Leaky plumbing can cause property damage and raise the cost of your water bill.
Slab leaks, which occur underneath your home’s foundation, need to be repaired
quickly by knowledgeable professionals. It requires specialized knowledge
and equipment.
Electric listening equipment and electromagnetic pipe locators need to
be used to find out where the leak is located before any further work
is done. Slab leaks can damage the foundation of your home which can become
even more costly.
What Causes Slab Leaks?
Corrosion of the pipes is the most common cause of slab leaks. That occurs
when there is an electrical charge along the metal pipe. That along with
the water balance can cause what’s called, electrolysis. Eventually
the metal pipes corrode to the point that they have holes.
Abrasion can also cause holes to form in pipes. Vibrations can cause the
pipe to rub against something else and eventually a hole is formed. The
expansion and contraction of the metal pipes can do the same thing. In
some cases poor decisions that were made when construction work was being
done can you to have a slab leak later.
How Do I Know If I Have A Slab Leak?
A higher water bill can be one indication that you have a leak. Water coming
up from under the pavement is a key sign of a slab leak. A hot water slab
leak might cause a warm spot on the floor. Cracks in the pavement, and
even along the wall are also signs of a slab leak. In some cases people
might continue to hear water running after it has been turned off.
How Long Does A Repair Take?
Slab leaks can take four to eight hours to repair. It depends on the severity
of the problem and the method used to repair it. Slab leaks occur under
the pavement so there are only two ways of getting to it. The direct route
involves using a jackhammer to break through the concrete pavement to
get to where the leak is at. The other method is to tunnel to where the
pipe is at. The second method might have to be used if a whole pipe needs
to be replaced.
In some cases plumbers use epoxy coating which is applied inside the pipes.
No digging is involved. That option might be used if there are multiple
small leaks.
Don’t let a Slab Leak take over your home! Call Mark Johnson Plumbing at (318) 255-1332 right away for the best services in the Ruston area.
