A lot of houses are built on a concrete foundation, which a lot of people call a slab. The plumbing might run under the slab. It would have been installed before the concrete was poured. In some ways, the set up protects your plumbing since the pipes aren’t as exposed to the elements as they would be in a different layout, such as pipes running through a crawlspace. However, pipes can still break down from age and use, and when pipes in a slab break down, it can be harder to detect since the leak can take awhile to reach the inside of your home.
What makes slab leaks so devastating is that by the time you do notice the leak is present, the damage is usually extensive. You might be able to fix the leak with simple repipe repair, but you may have thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to your home. Here is just some of the type of damage that a slab leak can cause:
Damaged Foundation
Of course, the first place that a leak will travel is the foundation if that’s where the pipes are located. Over time, the consistent water exposure can cause the concrete to swell, which can make it shift or crack. It can be very expensive to cut out and replace or to repair those portions of the foundation that have been damaged so.
Keep in mind that these changes in a foundation can also lead to problems in the rest of your house. A cracked or misshapen foundation is going to sag or push against other parts of your house, which can cause strain on everything from the framing to the ceiling, leading to cracks, peeling paint, and much more.
Ruined Flooring
Once the leak starts to make its way into your house, one of the first things it’s going to damage is your floor. Laminate and wood floors are going to be the most susceptible, and they will be prone to buckling, peeling, rotting, and molding. However, even tile floors can get damaged. The subfloor underneath them can become damaged, which can make the tile crack and break. Mold can also spread through the grout and the floors themselves.
Know that if your floors are ruined, you are going to have to replace much more than the surface layer. You’ll end up needing to replace the underlayment and the subfloor, as well.
Mold and Odors
Water is insidious. It can get into everything, and it can invite the growth of mold, mildew, and other bacteria. Not only will that lead to the growth of organisms that can be bad for your health, but it can also create some nasty smells throughout your house that air freshener just won’t cover up.
If mold has spread in your home, you will likely need a specialist to remove it. Chemicals may be needed to treat it, and the area may need to be exposed to air and heat to dry out the moisture and remove the conditions in which mold thrive. Depending on the type of mold and the extent of its spread, you may then need to repair and replace the areas of your home that were affected.
Damaged Yard
Usually, your yard needs all the water it can get, especially in sunny California. But too much water from a slab leak can cause flooding in your yard that can ruin your grass and other landscaping. If you have a pool, the flooding and the shifting soil can damage your pool, as well, which can lead to the need for serious repairs.
It’s best to stay aware of the signs and symptoms of a slab leak so that you can call a Laguna Niquel repiping plumber for immediate attention to prevent the spread of damage. Some of the signs include higher water bills that are unexplained, water spots on the floor or other areas of your home, swelling in the floor or yard, and strange sounds you can’t explain. Your Oceanside plumber may be able to repipe sections of your plumbing to correct the problem, or you may need to consider repiping to address systemic problems.
The specialists at Integrity Repipe in California can help if you have a slab leak or another plumbing problem. Our repiping plumbers will inspect your system and get to the root of the problem. They will then help you understand your options not only to correct the immediate problem but also to prevent long-term issues. Our goal is to optimize the health of your plumbing system and your home. Call us today to schedule an inspection and consultation with a repiping plumber.
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/