Slab leaks can be severe because they can often cause a lot of damage before they’re detected. If you don’t catch them quickly, they can create serious problems for your home, from the sheetrock and flooring to wood rot and other issues. Fortunately, you can learn about the signs of a slab leak so you know what to look for. Then, you can get a professional to locate the source of the leak and correct it before it worsens.
Increased Usage and Water Bills
If your water usage has increased significantly or your water bills are higher than expected, you might have a slab leak. A one-time increase in use or the bill could be from many different things. If it’s consistent, it’s time to find out why.
There are many reasons for increased usage and cost, and a leak in a pipe in or under the slab can be one of the most serious. Don’t take it lightly if you see rising water usage, since fixing the leak quickly will prevent additional damage.
Cracks in the Foundation
Foundation cracks can come from many different things, one of which is a slab leak. Over time, the water soaking into the concrete can reduce its strength and press against it, leading to cracks from damage and pressure. If you’re finding that your foundation is cracking, mainly if it’s concentrated in one area, you may want a plumber to check to see if there’s a slab leak in or under that space.
Wet or Damaged (Buckling) Flooring
Wet flooring, or rippling or buckling flooring, can be a big sign of a slab leak. If your carpet is wet in a random location or your laminate floor has a bump in it, finding out why is essential. A slab leak can push water upward that will eventually get to your flooring and start to cause damage.
You don’t want to ignore this issue, even if it seems to dry out at times. It won’t go away on its own, and repair will be required.
Standing Water Around Your Home
Another reason to contact professionals who handle slab leak repair services is standing water near your home. If you notice puddles on one side of your yard beside your house, or you find that an area of grass or gravel is consistently wet when everywhere else is dry, that’s a big indication of water leaking underneath your home. It’s only a matter of time before it does significant damage, so you want to catch and correct it as quickly as possible. You can also listen carefully in and around your home for any dripping or running water sounds.
Mold, Mildew & Bad Smells
If your house smells musty no matter how much you clean it, you may have mold or mildew growing under the flooring or in one of the walls from a slab leak. Water that’s looking for somewhere to go will choose the easiest exit point, and that could be through a subfloor or other convenient location. If the water isn’t making it into your home where you notice that the floor is wet, a musty smell might be the first indication that there’s a problem.
A Professional Is the Right Choice
Working with a professional who handles slab leak repair is the right choice when you need to get the problem diagnosed and corrected. Don’t ignore a potential slab leak because it can do a lot of damage very quickly.
If you’re not sure it’s best to have an inspection done, as it’s much nicer to find out you were wrong about there being a problem instead of having the issue get more serious. When you contact a plumber and have them check out the potential for a slab leak you can have more peace of mind.
