Slab Leak Detection and Repair Services
Our Slab Water Leak Detection Process
When you call Serclean for foundation leak detection, our plumbing professionals will go through a detailed process to uncover any underlying problems with your piping. You can expect our team to deploy the following steps during all slab leak detection services.
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Initial Inspection
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Pressure Test
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Acoustic Survey
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Pipeline Locator
Every slab leak detection appointment begins with a visual inspection. In severe cases, the damage may be visible, and plumbers will confirm that you have a leaking pipe below your concrete foundation. However, minor leaks usually require further testing to find the source of the leak, if any.
When performing an inspection, our plumbers look for the following indicators of a leak:
- Moisture along your flooring, including damp carpets or puddles near lower cabinets and baseboards
- Cracks or buckling floors
- Cracks and damage to walls
- Areas of the floor that feel warmer than others
These problems are telltale signs of a leak, but we also use your property’s water meter to confirm plumbing leaks. Checking the meter’s reading and then leaving all plumbing fixtures off for 30 to 60 minutes will give you a definite answer. If the reading increases in that time, you’re dealing with a pipe leak somewhere in your system.
A key component of slab leak detection, repair, and replacement services is conducting what’s called a pressure test. This involves checking water pressure levels throughout every area of piping and tracking any abnormalities. Our contractors will isolate different pipes, alter the pressure to them, and look for any pressure drops, which indicate water leaking outside the pipe.
The next step in the concrete slab leak detection process involves using cutting-edge amplification equipment. Our plumbers will set up these devices near faucets and let them identify sensitive sounds from within pressurized pipes. You might be able to hear water trickling from a large crack in pipes, but minor leaks produce sounds that human ears can’t easily hear.
Once our experts confirm a leak within your system using the steps above, we’ll deploy electromagnetic pipeline locators to pinpoint the exact location where you need plumbing repairs. This allows us to create a repair plan and quickly minimize the threat of water damage.
Slab Leak Repair Process
Our licensed plumbers can take a few different approaches to slab leak detection, repair, and replacement services, depending on the scope of the project. What exactly can you expect when you contact Serclean to repair your leaky pipes? Below is a breakdown of the common repair methods we use when tackling slab leaks of all sizes.
Applying an Epoxy Coating Inside Pipes
- Patching up multiple small leaks along pipes
- Easy application process with only two access points necessary
- Fast curing times so the leaks stop and the pipes work without issue
Opting for an epoxy coating makes for an efficient and cost-effective way to repair your pipes, though it might not be the ideal solution for every property owner. In that case, we’ll consider other repair processes.
Spot Repairing Pipes
If our pipeline locator technology indicates only one area leaking, we can spot-treat it by removing the damaged portion of the pipe and replacing it with new material. Keep in mind that this doesn’t eliminate the risk of future leaks elsewhere in the pipes. We typically recommend this service if you have a relatively new plumbing system in your home that doesn’t require extensive leak detection, repair, and replacement services.
Whole-House Repiping
Deteriorating pipes often cause foundation leaks along with the following plumbing problems:
- Low water pressure
- Water discoloration
- Foul-smelling water supply
Older homes are more likely to require a repiping service to repair the slab leak. When our Serclean plumbers recommend this type of repair, we’ll replace all of the pipes throughout your home, not just the ones leaking. Undergoing this service takes more time than spot repairs or curing an epoxy coating, but it delivers long-lasting results and peace of mind.
Let our contractors know if you experience frequent plumbing leaks in addition to your current slab leak. We’ll repipe your household and equip you with durable new pipes that resist corrosion.
Breaking the Slab
At Serclean, we take pride in offering minimally invasive slab leak detection, repair, and replacement services. That’s why we often use breaking the slab as a last-resort repair method. When plumbers break the slab to repair foundation leaks, they take a noisy jackhammer to destroy your concrete flooring and access the leak.
After removing the flooring, experts will replace your pipes to prevent future plumbing issues. The final step is to repair damage to the flooring and lay down a new concrete slab over the pipes.
Signs of a Slab Leak: Foundation Leak Detection Tips
Keep an eye out for common signs of a foundation leak and don’t hesitate to call Serclean for professional slab leak detection, repair, and water damage cleanup services. We’ll use state-of-the-art technology to confirm the leak and work quickly to repair your pipes. You don’t have to worry about sustaining serious water and structural damage with our team on the job.
How can you tell when it’s time to call local foundation leak repair companies for service? If you have a foundation slab leak affecting your home’s structure, you’ll likely experience the following issues:
Higher water bills
Most people go through 80 to 100 gallons of water per day, but hidden plumbing leaks can cause water consumption to soar and lead to drastic increases in water bills.
