If your home is built on a concrete slab, your plumbing and electricity run through it. Those pipes and lines were put in place before the home was built, and the concrete was poured on top of them. If you get a plumbing leak in the concrete slab, the water can spread and damage your home’s foundation, as well as allow mold to proliferate.
Signs that you have a slab leak include mold in your floors (which may travel up your walls), the smell of moisture or mildew, or bumps and uneven patches in your floor. If you see any of these signs, you should call an experienced plumber from Integrity Repipe right away to check for a slab leak.
Knowing the causes of slab leaks can help you understand the problem a bit better. Here are four common causes of slab leaks:
Ground Shifts Damage the Foundation
Over time, the ground can shift. Clay is often the culprit. When clay sits below your foundation, the ground is more likely to move and serve as an insecure base for your concrete slab. Without proper support, the slab can crack. The weight of your home can also cause the slab to crack, even if the lack of support didn’t cause it.
When the foundation cracks, it can fall in places and damage your plumbing, or it can put pressure on the pipes that causes them to burst. Cracks in your foundation are a major problem, so if you discover that this is the issue causing your leak, you need to have it fixed as soon as possible.
Ground Shifts Damage the Pipes
Shifting soil doesn’t just put pressure on the concrete slab itself; it also puts pressure on the plumbing, which likely runs along the ground. Depending on how the soil has shifted, the ground could be pushing up against the pipes, which could create enough pressure to cause them to crack or burst. Or the ground could drop down, taking away necessary support and putting pressure on the pipes that causes damage.
A plumber can replace the pipes and ensure that the problem doesn’t happen again, such as by using a flexible material like PEX piping near Aliso Viejo, by putting in additional supports, or by rerouting the pipes.
The Pipes Were Damaged during Installation
Even the professionals make mistakes sometimes. When your slab was installed, it’s possible that the workers accidentally hit the pipes and nicked them. Though the damage may have been thought too small to be a problem at the time (or maybe even wasn’t noticed), wear and tear and pressure on the pipes can cause a larger crack or hole to appear.
The only thing you can do for this problem is to replace the pipes. Ask your California plumber to check the health of nearby pipes to ensure there are no other lingering issues.
The Pipes are Corroded
Nothing lasts forever, and certainly not plumbing. Over time, your pipes can wear down from corrosion. This may lead to a small leak or a major gusher. Obviously, if this happens, you’ll need to have the pipes replaced.
Integrity Repipe in Orange typically recommends PEX piping to our customers, partially because it is resistant to such corrosion. That’s not to say that it will last forever or won’t be damaged, but it is not as susceptible as other types of plumbing to corrosion.
Even a small leak can lead to major damage to your home, so if you notice any signs that you may have a slab leak, you must call a plumber to inspect the situation as soon as possible. The sooner you can have the leak fixed, the less damage your home will suffer. You’ll end up saving yourself a lot of money and frustration. While your plumber is down there, you might also discover other problems with your plumbing before they can cause additional damage.
Contact Integrity Repipe today for service in Mission Viejo or the surrounding area. Our licensed and insured plumbers can inspect your system and perform any needed repairs or maintenance. If it’s required, they can also perform repiping and give you recommendations about the best pipes for your property. Call us today to schedule an inspection or to learn more about how we can help.
Published by – Integrity Repipe Inc
Integrity Repipe Inc – Mission Viejo, CA
27281 Las Ramblas, Suite 200
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Phone: 877-473-7473
Website: integrityrepipe.com
Integrity Repipe Inc – San Clemente, CA
927 Calle Negocio Suite O
San Clemente, CA 92673
Phone: 949-397-2404
Website: integrityrepipe.com/san-clemente
Integrity Repipe Inc – Long Beach, CA
2201 N Lakewood Blvd, Ste D #297
Long Beach, CA 90815
Phone: 562-362-5040
Website: integrityrepipe.com/long-beach
Integrity Repipe Inc – Chula Vista, CA
591 Telegraph Canyon Road
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Phone: 619-313-5744
Website: integrityrepipe.com/chula-vista
Integrity Repipe Inc – Ladera Ranch, CA
27762 Antonio Parkway L1
Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
Phone: 949-397-2795
Website: integrityrepipe.com/ladera-ranch
Integrity Repipe Inc – Lakeside, CA
8337 Winter Gardens Boulevard
Lakeside, CA 92040
Phone: 619-494-3507
Website: integrityrepipe.com/lakeside
Integrity Repipe Inc – Aliso Viejo, CA
27068 La Paz Rd #771
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Phone: 949-449-1142
Website: integrityrepiping.com/aliso-viejo-repipe-copper-pex-ca
Integrity Repipe Inc – Oceanside, CA
1759 Oceanside Blvd C,
Oceanside, CA 92054
Phone: 442-300-3057
Website: integrityrepiping.com/oceanside-repipe-copper-pex
Integrity Repipe Inc – Porter Ranch, CA
19360 Rinaldi
Porter Ranch, CA 91326
Phone: 818-630-9265
Website: integrityrepiping.com/porter-ranch/