Identifying Household Slab Leaks
It’s never much fun to deal with plumbing problems in your Bothell area home, and slab leaks are certainly no exception. If you’re unfamiliar with what a slab leak is, the term refers to leaking water pipes under your home, beneath the concrete slab that the house is built upon. These troublesome leaks can cause serious flooding issues in your home, which can cause significant water damage to your flooring, walls, furniture, appliances, and other possessions. First, though, you have to recognize the issue in your home, and the sooner you realize you’re dealing with a slab leak, the better your chances will be of minimizing the damage.
Common Signs of a Slab Leak in Your Home
Rising Water Bills
When a slab leak is present beneath your home, it will have a direct impact on the amount of water you’re using. In turn, your monthly water bills will likely start to rise significantly. If you’ve noticed that you’re suddenly paying more than normal for your household water usage, it likely indicates an underlying plumbing issue. While a slab leak is one of several potential plumbing problems that may affect your water bills, it’s certainly a possibility you’ll want to consider.
Damp Flooring or Carpeting
If you notice the presence of damp spots around your flooring or carpeting, it’s a dead giveaway that you’re dealing with some sort of a leak. If you can rule out the possibility of leaking pipes or appliances in the area, then there’s a good chance you have a slab leak on your hands. Once the water from below has reached your living space, it’s especially important that you take prompt action, like scheduling an appointment with your local plumbing professional.
Floor Feeling Hot
If the water leaking beneath your home’s concrete slab is hot water, then you may start to notice hot spots around your flooring. Over time, that hot water can eat away at the concrete slab and your flooring. Plus, it can force your water heater to run constantly, putting extra wear and tear on the appliance and adding to your energy bills.
Low Water Pressure
Another very common sign of a slab leak is a noticeable decrease in your household water pressure. When water is leaking from the pipes below your home, there’s less water available when you turn on any of your faucets or fixtures. As a result, you could start noticing either weak or inconsistent water pressure when you’re showering, cleaning dishes, or washing your hands. Granted, low water pressure can be a symptom of many other plumbing problems, such as leaking or clogged pipes. If your Seattle area home’s water pressure starts to dip, you should immediately enlist our leak detection services to get to the bottom of the issue.
What Causes a Slab Leak?
There are a handful of potential reasons why a slab leak may occur beneath your home. These leaks are always the result of the pipes below your concrete slab being damaged, but there are several ways that the damage can come about. Most commonly, slab leaks will happen due to the corrosion of aging pipes, which is why these kinds of leaks occur most frequently in older houses.
Slab leaks can also be caused by a number of small abrasions taking place over time. As the pipes beneath your home expand and contract over time, they can rub up against the concrete slab and nearby rocks. Gradually, that can cause enough damage to the pipes to create leaks. Those leaks may start out small, but they will continue to grow until they can be addressed by professionals.
