Finding a slab leak can be challenging. The quickest and easiest approach to find leaks and have the issue fixed right away is to hire a professional. It is critical to select the appropriate expert for the position. To work with massive slabs of concrete, you need someone who is trained, certified, and licensed. An expert can offer you the best services to detect water leak under concrete floor.
Beware of a big increase in your water bill
Your water or sewer bill will typically be the first sign that your subterranean pipes are leaking. You can have a leaky pipe if you notice a significant price increase from one month to the next or if your bill rises each month eventhough your water usage stays the same. You should check your water meter frequently. You can understand that your toilet is running or there is a water leak by observing the speed of the water meter. If the meter is spinning after you stop using it, there is an issue.
Look for appliances with leaks
Check your appliances first, especially your toilets, as leaky toilets can contribute to water bill increases. Let some food colouring sit on the tank for 10 minutes. It will detect whether there are any toilet leaks. You have a toilet leak if the colouring spilled into the bowl. Look for standing or leaking water near any faucets or other water-using devices, as well as any connecting pipes.
Look for water puddles, soggy carpet, or distorted wood surfaces
Water accumulates beneath your concrete foundation as a result of slab leaks. If your floors are carpeted, look for spots that are darker or seem unexpectedly damp. If your flooring features wood panelling, keep an eye out for any areas where the wood begins to distort.
Look for warm areas on your floor
Look for unusually hot spots on the floor as you stroll about with your bare feet. These will stand out more on wood or tile flooring. Mark the location with masking tape if you discover one. A hot patch that persists for more than 24 hours may be caused by a burst hot water line.
Lookout for sewer leaks
Despite the fact that sewer pipes do occasionally cause slab leaks, fresh water lines are usually to fault. The foundation can strain or split when these pipes burst because water leaks to the surface. Some signs of leak are-
- twisted, bowed, or split apart walls.
- twisted or uneven floors.
- Broken windows or doors that are difficult to close or open properly.
Investigate whether your hot water heater is constantly on
A hot water leak under your concrete can occur if you keep your hot water heater on the majority of the time. Your heater is working extra hard to warm up the fresh water because hot water is leaking out all the time. In the absence of any more evidence of a slab leak, search for symptoms that the water heater is faulty, such as murky water or audible crackling coming from the tank.
After detecting a serious slab leak you must hire a professional plumber to fix your issues. Here is a step by step discussion on how to find and hire an expert plumber for your water leak repair.
1. Look up local plumbers online
In order to cure most slab leaks, concrete must be broken, therefore look for general contractors with expertise in remedial plumbing. If at all feasible, choose a plumber whose website specifically mentions slab leak detection or repair as evidence of experience. A predetermined fee based on the particular project or an hourly rate of about $65 is generally considered.
Hourly workers may be less expensive for minor repairs, but they may end up costing much more if the plumber runs into unforeseen issues. Ask your friends, relatives, and neighbours for personal references if you are having trouble finding reliable plumbers online.
2. A plumber can help you find slab leaks
Using specialised tools, advanced technologies, plumbers can determine whether you are indeed experiencing a slab leak. They will find the location of the issue. Although some plumbers may provide free detection services, others will likely charge.
3. Request a repair price estimate
Once you are certain the issue is a slab leak, ask the plumber for an estimated cost of repair. The price will mostly depend on the nature of your water leak under concrete floor. Get the quote in writing to guarantee that the cost will not alter.
4. Compared to other offers, compare the estimate
Call several plumbing firms and request repair estimates before choosing a plumber. Simply state the issue as it was explained to you as you have already had the leak checked out. After receiving many quotes, pick a plumber that seems reliable and charges a fair fee for their services.
Even if the lowest offer could be alluring, be sure it comes from a plumber with a valid operating licence and positive internet user evaluations. Therefore analyze first and then proceed.
5. Repairing your pipes will cost money
Repairing your pipes will cost money. But as soon as you detect a slab leak, be prepared to pay the repair cost. Future costs from slab leaks could be much higher. So investing a little now could be quite beneficial. In some cases homeowner’s insurance plans can be beneficial for necessary pipe repairs. Therefore don’t hesitate to hire an expert plumber to fix your issue no matter what he charges.
Conclusion
Overall, it is evident that slab leaks might result in a variety of serious problems. They might negatively affect your family’s health and perhaps even significantly damage your home. In order to prevent slab leaks in your home from becoming an issue, you must find them and fix them. Therefore, you must hire a slab leak professional to detect water leak under concrete floor. He will offer you the best repairing services at a reasonable cost.
