Southern California has been experiencing record-breaking amounts of rainfall over the past couple of months. And with all this downpour comes flooding. If you’ve suddenly noticed a spike in your water bills or damp carpet ––you could have a slab leak.
What is a slab leak?
A slab leak is a water leak below the concrete foundation of your home. The water from the leak travels through the crack(s) in the foundation (or slab), creating widespread flooding throughout the rest of your house. As a property owner, it’s crucial to notice the signs of a slab leak early. If left untreated or undetected, it could wind up costing you thousands of dollars to repair and cause serious potential mold problems!
What causes slab leaks
While there’s no one single explanation for every slab leak, the majority are caused by:
- Clay below your foundation
- When soil shifts, it puts pressure on the concrete foundation under your home that can cause cracks
- Water line damage during the installation process
- As time passes, a tiny niche can wear into a bigger hole and cause leakage
- Corrosion
- Your home’s hot and cold water pipes will deteriorate over time due to chemicals in the soil
- Ground shifts
- The weight of your home can put pressure on the pipes when the soil moves, like during an earthquake for example.
The older your home or property, the more likely it is that the soil and foundation have shifted. So, the chances of pipes cracking or breaking are much higher! While it’s never fun to
Use these 5 common slab leak symptoms to stop water damage before it gets too costly to repair:
Unusual Water Pooling
When there’s a slab leak, water will rise from under the floors and will continue to pool. If you have a basement, water is begin to flood there first. If not, it could be happening anywhere on your first floor.
Water Pressure + Water Heating Problems
With water also escaping through a leak, your regular water pressure throughout the rest of your home will be negatively affected. You may also notice an issue with water getting and/or staying hot due to it constantly running through the leak.
Expensive Water Bill
A higher-than-average water bill could mean you’ve got a slab leak! This is because your water is running 24/7 instead of when you’re just turning it on to use.
Mold
If water has been seeping under your floors, it’s likely that mold has already started to fester. Your drywalls can also aboard some of the moisture and grow mold there too. While you won’t be able to see any of these signs, you’ll definitely be able to smell them!
Damp Carpet + Warm Floors
If you have hardwood, tile or linoleum flooring, you’ll notice areas of the floor that are suddenly hot. Hot water from the cracks in the foundation will first heat up the concrete and then warm the floors above it. If you have carpet, you’ll notice damp spots instead of heat.
If you’re noticing any of these 5 slab leak signs, call a professional today! Putting off the problem will only cause more damage and money in the long run.
Call us at 760-713-8344 for a free quote or to speak to one of our expert plumbing specialists today!
Sources:
