We Detect & Repair Slab Leaks in Austin
Slab foundations, a solid slab of concrete with plumbing located underneath, are common in homes throughout the greater Austin area. Although these foundations provide a solid base for your home or business, slab leaks can also go undetected for some time, seeping into your home to damage your walls and flooring. This is why it’s important to call a licensed plumber who specializes in leak detection as soon as you think you may have a slab leak. If you are worried you may have a slab leak, give our local office a call and one of our professional plumbers will evaluate your plumbing right away.
We Don't Break Your Foundation
97% of slab leak repairs should never involve busting your concrete foundation. Reliant’s way is the best way when it comes to slab leaks because we do not cut into the foundation of your home or business. We use Ridgid Scout Line Locators and geophones to accurately diagnose where the leak is coming and reroute the system in the attic or subfloor to minimize the amount of damage to your home or business. Geophones are basically a plumber’s version of a stethoscope.It allows us to clearly hear running water below your slab to identify a leak. Then, we use the line locators to pinpoint the exact location of the line so that we know where to make the repair. We prefer this method because it is much cheaper for a homeowner to repair drywall than flooring or foundation.
When it comes to slab leaks, it’s important to remember that the longer you let the problem persist, the more expensive the damage will be. Slab leaks are daunting, but our team will ensure that we repair the leak with as little disruption to your life as possible. We even offer 0% financing for 12 months to help lessen the unexpected financial burden on you.
Warning Signs of a Slab Leak
A Significant Increase in Your Water Bill
In many instances, our customers don’t realize they have a leak until they are shocked to find their water bill has increased by hundreds of dollars. While water consumption in your household may fluctuate from month to month, you should investigate for signs of a leak any time your bill increases unexpectedly above 15 % of your average. If you’re not seeing any signs of leak, and still have a high water bill it may still be a good idea to call us. Our licensed plumbers can inspect your lines with our top-of-the-line plumbing line locators and geophones to pinpoint the exact location of a leak. Remember, it is important to act with urgency when dealing with water leaks. Do not ignore a high water bill if you do not see a leak yourself. It could end up saving you tens of thousands of dollars if you call Reliant Plumbing right away.
Warm Spots on Your Floor
A telltale sign of slab leak is a persistent warm spot on your floor. This means a hot water line is leaking or busted. Oddly enough, your pets can actually be a great first indicator of slab leaks. We’ve seen that cats and dogs often enjoy laying on top of warm spots on the floor. Even if you aren’t finding any warm spots in your home, don’t write off a slab leak just yet. You could still have a leak in your cold water lines even though it is still 25% more likely to happen in your hot water line. A quick way to diagnose yourself, if you have a slab leak on your hot water lines would be to start at your water heater(s). Find the water heater supply line, turn it off for 5 minutes and do not use any hot water appliances in the interim. After 5 minutes, turn the water back on and if you hear a significant amount of running water then there is a good possibility you have a slab leak.
Swampy Areas in Your Yard by Your Concrete Foundation
When you’ve got a slab leak, the water has to go somewhere. If the leak is severe, water may begin to accumulate in your yard or around the edges of your home’s exterior. Any time you notice unexplained wet spots in your yard, you should call Reliant Plumbing to identify the cause. Do not confuse a swampy area caused by a water main break to a slab leak caused in your home. Often, the ground can shift where your water supply line is entering the home causing a break in the line underneath the foundation. This is a very common problem and a good indicator to tell the difference of what type of leak you have is to look for mold growing on the outside of your concrete foundation or finding visible wet spots on the soil or concrete. If you are experiencing this problem, call Reliant Plumbing to accurately detect and repair your leak today.
Damp or Musty Odors in Your Home
A more subtle sign of a slab leak is a persistent musty odor in your home that doesn’t go away even after a thorough cleaning. Water from a slab leak can seep into flooring and create a breeding ground for mold and mildew. You may not visibly see any damp spots or mold, but the odor can be an early warning sign that you should pay close attention to your plumbing. Call Reliant today and we can perform a pressure test on your domestic water lines to determine whether you are experiencing a plumbing or HVAC issue.
Sound of Running Water
In some circumstances, homeowners have actually been able to hear the water running out of the water pipes typically at the meter box or at the shower valves. However, this sound can be a symptom of many plumbing problems, so it’s best not to jump to conclusions. A quick way to determine if it is your domestic water line or irrigation system is to shut off the valve closest to the water meter box, also called a RPZ (Reduced Pressure Zone Valve Assembly). See the photo below for reference.
If you turn off the RPZ and your meter is still spinning, it is an indicator that you have a leak on your domestic water pipes. On the contrary, if your meter stops spinning then your water leak is coming from your irrigation system. Whichever side your leak is on, call Reliant Plumbing today and we will take this matter seriously.
Shifting Foundation or Ground
Major shifts in your home’s foundation can be a cause of slab leaks, but it can also happen in the reverse. Water is surprisingly powerful. As the ground beneath your home soaks up water from a slab leak, the ground expands and can cause severe damage throughout your home. If you notice new cracks in the walls or floors of your home, it can be a big red flag for a severe slab leak.
Schedule Your Service
Our plumbing experts are available to take care of your repair today. They’ll evaluate your problem, provide a solution & upfront price, and then get to work!
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