Slab leaks are the bane of homeowners everywhere. Severe slab leaks can cause extensive damage to your home and are frequently costly to repair if discovered late. If you want to stop slab leaks from happening, you have to learn how they happen and what you can do to avoid them. Here are some ways to avoid slab leaks and prevent them from getting worse.
Outline:
- Why You Need to Deal with Slab Leaks Quickly
- 10 Ways to Avoid Slab Leaks
- It starts with the construction
- Know the warning signs of a slab leak
- Fix small leaks immediately
- Consider getting water-resistant flooring
- Regularly inspect for molds
- Pay attention to your water bills
- Don’t disregard sudden water pressure drops
- Install a water leak detector
- Re-route your pipes
- Find a good local plumber
- Slab Leak Repair in Central Texas
Why You Need to Deal with Slab Leaks Quickly
When a slab leak happens, it can be a nightmare. The pipes are often buried underneath your floors, so you can’t just start digging around to find out what’s wrong. You’ll need to call a plumber as soon as you notice the leak, and if you don’t act fast enough, your home could be at risk of collapsing before the problem is fixed.
But even if you act right away, it might take days or weeks to get the leak fixed. During that time, you’ll have to deal with the water damage and might have to find somewhere else to stay or even leave your home for good. Slab leaks can be difficult to find and even harder to repair, which is why it’s important to take steps now to prevent them.
It starts with the construction
Slab leaks start slow and won’t be noticed until they’ve already done quite a bit of damage, and that damage can spread to the surrounding walls and furniture over time. It’s a huge job to fix and can often involve ripping up flooring, carpeting, and even cabinets if the water has had time to soak in.
But keeping an eye on the potential causes of slab leaks in the design and construction of your home can help prevent them from becoming a problem in the first place. Slab leaks are caused by pipes damaged by faulty construction or improper installation. Your home will likely suffer from slab leaks in the future if a builder doesn’t follow proper procedures or uses second-rate materials. Homes that are built with water leak prevention in mind often last for many years without any problems at all.
Know the warning signs of a slab leak
If you’re not involved in the construction of your house, the next best thing you can do is to know the signs of a slab leak. When you are familiar with the signs, it will be easier for you to take proactive steps to avoid a nightmarish crisis.
If you notice that your basement is starting to smell damp or musty, or if there are signs of mold growth on the walls and ceilings, then this could be a sign that water has been getting into your house through the foundation. It could also be an indication that something is wrong if you see patches of discoloration in certain areas of your basement flooring. Check out our blog about slab leak warning signs for more information about this.
Fix small leaks immediately
If you do find yourself with a slab leak, then it’s important to fix it as soon as possible. This is because the longer water sits idly on your basement flooring, the more damage it can do and the more expensive it will be for you to fix.
Consider getting water-resistant flooring
If your basement is prone to leaking, then you may want to consider getting water-resistant flooring. This will help keep any moisture at bay, which can help prevent small leaks from turning into something more serious.
Regularly inspect for molds
If you notice that there is mold growing in your basement, this could mean that there is water leaking. If you see any signs of mold, then it’s important to call a slab leak specialist to help verify if you have a slab leak problem.
Pay attention to your water bills
Water leaks can cause your water bills to shoot up. This is because the water will be running constantly, which can cause your water meter to read higher usage. If your water bill has been unusually high for several months, then this could be an indication that you’re dealing with a water leak.
Don’t disregard sudden water pressure drops
Similarly, a sudden drop in water pressure might be caused by a busted pipe. This may not always be the case, but if you’ve had a sudden drop for no apparent reason and then find out about a leak later on, this will raise some red flags.
Install a water leak detector
You can also install a water leak detector. These are relatively inexpensive and will alert you as soon as they detect any leaks. This is a good way to catch small issues before they turn into big problems.
Re-route your pipes
Rerouting your pipes is a drastic (and potentially very expensive) way to avoid a water leak, but it can be very effective. If there’s a chance that the pipes running under your home’s foundation could burst or break in the near future, this is an option you should seriously consider. There are many different ways to reroute your plumbing, so consult with an expert if you want to learn more about this approach.
Find a good local plumber
Plumbers are a great resource for any homeowner. They can provide advice on how to avoid water leaks and fix them if they do occur. Find a good plumber near you so that you can call on them if you ever have a leaky pipe or other plumbing problem.
Slab Leak Repair in Central Texas
Smelscer Plumbing is a locally owned and operated company providing Central Texas residents with high-quality plumbing services. Aside from detecting and repairing slab leaks, we also offer trenchless sewer repair. For more information about us or to get your free quote, call us at 254-749-7955 today.
