Home owners dealing with a slab leak in the Murrieta area can be common and frustrating problem. When not addressed, they can cause damage to the house’s foundation, result in the costly waste of a significant amount of water or lead to health issues caused by the presence of mold.
What is a slab leak?
A slab leak in Murrieta or foundation leak, is when a pipe either bursts under the slab or develops a pinhole leak. The most common cause of a slab leak is the soil heaving, shifting or expanding under the slab and causing damage to a pipe. This is common in Southern California, where many homes are built on clay. Variations in temperatures, from hot to cold or vice versa, or heavy rain can cause clay to expand or contract. Slab leaks can also be caused by chemical reactions in the soil that weaken the pipe and cause a leak, or from a pebble in the concrete pressing against a pipe over the years. Earthquakes are another cause.
If you think you have a slab leak in Murrieta, call Rezab Plumbing today at 951-338-6055.
Detecting a slab leak
There are a number of ways to detect a slab leak. One of the most apparent is when water from a leaking pipe forces its way up through the foundation and you either see standing water or notice damp carpet. If you see such a leak, you should immediately call your plumber. Not addressing the problem can lead to serious damage to walls, carpeting, hardwood floors and personal items that come in contact with the water. Sometimes you know you have a slab leak if the floor feels warm or hot to the touch.
If you can’t actually see water, you might detect a musty smell caused by water damage. Mold and mildew can be very dangerous to you and your family. If mold gets into walls, floors, carpets or household items.
Water Pressure
Another sign of a possible slab leak is a decrease in water pressure in your faucets, shower or bathtub. If you experience decreased water pressure in any of your fixtures while no other fixtures are in use, you should immediately suspect a water leak.
Do you hear the sound of water running? Are all the faucets in your house are turned off? If you hear running water its time to call your plumber. Sometimes he will be able to track down the location of the leak. If not, he’ll have to call in a leak detection service if nothing is immediately apparent on the surface.
Other times, you might notice water pooling outside your house that is not coming from a spigot or downspout. If that’s the case, you most likely have a slab leak and will need to call your plumber.
Has your water bill suddenly risen? If there are no visual or audible signs of a slab leak check your water bill. If there are no reasonable explanations you could very well have a slab leak. Check your water bills to see when the increase began and that can give you an idea of how long it’s been going on. Based on the high cost of water in Southern California, you’ll want to get the leak fixed ASAP.
Damage
Besides the aforementioned damage to floors, walls and possessions, an untreated slab leak can lead to damage to the slab itself. Concrete is naturally prone to shifting and cracking, and water running through it from a leak will hasten that process and could cause serious damage.
Repair
Once the plumber tracks down the location of the leak, there are two major ways of repairing the leak. The most common is to jackhammer through the concrete to expose the pipe. This sometimes means removing a bathroom vanity or perhaps moving a large piece of furniture. Once the pipe is repaired or replaced, the plumber will fill the hole with new concrete. Another option is to tunnel beneath the slab. Your plumber will know which option will be the best way to proceed while trying to minimize disruption to your daily life.
For any plumbing needs particularly a slab leak in Murrieta, call Rezab Plumbing today at 951-338-6055.
