Seven Signs of a Slab Leak

Slab leaks happen beneath your house. If left untreated over time, a slab leak can not only create a breeding ground for mold and mildew, it can cause some serious damage to your home’s foundation.  Most leaks are often easy to spot and quick to repair with some professional help. Beyond the pipes that run throughout your walls and basement, there are other leaks to worry about, slab leaks!

Slab leaks can cause a lot of problems for your house, but luckily you can spot a slab leak early. What often happens depends on what sort of terrain your house is built on top of. If there is clay below your foundation, it will expand when wet and shrink when dry. Heaving and shifting soils put massive amounts of pressure on the concrete slab beneath your house, causing the concrete to heave, shift, and eventually crack. Just detecting the source of the leak can set you back up to $400. If a contractor finds multiple leaks, the cost to repair the pipe or worse, repipe your entire house, can cost thousands. The sooner you spot a potential leak, the better. Here are seven signs that your house may have a slab leak.

The sound of running water.

If no water fixture is in use, you shouldn’t hear running water. Next time your house is completely quiet, listen carefully for the sound of running water and make sure no one is running any water when you hear it. If you can’t determine where the sound of running water is coming from, it could be a slab leak. If you’re hearing running water, it could be coming from a crack in the pipes inside the slab foundation.

Wet spots on the floor.

Check your floors for any possible wet spots and puddles as they can be a sign of a slab leak. You might not see any wet spots, but if there is warm water leaking beneath your home’s foundation, you might start feeling warm spots throughout the house.

High water bills.

If you start to notice your water utility bills are higher than usual, it could indicate a number of plumbing issues. One of the most common causes is a leak somewhere in your house. Check any exposed pipes such as the ones underneath your sinks, as the issue might have nothing to do with your foundation. If your water bills are extraordinarily high, that means your house is leaking a lot of water, and that could indicate a slab leak.

Cracking or buckling foundation.

A slab leak will cause damage to your home’s foundation. If you notice any cracks either in the outside of your home’s foundation, or inside on the floor and walls of your house, contact a plumber immediately.

Moldy carpeting.

If there is a slab leak somewhere in your house, your foundation can start to get saturated. Over time that saturation can seep into the flooring of your house, which can rot your wooden floors and dampen carpets. If you notice any of your floors smell musty, you’ll want to contact a plumber right away. Mold is not only an indicator of an expensive leak repair; it’s a major health hazard.

Cracked garage floor.

The floors inside your house aren’t the only property susceptible to water damage. A slab leak can also affect your garage flooring. If you spot cracks in your garage’s concrete floor, there could be an underground waterline leak. If enough water seeps into the concrete floor, it can also cause discoloration.

A drop in water pressure.

If you’ve been experiencing some disappointing showers, or struggle to get enough water out of your faucet, then it’s time to check for an underground plumbing issue. A drop in your house’s water pressure doesn’t guarantee that there’s a slab leak, but it’s still important to have a plumber inspect your plumbing.

There’s always a chance that your house might be trying to tell you something else. Check out these alternative signs of underlying plumbing problems and how to spot them. But if you are convinced you have a slab leak on your hands, there’s not time to waste! 

Don’t Wait Until Your Floors Are Soggy

A slab leak is much more than a nuisance, as it can lead to mold, major structural damage, and costly repairs. Of course, not every leak is caused by a slab leak. No plumbing issue, however, should be left untreated. If you suspect you have a leak somewhere in your home, it’s important to contact a licensed plumber right away. Some leaks are tempting to fix yourself, but a plumber has the right tools to detect the leak and provide you the best solutions for a leak-free home. Don’t let your floors and your health suffer, call today. We offer a wide range of solutions when it comes to leak repairs and our expert technicians have never walk into a situation they could not tackle. Failure to address signs plumbing problems early could result in a plumbing horror story. Don’t take the chance.

Radiant is Austin’s #1 in plumbing and HVAC. Our service area is extensive, covering Dripping Springs, Lakeway, Leander and everywhere in between. When you’re in the middle of a plumbing emergency, rest assured, you’re never far from a Radiant truck. The same goes for A/C troubles in the middle of summer. Relief from an expert Radiant technician is just a phone call away. As of 2021, Radiant serves the greater San Antonio area. Castle Hills and Hollywood Park, to Highland Hills and beyond. In recent years, we’ve been able to expand further into New Braunfels and San Marcos. Serving our local communities is our top priority. As Texas continues to grow, so does our service area! Our range of expertise includes the detection, repair and prevention of slab leaks. If you suspect you are dealing with a slab leak, don’t hesitate to call us to get quick, reliable repairs.

 

Share on:

Check Out Our Special Offers!

Now is the best time to take advantage of our exclusive Spring maintenance savings. Claim your special Early Bird Savings offer: schedule maintenance in the first month of spring & SAVE $39!

Expires:  06/30/2024

With the Radiant Care Club, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your plumbing, heating, and cooling systems are in the expert care of San Antonio’s most-trusted service company. Join the club now to experience the unmatched commitment to quality and care that only Radiant can provide.

Save Money with Specials from Radiant!

To the current special offers at your local Radiant Plumbing and Air Conditioning branch, enter your zip code. 

Read more blogs...

Call or Schedule Your Service Online!

Call or Schedule Your Service Online!

Call or Schedule Your Service Online!