Signs You May Need Under Slab Plumbing Repair
Unexplained increases in water bills, wet floors, cracks in your walls or foundation, and musty smells are all signs of an under slab plumbing issue needing repair. If left unaddressed, these issues can lead to severe structural damage to your home’s foundation, compromising your home’s integrity and costing you tens of thousands of dollars in repairs.
Under slab plumbing repair is required when the water pipes, drain pipes, and public sewer or septic lines running beneath your home’s foundation develop a leak. A leak anywhere within this critical plumbing infrastructure can cause soil erosion, foundation damage, and mold growth.
Let’s examine the common signs of an under slab plumbing issue, the leading causes, and why immediate action is necessary to prevent long-term damage. Taking immediate action can be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major dilemma.
Common Signs You Have an Under Slab Plumbing Issue
Unlike plumbing problems in the bathroom or kitchen, issues requiring under slab plumbing repair are hidden and only noticeable through symptoms.
If you notice any of the following signs, you should conduct a simple water meter test and call a residential plumbing professional to diagnose the issue and provide repair options.
- Increased water bills: High-than-usual water bills without increased usage or visible leaks.
- Wet spots or damp floors: A possible leak affecting the slab temperature, causing condensation.
- Cracks in walls or foundation: A potential leak weakening the foundation.
- Mold or musty smells: Hidden moisture causing mold growth.
- Low water pressure: A potential leak reducing water flow.
- Pooling water around the home exterior: Potential underground leaks bubbling up in the landscaping.
- Sounds of running water: The constant sound of running water indicates a leak somewhere in the home.
Again, one or more of these symptoms could indicate that you need an under slab plumbing repair specialist to visit your home as soon as possible.
What Causes Under Slab Plumbing Leaks?
Under slab plumbing leaks don’t happen overnight. These issues typically occur over time, and the older your home is, the more likely you are to experience a problem. Here are some of the root causes of under slab plumbing leaks.
- Shifting soil/foundation movement: Soil and weather conditions can cause pipe movement.
- Pipe corrosion: Older homes may have deteriorated copper or galvanized pipes.
- Excessive water pressure: High water pressure can cause weak points in the piping.
- Tree roots: Roots can grow into pipes over time.
- Poor installation: Improper installation and shotty construction can lead to leaks.
- Low-quality materials: Poor materials corrode faster.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Under Slab Plumbing Issues
You should never ignore under-slab plumbing issues. Fixing the problem immediately is far less expensive than the cost of replacing the entire foundation or making extensive foundation repairs.
Aside from increased repair costs, significant issues can result from ignoring your under slab plumbing problems. Here are a few examples:
- Major foundation damage: Extensive foundation damage is not only expensive, but it also compromises the integrity of your home and puts your family’s safety at risk. Structural instability, tripping hazards from uneven floors, and difficulty exiting the house due to sticking doors and windows are all potential safety hazards that could lead to serious injury and the inability to escape the home during a fire emergency.
- Mold and indoor air quality issues: Mold is known to cause respiratory problems such as coughing, wheezing, lung and sinus congestion, and irritation issues such as skin rashes, headaches, itchy eyes, asthma exacerbations, and lung infections. If you have young children or older loved ones living with you and your home has mold, they are particularly at risk for severe reactions and lung infections that can lead to further health complications.
- Excessive water bills: Water bills are already high, so why pay more than you have to with a leak constantly wasting water and costing you money? A leak in your water supply line can significantly increase your water bill by hundreds of dollars per month, depending on the size of your leak.
- Environmental impact: A leaking water supply line can waste enormous amounts of treated water, strain local water resources, and increase energy consumption in treating and transporting water. A leaking drain or sewage pipe can contaminate soil and groundwater with bacteria, viruses, and other pollutants, harming plants, wildlife, and the local water supply.
What to Do If You Suspect an Under Slab Leak
If you are experiencing increased water bills, wet floors, or musty smells, you may have an issue requiring an under slab plumbing repair professional. Before making the call, you can conduct a simple water meter test to verify a leak.
If you suspect an under slab leak, take the following steps to get it resolved as soon as possible.
- Conduct a water meter test: A water meter test can help you check for leaks in your water system by observing your water meter and noting any registered water usage when all faucets and appliances are turned off.
- Here is how to perform a simple water meter test:
- Turn off all appliances that use water and shut all the faucets inside and outside your home.
- Write down the current reading on your water meter.
- Wait a couple of hours and recheck the meter reading. If it has changed, you may have a leak.
- Call a professional plumber: If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed previously or notice a change in your water meter during the test, call a professional plumber immediately to schedule an appointment.
- Discuss repair options: If a leak is discovered, discuss your options with your plumber to determine the best way to minimize damage and ensure the issue is resolved promptly.
Why Choose Houston Plumbing Expert?
A needed under slab plumbing repair requires expedience. Delay can further exacerbate the issue, causing severe damage to your foundation and allowing harmful mold to grow. Both can lead to more expensive repairs while putting your family at risk.
When it comes to under slab plumbing repair, Houston Plumbing Expert understands how critical it is to resolve the issue immediately. Call us today to have one of our certified plumbing professionals arrive at your door without delay.
