If you’re a homeowner in Southern California, it’s important to be aware of the signs of a slab leak in case it happens to you. Many homes in Southern California are built on slabs, which are concrete foundations. Due to this, the plumbing system is often embedded within the concrete. Over time, these pipes can corrode or break, which can cause a slab leak.
Slab leak detection:
Slab leaks are often difficult to detect because they’re hidden beneath the concrete foundation of your home. However, there are some tell-tale signs that you might have a slab leak. In this article, we will explain the 5 most common warning signs of a slab leak, and what to do if you have a slab leak.
You hear water running, but all of your appliances are off.
This is the most common telltale sign of a slab leak, and it’s usually the first sign people notice. If you hear water running, but all of your appliances are turned off, it’s likely that you have a slab leak. The best thing to do in this situation is to turn off your main water supply and call a plumber right away. If you leave your water on, it could cause serious damage to your home.
You smell mold everywhere in your home.
A slab leak can often cause mold to grow in your home due to the moisture being collected in the foundation of the home and soaking up into the floorboards, walls, or support beams. If you start to notice a musty smell in your home, it’s important to investigate.
Check for mold in all of the usual places, such as under sinks, in closets, and in the bathroom. If you find mold, it’s best to call a professional to remove it. If you don’t find mold, but you still smell mold… get out and call a plumber!
Floorboards and tiles are buckling or sinking deeper.
Another common warning sign of a slab leak is if you start to notice that your floorboards or tiles are buckling or sinking. This is usually caused by the water seeping into the foundation and destabilizing it. If you see this happening, it’s important to call a plumber right away so they can assess the damage and determine if you have a slab leak.
If you catch this problem early enough, then it might be isolated to only one section of your home… but if you wait too long, it could cause serious damage to your foundation.
Your carpet is damp for no reason.
Did you spill something in the corner of the room? No? Bad news – you might have a slab leak. If your carpet is damp for no reason, it’s likely that there’s a water leak somewhere in your home. The first thing you should do in this case is be absolutely sure that this leak wasn’t caused by you or anyone else in your house. Then, try peeling back the carpet exposing the padding and floorboards underneath. If those are wet, you have a serious problem and should call a plumber right away.
Water bills have increased, but usage hasn’t changed.
If you suddenly start receiving higher water bills, but your usage hasn’t changed, it’s likely that you have a water leak somewhere in your home. The best way to find out if this is the case is to call your local water company and ask them to come and check for leaks on your property. If they don’t find anything, then it’s time to call a plumber.
These are just some of the most common signs that you might have a slab leak in your home. If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s important to call a plumber right away so they can assess the damage and determine if you have a slab leak. Slab leaks can cause serious damage to your home, and often lead to extremely expensive repairs to the home’s foundation which can run into the thousands (or tens of thousands!).
What to do if you have a slab leak:
If you have a slab leak, the best thing to do is call a professional right away. Slab leaks are serious business and should not be taken lightly. A slab leak can cause extensive damage to your home, so it’s important to have it fixed as soon as possible by a qualified professional.
