Slab Leak

A slab leak is one of the most common plumbing problems in every household, where water pipes inside or underneath the concrete structure of the house start leaking. It happens when cracked or ruptured water pipes remain unattended without being mended or replaced with new pipes. A lot of water is wasted because of such ruptured pipes, as it constantly leaks out water. It can also cause damages to the structural design of the wall or the house. Considering their ruinous nature, it is essential to detect suck leaky conduit pipes as early as possible and get them fixed.

How to Detect the Leak
There are various things which can cause these leaks. The pH level of the water is the most important factor, as the pipes carrying this water get affected by it. Water with more pH level can damage pipes faster. Another reason could be high pressure of water, if the diameter of the pipe is small. With excessive burden on small pipes it is possible for them to bend or rupture. It is also possible where the direction of the pipe changes. The very obvious reason for slab leak could be poor craftsmanship wherein the pipes are not properly installed. Sometimes the chemical reaction between the pipes and the soil or cement might cause corrosion and decomposition of the pipes.

Following are some common signs and symptoms of the leak. If you notice any of them in your apartment or home, then it is a certain call for some plumbing tasks.

• Sudden rise in the water bills
• Low water pressure in home
• Damp spots and stains on the flooring or the walls
• Undue moisture under the carpets or wallpaper
• Cracks on the walls or flooring

How to Fix the Leak
It is ideal to call professional plumbers in case you sense great damage. With modern equipment, plumbers can detect the slab leak and location with minimal damage caused to the floor or walls. However, to repair the pipes, digging is mandatory. Plumbers can come up with solutions such as changing only the leaking portion of the pipe, or coating the pinholes in the pipe with a strong waterproof adhesive, etc. But in older housing structures, the plumbing system used is also very primitive. In such cases, changing the entire pipe or changing the route of the pipe is the only option. Slab leak repair cost depends on the damage of the pipe, price of the new pipe or other parts, and digging and replacing cost. Generally, a plumber charges a minimum of $500 to reach the leak, but this is by no means a fixed amount. The cost varies from plumber to plumber and you can call various plumbers and settle for the most affordable one. However, you should be assured of the quality of the plumbing goods and supplies. On the other hand, if you decide to do it yourself, then the following steps given below can help you fix a leak on your own.

• Detecting the leak is very important in order to fix the problem. First identify the origin and location of the water leak and mark that area with a chalk or a tape.
• Carefully remove a square foot of flooring from that area with the proper tools. Try not to cause too much damage to the flooring or the wall to save further replacement cost.
• Using a suitable drill machine, start drilling in the slab, which is generally 4 inches thick. Make a small hole wherein your hand can locate and reach the leak.
• Shut the main source of water and enlarge the hole so that you can replace the ruptured pipe with a new one with proper welding.
• You can close the hole with concrete after 2-3 days, when you are sure of the leak being sealed properly.
• When the concrete of the hole has dried, fix the flooring again to its place using a strong construction adhesive and leave it to dry.

Slab leak is not only inconvenient, but destructive as well, so it is advisable to repair it immediately with some cost-effective solutions. The next time you have dripping water in the dining hall, your blood need not run cold. Just fix it so you can enjoy uninterrupted family dinners in the future.