Why You Need To Repair Slab Leaks Promptly And The Options A Plumber Can Consider
If your home is built on a slab rather than a basement and your carpet has a wet area or it smells musty, you might have a slab leak. Whether the leak is under a slab or under the basement, you need to have it repaired promptly, even if it is a slow leak and is not driving up your water bill. Here's why a slab leak needs quick repairs and how your plumber might stop the leak.
Why It's Important To Repair Slab Leaks
A slab leak can become a serious problem if the leak gets bigger and water gushes from the pipe. With the pipe buried under concrete, there's no way to reach it or see what's going on. You'll have to turn the water off at your water main to stop the gushing water, and if you're not home at the time, your house could sustain water damage. Even a small leak will do water damage over enough time since flooring and walls soak up water and will begin to rot.
Plus, with a water leak, your home will start to smell bad and attract bugs that like humidity. Even more serious, when the water is leaking into the soil under your house, the soil can shift and cause cracks in your foundation that might be expensive to repair.
How A Plumber Can Repair Slab Leaks
Once the leaky pipe is found and the leaky area pinpointed, the plumber can suggest the right type of repairs. Pipes can corrode from the inside or outside, and if the entire pipe has corrosion, the plumber may recommend replacing the pipe. A pipe may even need to be rerouted and that might entail opening walls and busting up the concrete to reach the pipe.
Another repair option is to just repair the damaged area if the rest of the pipe is okay. One way to make repairs is to bust up the concrete foundation to access the pipe so the damaged parts can be cut out and replaced or repaired. A better way might be to line the pipe with an epoxy coating that's suitable for use on pipes that carry drinking water.
This coating is like a liner for the pipe that is inserted and allowed to cure in place to form a new pipe. The plumber may not need to dig in your foundation at all. Instead, they may be able to dig the two access holes needed by digging in the yard next to your house.
Each repair method has its pros and cons when it comes to cost and the amount of disruption to your home. However, slab repair can't be put off too long, so your plumber can help you choose the right way to fix the problem and get your plumbing back to normal. Look online at sites like https://www.knightsplumbinganddrain.com/ to find a plumber near you.