Most residences in our country are built on the slab foundation, meaning we do not have crawl spaces or basements to provide a screen between the earth and the ground floors. Our plumbing system is in direct contact with the ground floor of our home, so if the concrete base on the ground or slab leaks, water damage tends to quickly seep up inside of our houses, causing a plumbing defect and interior nightmare.
Calling for an emergency plumbing service can get expensive, and contacting contractors to repair other damages or remove molds can be a pain. But, how to detect a water leak under concrete by yourself? Here are a few ways that can help you to find out if you have a slab leak:
- You notice your water bill going up
Keep track of your water bill. A sudden rise in your house’s water usage, preventing any visitors, or alterations in routine are the indicators that tell if something is off with your house’s plumbing. If you notice a sudden surge, get your plumbing system checked; also, keep an eye for additional indicators.
- Your floor develops hot spots
Does your floor have some hotspots? One of the key indicators of a concrete leak is a focused warmth spot in a floor or a particular room that tends to be always warm or humid. Concrete leaks in a hot water line make hot water to get accumulated on the floor, and this heat transfers into the room environment and surrounding flooring.
- Water pool standing near your house foundation
Take a brief look at the outside of your house. Check from where those built-up moisture is coming from. If water is leaking under the concrete, then you will find indicative signs outside your house. To find out a slab leak, walk to the ledge of your house, carefully examining the areas for things like moss, standing water, or mud. Provided that you’re not overwatering and you don’t have an irrigation issue. But, if you still find these things, you have a high chance that you have a slab leak.
- Cracking on walls and ceilings
Look if your walls or ceilings are developing cracks. This occurs over an extended period of time as an outcome of settling. However, if you notice some new cracks appearing quite abruptly, this may indicate a problem with your plumbing system.
- Sound of dripping / running water
Notice if you listen to the sounds of constantly running water even when all of your water taps are turned off, then it is a big sign of a slab leak. You should immediately contact a plumber to fix this plumbing issue.
Conclusion
Concrete leaks come accompanied by numerous symptoms, but many of the signs can also indicate other possible issues in reality. The only credible way to diagnose a slab water leak is to call in a trusted plumber. The expert plumbers have the knowledge and proper equipment needed to diagnose such issues.
