal. A leaky faucet still runs down the drain and safely travels through your plumbing system, but a slab leak is a different beast. These are among the most serious and damaging plumbing issues any home or business owner can face. They occur beneath your home's concrete foundation, which makes them difficult to detect and even more challenging to repair. Left untreated or ignored, a slab leak can cause unthinkable damage to your home's structure and foundation. 

Understanding what a slab leak is, how they occur, and tricks to spot their signs early can be incredibly helpful to mitigating damage and saving money. So let’s get right to it.

What Is a Slab Leak?

A slab leak is a plumbing leak that occurs in the water lines beneath the concrete slab foundation of a building or home. Plumbing pipes run through or under the slab of concrete foundation, so when these pipes crack or develop leaks, water begins to seep into the concrete foundation, soil, and even your home’s flooring. While these leaks can occur in both hot and cold water lines, they’re more commonly found in the hot water lines due to the extra wear and tear of carrying high heat.

How and Why Are Slab Leaks Caused?

1. Corrosion

   • Metal plumbing pipes corrode over time, especially if they’re buried in acidic soil rich in minerals. This natural corrosion can create small holes or cracks in the pipes, leading to leaks.

2. Poor Installation

   • If the plumbing pipes were incorrectly installed during construction, slab leaks can develop very quickly. By incorrect installation, we mean substandard materials, poorly soldered joints, or improper pipe placements.

3. Shifting Soil

   • Due to heavy rains and seasonal temperature changes, the Georgia climate can cause significant fluctuations in soil expansion and contraction. This frequent movement can place extra pressure on your pipes and cause them to crack, bend, or burst.

4. Abrasion

   • Since they’re laid under the concrete slab, these water pipes can eventually rub against the foundation or other pipes and experience wear and tear. This is again more common in hot water lines where thermal expansion and contraction can expedite degradation.

5. High Water Pressure

   • Excessive water pressure can stress pipes and fittings, leading to leaks underneath the slab.

Are Slab Leaks Serious?

A slab leak is incredibly serious and can destroy your home's foundation and structural integrity over time, leading to thousands of dollars in repairs. It takes time, but if the leak is left untreated long enough it can erode the soil under your slab and cause the foundation to shift, crack, or sink. This type of movement affects the entire structure and can cause uneven flooring, cracks in your walls, stuck doors, and overall structural instability.

It can also introduce mold growth in as little as 24 to 48 hours if the persistent moisture begins to seep into your flooring or walls. Mold causes even further structural damage as it compromises the materials where it spreads and poses health issues and respiratory problems for residents. The longer that water is leaking into the foundation, the more the reach and severity of the overall damage becomes. 

What Are the Common Signs of a Slab Leak, and Can I Diagnose It Myself?

Correctly identifying a slab leak can be tricky, but there are definitely several tell-tale signs that you can watch out for:

1. Unexplained Water Bill Increase

   • A sudden unseen spike in your water bill without changes in usage could point to a hidden leak under your foundation.

2. Hot Spots on the Floor

   • A random warm area on your flooring could be due to a leak in the hot water line beneath your feet.

3. Sound of Running Water

   • Hearing running water when all your taps and faucets are off is one of the strongest indicators of a potential slab leak.

4. Cracks in Walls or Flooring

   • As we mentioned earlier, cracks can appear in your walls or flooring due to a foundation shift from a slab leak.

5. Mold or Mildew

   • Visible mold growth on your flooring or walls in areas that are usually dry could be an indicator of a slab leak near that spot.

6. Water Pooling Around Your Foundation

   • Standing water around the outside of your home could be a signal that it is seeping from a leak under the slab foundation.

Can I Fix a Slab Leak Myself?

Unfortunately, fixing a slab leak is not a DIY project. It is a substantial undertaking that requires specialized equipment, knowledge, and experience to pinpoint and repair the leak correctly. Missing the mark on the leak’s location can lead to unnecessary repairs and damage to your slab since you have to break through it to reach the pipe in question. As well as that, any substandard repair can lead to a subsequent leak or issues elsewhere in the system beneath the slab. The last thing you want is another slab leak after going through the entire process once.

There are a number of plumbing issues that can be resolved quickly and simply with the right know-how, but a slab leak is something you’ll want to entrust to a professional, and not just any professional.

You Can Trust RX-Plumbing

At RX-Plumbing, you’ll receive Master Plumber expertise and experience when you give us a call for your slab leak. We also carry all of the industry leading tools needed to quickly and precisely diagnose, pinpoint, and repair the slab leaks with a promise of minimal disruption to your home. Our team of experienced technicians uses advanced technology like moisture meters, infrared cameras, ultrasonic detectors, and video cameras to ensure that you’re receiving the best service possible for a quick repair that will stand the test of time.

We’re committed to transparency, quality, and five-star service so that we can earn yours and our neighbors’ trust in the north Atlanta region. We understand firsthand the need for urgency, precision, and non-invasive methods when dealing with a slab leak, which is why we promise prompt, reliable service that will get your home back to normal quicker than you thought possible.

If you have a slab leak or are simply suspicious of one, don’t wait—contact RX-Plumbing today! Our team is here to answer the call 24/7 with professional expertise and a commitment to excellence. Let us handle the hard work and know that your home is in good hands.