Poor water pressure
Water leaking out of your pipes can cause the pressure to drop and make it difficult for you to do everything from showering to washing dishes.
Damp or moldy floors
An obvious sign of a slab leak is visible water damage to your flooring. You might feel damp patches or find mold spores growing on the floor.
Buckling floors
Solid floors may crack or buckle because of water building up beneath them. Contact Serclean for immediate slab leak detection, repair, and water cleanup services upon noticing structural damage to your floors.
Water noises
If you listen carefully, you might hear water trickling or dripping around your floors or walls, indicating a leak.
Lack of hot water
Depending on the location of your slab leak, your home could be struggling to send hot water to different plumbing fixtures. You may even notice warm patches around your floors due to a leak within your hot water supply line.
Water heater overuse
Finding a leak within your hot water line not only means that you’ll face a lack of hot water, but your water heater also must work harder to replenish your supply.
Why Slab Leaks Are Dangerous
Any plumbing leak comes with risks, but slab leaks can be especially dangerous because they stay hidden for so long. You might not even notice that you have a leak until it becomes apparent with serious water damage throughout your property. Serclean proudly repairs foundation leaks so you can have peace of mind.
Ignoring the leak causes a wide range of problems that affect your home’s structural integrity, your health, and your wallet. Here’s why it’s essential to schedule immediate slab leak detection, repair, and water cleanup services with Serclean.
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Foundation Issues
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Damaged Flooring and Furniture
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Mold and Mildew Growth
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Costly Aftermath
Letting water continue to escape from your hidden pipes can cause it to seep into the concrete foundation supporting your home. The foundation may crack or crumble and jeopardize your home’s structural integrity. Repairing extensive foundational damage won’t be easy or affordable, so it’s best to never let the damage go unnoticed for too long.
Large leaks beneath your floors can cause widespread damage not only to the surface but also to your personal belongings above the floor. You’ll likely have to replace carpet that becomes damp or sprouts mold and install new hardwood flooring if yours starts to buckle. Many homeowners also deal with furniture damage if they fail to notice the slab leak early.
Mold growth remains one of the biggest dangers of slab leaks. Mold and mildew thrive in damp environments, such as the space beneath flooring, due to a slab leak. Once these contaminants start to grow, they’ll spread and bring serious health concerns, including:
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Difficulty breathing
Mold growth proves especially harmful for those with respiratory conditions like asthma as it can exacerbate symptoms.
Dealing with a slab leak can hit your finances hard. Not only will you have to cover the costs of repairs, which may include an extensive repiping service, but you’ll also have to take care of other damage caused by the leak. Some of the biggest non-plumbing expenses associated with pipe leaks include:
- Mold remediation services
- Replacing furniture or personal belongings
- Structural repairs to your foundation
Err on the side of caution and you’ll save money in the end. Reach out to Serclean for superior slab leak detection, repair, and replacement services.
Don't Ignore Plumbing or Foundation Leaks
There’s no denying that slab leaks can cause extensive damage throughout your home. You must be on high alert for common signs of a leak and know the areas most prone to water damage. Some of the most common areas for plumbing leaks include:
Beneath Floors or Walls
The pipes underneath your concrete slab could crack and cause water to seep into your floors or lower edges of your walls.
Exterior Water Lines
Your home relies on exterior water lines that run throughout your yard or driveway. Look for soft, sunken patches of grass or puddles in your yard to locate underground plumbing leaks.
Basements
Many foundation leaks manifest as basement flooding since it's the closest space above the concrete slab.
Crawl Spaces
If you don't have a basement, you might find moisture from slab leaks beginning to overtake tight crawl spaces.
Other Plumbing Systems
Foundation leaks typically stem from main water pipes beneath your home's concrete slab. However, other plumbing systems can cause this issue, such as radiant floor heating.
What To Do If You Have a Slab Leak
Don’t panic if you suspect a slab leak in your home. You can quickly get the problem under control by calling one of our professionals specializing in slab leak detection and repairs. Scheduling an inspection should become your top priority so our plumbers can locate the source of the leak and assess the extent of damage.
Our plumbing experts at Serclean are always available for emergency repairs. We rely on high-quality tools and equipment to locate leaks and repair them with minimal damage to your property. In addition, our contractors offer water damage repair and restoration services so you can fully recover from devastating leaks.
For top-notch slab leak detection, repair, and replacement services, you can’t go wrong with Serclean on your side. Contact us today to request immediate service in regions of Florida, Georgia, and Colorado. Call a Serclean location near you or submit our online request form to receive an estimate.