Slab leaks can cause thousands of dollars of damage to your home. Call Premier Service Company, Inc. for immediate repair.
Most Tuscaloosa, AL, homes sit on concrete foundations. Unfortunately, pipes under foundations can break, causing leaks. Slab leaks can cause significant damage if not looked at immediately. That’s why you need a professional from Premier Service Company, Inc. to repair the damage as soon as possible.
Our qualified team has over 27 years of experience and can handle plumbing projects of all varieties. We offer quality results, competitive rates, and prompt, friendly service. Let us be your go-to plumbing contractors.
See standing water in your basement? Call us ASAP for emergency plumbing services.
A slab or home foundation leak refers to any leak under the concrete foundation of a building. These leaks often start small and remain undetected for a long time. Since water from these leaks comes up through the foundation, they can do significant property damage and encourage the growth of mildew and mold in your home.
Slab leaks aren’t as apparent as burst pipes in the walls or ceiling, but their symptoms are very similar:
-
The sound of running water, even with the main is switched off.
-
Areas of the foundation feeling warm or cold.
-
Mildew and mold growth without an increase in overall humidity.
-
Visible signs of structural damage, such as wall cracks, especially at the wall base.
-
An increase in your water bill, even if your usage hasn’t changed.
What Causes Slab Leaks?
Slab leaks have several different causes, each of which can result in pipes leaking and water accumulating under your foundation.
These causes include:
-
Incorrectly installed piping.
-
Pressure from shifting ground (earthquakes).
-
Corrosion from soil chemicals.
-
Construction defects.
-
Damage from long-term ground vibration.
If you’re experiencing any of the above signs of a slab leak, give us a call. Our team can determine if a slab leak is to blame and if it isn’t, find the actual underlying cause and resolve it—you can count on us!
Think it might be time to update your home’s plumbing? Check out our full line of residential plumbing services.
How Are Slab Leaks Fixed?
Slab leaks are some of the hardest leaks to detect and repair, due to their position under the home foundation. The first step in foundation leak detection is to use modern techniques, such as infrared and video camera inspections to find the leak. Slab leak detection can take a while, especially if the leak itself is minimal.
Once our team locates the leak, there are two options for repair. The first is to fix the area around the leak but leave the rest of the pipes intact. This method is cheaper, less labor-intensive, and a good option if the pipes are still new.
One of the most common ways to fix a leaky pipe is to apply an epoxy pipe covering that acts as a barrier between the pipe and the water. Plumbers use this method when there are many small leaks in an area.
The second method of slab repair is significantly more expensive and invasive and involves replacing the plumbing in your foundation. This method involves digging up the pipes and replacing them, which is labor-intensive and costly. However, if the pipes are old and crumbling, it’s usually the best option to prevent leaks in the future.
