Slab leaks can be some of the worst plumbing problems to deal with. The leaks start under your concrete slab, so you don’t even know that there is a problem until there is extensive damage. Repairing your concrete foundation can cost thousands of dollars and put you out of your house for some time, so avoiding slab leaks should be a top priority for every home owner.
Here are a few things you can do to prevent slab leaks in your home:
Have the Pipes Inspected Regularly
Your pipes can break down with age or with wear, but you may not know that there is a problem if you aren’t having any troubles with your water. The best thing you can do is schedule an annual inspection of your plumbing so you can learn about the early signs of breakdown and have repairs made as they are needed.
By keeping tabs on the health of your plumbing system like these, you can make corrections before any damage has a chance to occur in your slab. You might just need to make repairs, or you might need to repipe your system. You’ll know when the time is right for both by getting regular inspections.
Deal with Water Pressure Issues Immediately
Problems with your water pressure affect a lot more than the quality of your shower. If you don’t have the right water pressure, your pipes can be put under a lot of strain. Eventually, the continual strain of high water pressure can cause your pipes to break down. They may leak, or they may even burst. If that happens under your slab, you will have a big problem on your hands.
You can protect your pipes by calling in a plumber as soon as you
notice a problem with your water pressure. Don’t put it off to your pipes just acting up. And don’t shrug it off thinking that you can endure the change in your shower or laundry. Call a plumber to get to the bottom of the issue and make sure it doesn’t cause any more problems.
Correct Build Up in the Pipes
Sediment can build up in your pipes over time, as can grease and
other debris. When there is build up in your pipes, it can put pressure on your plumbing system. You may experience leaks, or the pipes may corrode over time. Again, if any of that happens in the pipes below your slab, you are going to be looking at costly and timely repairs.
Have your water tested for hardness to determine if you need to install a water softener to eliminate minerals like iron or calcium. Make a habit of throwing grease away in a proper receptacle rather than pouring it down the drain. Never put food or other waste down your drain. Keep your pipes as clean as possible. If you do get a clog, always hire a plumber clear it rather than risk damaging your pipes with a caustic drain cleaner.
Be Alert to Signs of a Leak
The earlier you can repair a leak, the less damage there will be to your slab. So while you won’t technically be preventing a slab leak, you can prevent further damage by staying alert to the signs of a leak.
Some signs that you may have a leak in your slab include the sound of running water when no faucet is turned on, a hot spot on the floor (which could indicate a leak in the hot water line), mold or mildew on the floors, and moisture under the carpets. If you notice any of these sign, call in a plumber immediately to inspect the situation. If you do have a leak, hopefully you will have caught it before very much damage occurs to your foundation.
Slab leaks can cause some of the most damage to your home. Even if they start slow, they can go undetected for a long time, and they can cause major damage to your foundation, which can destabilize your whole home. Follow these tips to prevent a slab leak or to minimize the damage if you do get one.
Many times, a slab leak is a sign that your system is aging out and needs to be replaced. Integrity Repipe is a repiping specialist. We can rebuild your system so that you can enjoy healthy plumbing for many years to come. We work with all types of plumbing, but we specialize in PEX, which is a great choice because it is flexible and non-corrosive. You won’t experience as many problems with PEX, and since it is flexible, you may even be able to reroute your plumbing so that it isn’t in your slab and you don’t have to do any other remodeling. Call us in California today to talk to one of our repiping specialists.
Published by – Integrity Repipe Inc
Integrity Repipe Inc – Mission Viejo, CA
27281 Las Ramblas, Suite 200
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Phone: 877-473-7473
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Integrity Repipe Inc – San Clemente, CA
927 Calle Negocio Suite O
San Clemente, CA 92673
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Integrity Repipe Inc – Long Beach, CA
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Integrity Repipe Inc – Chula Vista, CA
591 Telegraph Canyon Road
Chula Vista, CA 91910
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Integrity Repipe Inc – Ladera Ranch, CA
27762 Antonio Parkway L1
Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
Phone: 949-397-2795
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Integrity Repipe Inc – Lakeside, CA
8337 Winter Gardens Boulevard
Lakeside, CA 92040
Phone: 619-494-3507
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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
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