Under Slab Leak

We can’t live without water, but finding water where you don’t want it can signal the beginning of expensive trouble for a homeowner. This guide will help you figure out what to do about under-slab leaks on your property and how to get the right kind of help when you need it.

When we think of water, we naturally think of pipes, so your first impulse might be to call a plumber. They know their way around pipes for sure, but most plumbers don’t work with slabs for a living. A general plumber will often overcharge you for diagnosis and repair because they don’t have the right equipment or expertise to deal with the structural part of the problem.

Concrete experts who are qualified to perform complex slab and foundation repairs can efficiently tunnel beneath a structure and get to the source of the trouble with minimal disruption to your property. It’s the right place to start if you see warning signs of an under-slab water leak.

What causes under-slab leaks?

Homes are built to last, and we tend to think of them as immovable objects. In fact, houses and the earth beneath them are constantly moving, expanding and contracting with the seasons and all sorts of other natural forces. Over time, this repetitive motion can put a strain on vulnerable materials, especially pipes that pass under or through shifting concrete.

Here are 7 common factors that could lead to under-slab leaks:

Older copper or galvanized metal pipes can be more vulnerable to the kind of deterioration that causes under-slab leaks. For this reason, some homeowners replace them with modern cross-linked polyethylene piping as a long-term preventive measure, but complete replacement can be an expensive undertaking.

What are the top warning signs of an under-slab leak?

Moisture at the slab is often the first visible sign of a leak that has been running underneath for months.

In some cases, the damage from an under-slab water leak may only be cosmetic (especially if you catch it early) and may be fairly inexpensive to repair. By their very nature, other kinds of under-slab leaks can remain hidden for a long time and may cause serious structural damage.

Fortunately, if you inspect your home on a regular basis (including spaces you rarely visit during everyday living), many signs of under-slab leaks are relatively easy to spot. Here are 8 of the most common ones:

If you notice any of these things, it’s important to get a professional inspection as soon as possible. Foundation damage can spread quickly when structural components (or the soil holding them up) become compromised by accumulating water.

How does the under-slab leak repair process work?

Foundation repair specialists who are experienced with concrete slabs know how to search for and isolate the source of hidden water leaks. They use a combination of specialized visual and electronic techniques (such as remote cameras or listening devices), plus evaluation of the external traces that water leaks leave behind, based on extensive professional training.

Once the source of the leak has been confirmed, a reputable repair technician will discuss your options with you and expose the leaky section of pipe using the least invasive method possible. Depending on the leak, that usually means one of three approaches:

These are complex repairs, especially if the leaky pipe is part of your home’s sewage system. In that case there are specialized sanitation and health measures to deal with in addition to ordinary water damage. It may be tempting to start ripping up flooring or carpeting, but having the right professional help from the beginning is very important and will likely be more affordable than you think.

Good times to perform slab leak detection

What is a sewer clean out?

A sewer clean out is a plumbing pipe, typically sticking out of the ground, that has a removable plug and is found in the main sewer line. This pipe allows plumbers to clear out a blockage that may accumulate in the system and can also be used as an entry point during the slab leak detection phase.

What to expect from a foundation and slab repair professional

Water leaks of any kind can be a huge worry for a property owner. When they’re happening inside or underneath the concrete in your home, you have to think about more than just the pipes. In situations like these you need a qualified foundation repair specialist on your side who can give you the straight story on the structural implications and the repair options that are best for your situation.

Reputable foundation and slab repair professionals will perform a complete inspection, often at low or no cost to you. They’ll follow up with an honest evaluation of your situation and a transparent explanation of your repair options and what they will cost. Talk with more than one company, check their reviews and reputation and ask for references.

Once you’ve chosen the repair partner you want to work with, you deserve the assurance that they will treat you and your home with respect. The right company will contain the repair area as much as possible and put preventive measures in place to protect the rest of the house, your belongings and, most importantly, your family until everything is back in order.

Choose a repair specialist that puts your needs first

Your home is one of the biggest lifetime investments you will ever make. We are here to help you protect it.

The reason Olshan exists is to bring value and confidence to property owners like you, no matter what your immediate repair situation might be. Our trained technicians and licensed plumbers know how to diagnose and repair under-slab water leaks and will help you find the solution that’s best for you and for your budget.

Thousands of property owners in over a dozen states have trusted us to restore and repair foundations, slabs, basements, crawl spaces and more since 1933. The secret is simple. Integrity is a pillar of our business and we treat your family as we would treat our own.

Olshan is one of the most experienced and respected contractors in the foundation repair and waterproofing industry. We’re also one of the largest. That means we’re big enough to bring you all the right resources, but small enough to stay responsive to your needs as a customer.