When you’re a homeowner, the last thing you want to worry about is your house having a flimsy foundation. Slab leaks are a surefire way to destroy the structure of your home. If your underground pipes begin leaking, call an expert at Denny Plumbing to inspect and repair the leak before it affects the foundation.
Continue reading for more information on slab leaks!
What is a Slab Leak?
A slab is a concrete foundation that houses are built on. Water, sewage, and gas lines are constructed under the slab. If the pipes burst and start to leak, the soil absorbs the liquid and the ground becomes unstable. The slab cracks when the ground becomes wet and unsettled. If a slab leak persists, your home’s foundation will move; this may cause your home’s walls and floors to collapse.
What Causes Slab Leaks?
Acidic Water
Hard water is typically acidic, with a pH of 1 to 4, depending on your city or suburb. Thus, acidic water can cause cracks in your pipes over time. One solution to acidic water could be a water softener, which can decrease the level of calcium and magnesium in the water.
Earthquakes
Earthquakes can cause underground pipes to deteriorate and can loosen the joints between pipes. Cracks and holes can form in the pipes due to earthquake vibrations.
Old Copper Pipes
The older the home the older the pipes. With that being said, copper pipes deteriorate because of high levels of salt in the water, acidic water below a 7 pH, liquid oxygen, and alkaline water with a pH above 8.5.
High Water Pressure
High pressure can cause cracks and leaks in the pipes. Signals of high water pressure include rattling noises every time the water is on and dripping faucets. Buy a water gauge to measure how many pounds per square inch of water pass through the pipes.
On average, pounds range from 40 to 80. Water pressure that is higher than 80 or lower than 40 can damage floor pipes and cause a slab leak.
How to Detect a Slab Leak
Wet Floors
If you have wood floors, they are most at risk of becoming damaged due to slab leaks. Leaking pipes under your floor causes the liquid to rise to the floor causing discoloration and warped floors. Slab leaks can also damage your carpets with dark spots and wet carpets.
High Water Bill
Leaks cause an excessive loss of water, which in turn, increases your water bill. If the slab leak isn’t fixed by a technician at Denny Plumbing, then your bill will only get higher.
Odors
Pipe leaks beneath the floor cause carpeting to absorb moisture which makes it susceptible to mold and mildew. You will need to remove and replace the padding and carpeting to prevent the spread of mold and odors throughout your home.
Contact the Specialists
Denny Plumbing offers licensed and insured technicians. We specialize in drains, slab leak detection, water heaters, whole-house repiping, water quality, and all other home service needs. Trust us to provide top-rated service and customer satisfaction!
Call us today!
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