How long does it take to fix a slab leak? Find out in this article, then get in touch with us to fix the problem!
Are you seeing warm water spots on the floor, low water pressure in the shower, or a higher-than-expected water bill? Your property may have a slab leak.
A slab leak occurs if the pipes under your home’s concrete foundation get broken. Initially, these leaks may seem minor. However, if you do nothing, they may cause considerable damage.
Since there is no simple access to the underground pipes, the whole process of fixing a slab leak may be stressful, complex, and expensive. Also, if you didn’t know, it’s likely that your insurance won’t pay for the repairs.
What causes a slab leak?
There are many possible causes of a pipe leak beneath the slab. Perhaps the most important is the faulty building of your home. The problem may happen if the pipes’ quality is substandard or if the pipes are bent or damaged during installation.
Sometimes, pipes are made of copper, which is more likely to corrode, so a new pipe needs to be installed instead of just repaired. Abrasion can cause pipes to leak. Abrasion occurs when tubes rub against other materials, like other pipes, gravel, or concrete.
Even if the building of your house is perfect, the water pressure can cause the pipes to leak. Erosion from an earthquake can cause the soil under the foundation to move, putting pressure on the pipes. Leaks in slabs can cause a lot of damage and cause flooding if they are not fixed.
The pH of the water can also cause slab leaks. Anything too acidic or too basic will damage the pipes over time.
Slab leak detection and repair
When a leak is discovered, the expert begins the repair procedure. Your plumber will decide how to fix it. Most slab leaks can be fixed in one of three ways:
- Re-piping: Sometimes, the entire plumbing system will need replacement. This is because it’s very old. In this instance, the re-piping procedure is used. Instead of fixing just one pipe, a professional might choose to repair the whole system.
- Opening Foundation: This is the most intrusive option because you must dig through the slab to reach the damaged pipe.
- Pipe coating is among the simplest and most highly recommended methods since the pipe can be recoated using the epoxy mixture. It is inexpensive and less disruptive, as well as eco-friendly.
How long does it take to fix a slab leak?
Naturally, plumbers must first locate the slab leak’s specific position. They do this by using modern equipment like pressure sensors, video pipe cameras, and other devices. They may then proceed to repair the leak.
On average, repairing a slab leak might take one to three days. The time might vary depending on two factors:
- The severity of the damage
- Plumbers’ preferred method of repair
What happens if you don’t fix a slab leak?
If you don’t catch a slab leak early enough, you might anticipate significant damage of numerous kinds. The following are the most common effects of an undetected slab leak:
Slab leaks may cause your foundation to slide or possibly break, depending on the severity of the leak.
- Flooring deterioration: If you wait too long for the leak to stop, you’ll have soaked carpets, broken tiles, and wet flooring.
- Yard flooding: Leaks in your concrete foundation may spread and even end up in your yard, causing damage to your grass, landscaping, and outdoor pools.
- Mold: Mold develops when water from slab leaks reaches the drywall. As a consequence, drywall becomes saturated, and mold begins to form. This slab leak byproduct is extremely harmful since it may cause respiratory infections and other health issues.
Conclusion
How long does it take to fix a slab leak? If you hire a professional, repairing a slab leak can be quick and easy. Look for someone who has done it before. Ask around, get reviews, and only then make a decision. If you hire someone who doesn’t have any idea of what they’re doing, they’ll probably make a mess. Your plumbing system is pretty complicated. If you do something wrong, the whole system can be broken.