To the unsuspecting homeowner, a slab leak can be frightening. Slab leaks operate in the dark recesses of your home, unlike a leak inside your house which may be more obvious. Instead, slab leaks bide their time, slowly leaving water pooling in the foundation hoping that you won’t notice until it’s too late. At some point, you see a sudden spike in your water bills! Next, as water pushes upward, you notice sinister, winding cracks in your floorboards and walls. Your carpeted flooring is now drenched and smells of mildew. Strange sounds of running water may echo in your halls. It’s a scary place to be in, but it doesn’t have to get that far before you do something about it.
How Do Slab Leaks Form?
There are plenty of ways slab leaks can begin their dastardly schemes. Sometimes, human error is the cause. Building houses is difficult and one error in pouring a foundation can easily lead to a slab leak developing down the line. Sometimes, slab leaks form due to the environment. A small earthquake or soil erosion can put a surprising amount of pressure on pipes, which can rupture and cause water to rush out. Leaks in the home can be caused by corrosion and slab leaks are no different. Older homes with lead pipes are especially susceptible to slab leaks.
What Can You Do to Fight Back Against Slab Leaks?
Slab leaks are sneaky, but with the right tools, you can spot them before they do their damage. If you’re suspicious of a slab leak in your home, you should take the following steps. Turn off all water fixtures and appliances in your home, from your washing machine to all your sink faucets. Find your water meter, which can usually be found outside your home. If your meter is digital, see if the numbers at the bottom are increasing. If it is analog, look for a rotating red triangle. If you see either of these signs, you may have confirmed your suspicions! Now that the culprit has been spotted, a plumbing professional can get rid of it before it causes a scary amount of damage.
