(MENAFNEditorial)
A slab leak is caused by a number of different sources such as a broken or leaky sewer pipe a broken storm pipe a leaking water or drainage pipe a disconnected rain water leader groundwater and elevated water tables.
Every house is built on a foundation and with age comes the dreaded foundation crack and slab leak. Graham Maintenance Plumbing Corp. offers a high quality slab leak repair service that is built upon many years of experience in the plumbing industry.
Drain Leaks vs. Water Pipe Leaks
Storm or sewage pipes are often located beneath a concrete slab and can fail due to improper bedding or support or long term corrosion. Typically the discharge will drain away through the granular fill that forms the base of the slab but over time the discharge can build up and with pressure it can find ways through the slab. When this happens you will need to hire a professional plumbing service to perform a slab leak repair.
Improperly installed storm sewers can inject large amounts of water in a short period of time faster than the water can drain away. This causes pressure to build up and forces water up through the slab which can lead to extensive damage if ignored for too long. Generally it is not good practice for water supply pipes to be located beneath the slab. Over time they can fail leading the pressure to erode the sub base and can lead to slab failure or even worse a sinkhole. A simple slab leak repair may be expensive upfront but it will save you a lot of money and will prevent your house from suffering irreparable damages.
Ground water is normally drained away by weeping tiles. Should the weeping tile system get plugged or fail the water will build up around the basement and as the pressure builds up the water is forced up through the slab. When houses are built on clay the excavation for the basement forms a clay bathtub that will retain water around the basement unless it is drained away with an adequate weeping system. In these situations the walls should be waterproofed and a dam installed between the walls and the slab on grade to prevent leaks at this junction.
A slab leak can be caused by a leaky water or sewage pipe that has been run under the slab of your house. However if your house has a basement it's rare for a pressurized line to be run below the slab. Still it could happen and a slab leak repair is something that you will need to consider eventually. The problem with a drainage leak is that it so much harder to detect. Since the pipe isn't pressurized the leak takes longer to wash away dirt and sand that is trapped under the slab. The leak may go undetected until it is too late.
Common Signs That Your Slab Is Leaking
Typical signs of leakage include your floor cracking and leaking water as the water tries to find the path of least resistance. This will take far longer to happen with a leaky drain because the water leaking out isn't pressurized. If you have a drain leak your water bill and meter won't indicate that there is a potential problem. This is one of the most dangerous types of slab leak as it is difficult to detect until it's too late. Once detected a slab leak repair will be essential.
Other typical signs that your slab is leaking include warmer tiles suggesting that water is building up underneath an increase in your gas or water bill the unusual sound of running water or if your water heater is constantly running (hot water leaks only).
If you suspect a leak turn off your water and check your water meter. If your water meter dial still spins you probably have a slab leak. Next turn off the hot water. If the dial stops spinning then it's the hot water pipe that's leaking. If you detect that you have a slab leak call a professional plumber for an inspection they will be able to tell you whether or not you need a slab leak repair.
Understand Your Options
When it comes to slab leak repair a ton of factors come into play such as where the leak is located how the rest of your house's plumbing is setup and whether or not the concrete above the leak is cracked. There are three options recognized by insurance companies. It's important that you not only pick the one that's best for you but one that your insurance is willing to cover.
Graham Maintenance Plumbing Corp. offers a detailed slab leak repair service to clients located in Long Beach California. If you are in need of a slab leak repair service please feel free to contact us today through our website. We would be more than happy to offer you a comprehensive quote on a slab leak repair or to investigate any potential water leaks that your house may have.
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