One of the worst plumbing problems you can face as a homeowner is a slab leak. In some cases, rerouting plumbing after detective a slab leak is necessary to fix the problem and prevent future damage to your home.
Finding the slab leak and repairing the broken pipe can take a lot of time and energy. In some instances, you will have to cut or break the concrete slab itself to access the leaking pipe. It can be expensive, and many times it can go undetected for a long time, causing extensive damage.
Sometimes, it’s too difficult and expensive to access the pipe that is leaking. When this happens, you may need to reroute your plumbing to your attic.
Why are Slab Leaks so Harmful?
These leaks cause temporary damage such as:
- Cracks in your walls
- Pools of water in or around your property
- Mild water damage
However, they can also cause more serious damage:
- Mold and mildew. They can lead to severe breathing issues and other health problems.
- Damage to flooring. Replacing your carpet, hardwood floors, or tiles can be costly.
- Subfloor damage. If the leak went on for long enough, it may have caused damage to your subfloor, leading to an even costlier repair.
- Soil erosion. When a slab leak washes away all the soil beneath your home foundation, your house is standing on shaky ground. You’ll need to fix it as soon as possible.
How to Reroute Plumbing
If you decide to reroute your pipes on your own, it’s important that you understand the proper way to go about it. Rerouting the plumbing is a complicated, time-consuming task that is best left to the professionals. But if you want to give it a try, here are a few pointers.
Plan the Route Your New Pipes Will Take
You will need to create a plan for installing the new pipes and rerouting plumbing in your home. Where you redirect your plumbing system depends largely on building codes, but many people choose to reroute their pipes above ground to the attic. For colder climates, it’s best to avoid the outside walls to prevent freezing, but we don’t usually have to worry about that in Arizona. To do this, you’ll need to reroute the pipes up through the walls. Be sure to know exactly where important structures like wiring are located so that you can plan the most efficient system.
Use Existing Plumbing Spaces
If you can, try to plan your new route where your old system used to be. It’ll be much more cost-effective to use any existing plumbing spaces instead of drilling new ones in your walls. This will be much easier to achieve if you use flexible plumbing materials instead of rigid ones.
Prepare for Ventilation
If you’re following the areas where your old plumbing system used to be and not changing the location of the lines, then be sure to keep your existing vents intact. But if you’re creating new spaces, you might need to plan to install more vents. Without proper ventilation near your plumbing lines, pipes may not drain correctly or receive enough airflow.
Plan for Future Access
When rerouting plumbing in your home, you may want to consider installing panels in places that you might need access to in the future. It’s best to place these panels in areas that are inconspicuous if you are worried about how it is going to look. You might consider an area behind a door, or even inside a closet to make it less noticeable.
Turn Off the Water Supply
You might think that I don’t really need to mention this, but you would be surprised. We have had to clean up plenty of messes because someone tried to DIY and didn’t really know what they were doing. So, before you begin rerouting your plumbing, be sure to turn off your main water supply valve.
Install Your New Pipes as Planned
Now that you’ve got a plan, it’s time to reroute your pipes. Are you confident in your abilities to do it the right way the first time? If not, you really should let the professionals take care of it for you.
4 Tips to Consider When Rerouting Water Lines in a Slab Foundation
If you’ve ever had to dig up a slab foundation, you know that the procedure can be tricky. This section gives you 4 tips to consider when rerouting water lines in your basement. Read on for more information!
When it comes to slab leak rerouting, every case has a different solution. One major obstacle to fixing a slab leak is determining how to make the repair. There are many different methods and you must consider if your intended fix will be cost-effective and reliable for years to come.
During rerouting, a professional will examine the slab to identify the origin of the leak. They will then stop any more water from escaping before abandoning the leaking pipe and laying down a new section above ground, routing it through the walls or your attic.
If your house has more than one story, plumbing must be connected in an advanced way by a skilled team of professionals.
When rerouting water lines in a slab foundation, it’s important to consider the best way to route the plumbing lines and adequately protect them from damage. Let’s go over some tips for how you can do that.
4 tips to consider when rerouting plumbing lines
When you have a slab foundation, it is important to make sure that the plumbing lines are routed properly. Here are some tips to consider when you are rerouting your pipes:
Route Through an Existing Path
In order to properly reroute a water line, you must first determine the best route in your home. If you want to avoid extensive concrete construction, rerouting through an existing path in the walls, or through a space like a laundry chute, may be your best option. Modern plumbing employs new materials, such as flexible pipes, that can fit in even small, winding spaces.
Build a Wall Chase
A wall chase is essentially a fake wall that hides your plumbing. If you cannot fit your plumbing through an existing path, this is another option you should consider. Wall chases can extend across multiple levels, so they are also an option for multi-story houses. Going with this choice does require a bit of construction, so keep that in mind when you weigh your options. It might take longer and add costs to the project.
Go Through the Attic
When you are considering rerouting a water line in your slab foundation, it is often a good idea to go through the attic. If you are not sure where to start, consult with an experienced plumber.
Other Options
If none of these options sound like they will work for your situation, you may need to consider some other creative solutions. You should consult with a plumber who is experienced with slab leaks and plumbing rerouting so you can learn what options are available to you.
Rerouting Plumbing Can Be Difficult. Get the Professional Help You Need!
Give us a call at 602-883-2761 today if you want to learn more about how Custom Plumbing of Arizona can help you reroute your home’s plumbing system. We are experts, and we’ll do it right the first time.