How Do Plumbers Approach Slab Leak Repair?
Water damage is one of the severe issues that can erupt into major problems if not attended to on time. Apart from that, if there is water damage in your home, there is a good chance it can be caused by a slab leak.
A slab leak is a severe issue that can usually create many cases in the home apart from water damage. If you don’t attend to this problem on time, it can damage the overall structural integrity of the house. That’s why whenever you see the signs of a slab leak in your home, ensure to call a slab leak repair Carlsbad professional as soon as possible to inspect your home.
In this blog, we will discuss some of the most critical aspects of slab leaks, along with how plumbers approach slab leak repair.
What is a slab leak?
Basically, a slab leak is a type of leak in the home under the home’s foundation. The problem of a slab leak is common in homes built on concrete slabs. When there is leakage in any plumbing pipes under the house’s foundation, the water goes directly inside the slab doing significant damage.
This problem remains undetected as it cannot be seen with the naked eye. However, you will only come to know about slab leaks when you notice some of its symptoms. According to slab leak detection (Carlsbad) experts, there are many reasons for slab leaks, poor installation of pipes, bending of pipe, abrasion, shifting of soil, etc.
Signs of a slab leak
- Skyrocketing water bill
- Sound of running water
- The growth of mold and mildew
- Buckling on the floor
- Wet spots on the floor
- Warm areas on the floor
- Water stains on the walls and ceilings
How do plumbers approach slab leak repair?
As you know, a slab leak is a serious issue that needs professional repair. Here when we talk about slab leak repair, professional plumbers have several options to fix the problem. However, which is the best option to fix the slab leak issue wholly depends upon the overall condition of the pipe and the severity of the leak.
Some of the best options for slab leak repair are: –
Pass through the old line
This is one of the successful methods to fix the issue of a slab leak. The professional plumbers will pass the new water line through the old copper line in this method. Once the line is passed from one end to another, it is connected to restore the home’s water.
According to slab leakage repair (Carlsbad) professionals, the method reduces the overall diameter of the old line. However, this method cannot be successful until you pass through a new water line of adequate size that offers water to the home fixtures and faucets, complying with the latest plumbing codes.
Moreover, this method needs ample experience and knowledge of all the plumbing codes. You need to hire licensed plumbers to do the work.
Trenchless slab leak repair
This is another successful method by which the issue of a slab leak is fixed with minor demolition. The slab leak detection services ( Carlsbad) professionals will create an access hole to find the leak’s location and fix the leak. However, the best part of this method is the most non-destructive method, which is not at all costly as compared to traditional methods.
After creating an access hole, the experts will take the help of epoxy pipe liners to fix or seal the broken pipes. Moreover, they also go for a camera inspection in order to find the extent of the damage.
In addition, if it is possible to fix the problem through the trenchless slab repair method, they will first clean the pipes and then do the other process so that the solution will be long-lasting. This whole process can take a few hours.
Furthermore, if the water pipes are badly damaged, plumbers might opt for pipe splitting; they will insert new pipes bigger than before.
Tunnel under the house
This is another method to fix the slab leak issue in the home. According to a slab leak specialist (Carlsbad), it is the most invasive method and no doubt successful. In this method, the professionals will find the leak while jackhammering.
However, once the leak is located, the experts will find the nearest exterior wall, and after that, they will dig a pit of around 3′ deep. Next, they will tunnel the wall horizontally under the slab until they reach the leak’s location. This is a lot of work and requires the services of a few people. The main advantage of this method is it has the ability to replace or fix a bigger section of the damaged line.
Pipe repiping or rerouting
When the leak issue is with multiple pipes in the home, professional plumbers always go for repiping. This method includes installing new pipes while replacing old ones to make the plumbing system leak-free.
Pipe rerouting can take 1 or 2 days, depending on the amount of work needed to be done above ground for installing new pipes, which are usually routed through the walls.
By discontinuing the pipes under the slab and installing new pipes above ground, you can prevent all chances of the occurrence of slab leaks. Rerouting the pipes might involve demolition if there are pipes under the floors and inside the walls, and those pipes need to be replaced.
The entire work involves many processes from a plumbing inspection to leak detection, pipe inspection, removal of pipes, and installation of new pipes inside the walls. This method of slab leak repair is usually done over 2-3 days.
Spot repair
Spot repair is another method that plumbers opt to fix the slab leak at home. This method is best for minor leaks if the pipes are otherwise in good condition. The plumbers will replace the leaking section of the pipe or seal the leak. It is undoubtedly an easy and quick method but very inconvenient as it needs a level of demolition and repair.
You can check if your homeowner’s insurance covers this leak repair method. If yes, consult with a licensed plumber and find out if the plumbing company can directly bill your insurance provider.
How long does it take to fix the slab leak?
A minor leak can be fixed within a few hours if you have chosen the direct access method. Repiping will take longer. Trenchless repairs can take 2-4 hours, depending on various factors like the layout of your house, the time needed to inspect pipes, the entire process of pipeline coating, verification, and final checks.
The bottom line
A slab leak needs a quick fix; otherwise, it will cause water damage to walls and flooring. So, whenever you find any signs of a slab leak in your home, ensure to call slab leak repair (Carlsbad) professionals as soon as possible to fix the issue. Now here the question is, which company to trust for slab leak repair services?
So, to make your money worth the investment, Cali’s Choice Plumbing and Restoration is the one-stop solution for all your needs. Due to our best services at an affordable price, thousands of satisfied clients have made us their go-to plumbing company for all plumbing needs. We serve in San Diego County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, and Orange County. No matter what type of plumbing issue your home faces, contact us, and we will come to your place in no time. We are open 24/7 to serve you.
