What are the warning signs of a slab leak? While some leaks are easy to detect, others require a discerning eye (and nose) to find. Slab leaks are especially difficult to detect since they happen under your home’s concrete slabs. Luckily, there are five warning signs of a slab leak that can point you in the right direction.
5 Warning Signs of a Slab Leak
- Increasing Water Bills
This is perhaps one of the most conspicuous warning signs of a slab leak. When there’s any type of leak in your home, your water runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—even when you’re not actively using it to wash dishes or shower, for example. Naturally, your water bill will be higher than usual. If there are no other indications of increased water use, such as additional guests in your home, then you might have a leak. When you can’t find any visible signs of a leak, you might need to hire a plumber to identify a slab leak.
- Low Water Pressure
There’s nothing worse than turning on the faucet for a nice hot shower, only to find that your water pressure is lower than ever. It’s normal for there to be lower water pressure when other faucets are running, such as when two showers run at the same time. But if your bathroom typically has great water pressure when no other faucets are on, a sudden decrease could be a cause for concern. When you have a slab leak, water is escaping from crevices and cracks in your pipe when it shouldn’t be.
- Flooring Problems
Most slab leaks happen in the hot water line. When hot water escapes from a pipe, it typically goes upward, heating your concrete slabs in random places. As a result, you might find that there are unusual hot spots on your floor. Similarly, the water can reach your flooring boards and cause warping or other types of damage. With carpet, you might find that there are peculiar damp spots (even when nobody has spilled their drink).
- Running Water Sounds
Do you ever find yourself listening to the sound of running water even when it’s silent and all the faucets are off in your home? If you suspect a leak, try turning off all your water fixtures (including your water heater) on a quiet afternoon. When you still hear the sound of running water, it could be time to repair a slab leak.
- Bad Odors
From time to time, your home might capture some funky smells—but you can often remedy them with the right cleaning products. When water escapes from your pipes and rises, it often doesn’t dry properly. This creates the perfect moist environment for fungus to thrive under your floor and carpet or behind your walls. Mold and mildew have a particular musty scent that you’ll be able to catch before you ever see visible signs of growth. If you find your floors or walls giving off this unpleasant smell, your home might have a slab leak.
Need to Repair a Slab Leak?
When you catch most of these warning signs of a slab leak, it’s time to call in the professionals. Our plumbing specialists can diagnose any leaks and provide you with affordable solutions. Call Custom Plumbing of Arizona today at 602-883-2761. We’ll set you up with a free estimate and send an expert plumber over as soon as possible.