One of the most critical elements of ensuring that you don’t have a leak under your slab is the capability for early detection. Negligence to maintain the slab foundation will lead to costly repairs. Not to mention, the leakage will also destroy the structural foundation of your house. Fortunately, there are some telltale signs that you can identify to catch a leak before it gets worse.
Increase in your water bills
Naturally, a leak leads to water wastage, and that, in turn, leads to higher water utility bills than usual. You have to understand that even the slightest of leak or dripping will cause 24/7 wastage. So, if there is an abrupt spike in your bills, and that you cannot determine where the leak is, there is a good chance your sink slab is leaking.
Water starts accumulating where it shouldn’t
Until you identify a slab leak, there is a high probability that water will start to accumulate right below the slab foundation that is unless the water starts making its way down through cracks. So, it is a worthy idea to check the slab foundation at the exterior of your house, if it seems damp, or if there is water pooling in that area, you have a slab leak.
However, that is not to say that the water won’t pool inside your house, for example, the bathroom floor or your kitchen. If you have made sure that all your water appliances, like your boiler or the washing machine, are not leaking, it could be that the slab water is escaping through the leak in the foundation.
Your carpet is damp or your flooring seems slightly warped
When there is a leakage in the slab foundation, after the water accumulates, it will usually travel up. That means, the water will start seeping through the floors, and the damage it causes will be clearly visible. Moreover, if your floors are carpeted, feel it for dampness, or analyze if the color suddenly seems darker than it originally was. If you have wooden flooring, it will start to slightly warp when wet.
You spot mildew and mold
The leak from slab will push the water upwards, and it will start to seep into your floors, which in turn means you will start to see mold and mildew spreading under your carpet. That is when it is absolutely essential that you get Dallas under slab plumbing. Mold and mildew are harmful bacteria, and if it starts to spread throughout your house, it may lead to several health complications, including respiratory disease.
A sudden drop in water pressure
When your water pipes are constantly leaking, it reduces the normal pressure of water in your faucets, showers and the rest of your water fixtures. You may notice the decrease in water pressure when you shower or use the toilet. So, when this happens, and every other water appliance in the house seems to be working normally, then the culprit is most likely a slab leak.
A constantly running water heater
Several households have water heaters installed right below the slab foundation, so when there is a leak, it is quite literally the same as keeping the hot water faucet on all the time. However, this also means that your water will constantly function, racking up your heating bills. So, if you realize that your water heater is functioning non-stop, there is a good chance your slab is leaking.
How you can inspect your plumbing
If you have identified some or more of the signs mentioned above, there are also some steps you can take to test your plumbing before you opt for a professional.
- The best way to check for a slab leak is to turn off every single water appliance you have installed in your house. Then check everywhere.
- Take a look at your water meter. Your water meter will most probably be installed right next to your driveway. If it is not there, you can check along the boundary of your house. The meter will be wrapped in plastic or encased in metal, and there will be a label marked “Water Meter”.
- If the covering is plastic, it would be easier to remove. If it is metal, you are going to have to unscrew it. After you remove the cover safely, check numerical digits on the water meter or you can have a look at the ‘triangle’ on the meter to ensure there is no water leakage in your house.
- If the red triangle present on the meter is rotating, then that means you have a water leak in your house, and the water is also flowing through the pipes, which also means you should probably check your slab foundation.
Wrapping up
So there you go, a short yet accurate guide on what to look out for when you have a leaking slab foundation. Look into these, and you can easily identify the problem area and work on its solution.