Handling Slab Leaks in Your Home
Slab leaks are caused by leaky pipes buried in the concrete slab of your home. While the problem may feel catastrophic, a seasoned professional can asses and repair a leak in your foundation with precision in just a few days.
What Causes Slab Leaks?
The most common cause of slab leaks is the interaction between your copper piping and the water running through it. Your water chemistry plays a role in the longevity of your copper water lines. Low PH, high alkalinity, and the presence of sulfates or nitrates may deteriorate your pipes over time.
At one time, slab leaks were thought to be brought on by bad installation practices, contact with concrete, non-reamed piping, or excess solder flux. Now we know that up to 95% of the time they are caused by the water in your home.
How Do I Know If I Have a Slab Leak?
Symptoms of a slab leak may include things like the sound of water running when nothing is turned on, cracks in your slab, or mold and mildew under your carpet. Your water bill may also sharply increase, although this might be caused by a leaky toilet, or a leak elsewhere in your system.
Finding a slab leak in your home requires exacting technical skill. Allowing a company to excavate your concrete in search of a leak wastes time, and will just leave you with a huge bill.
A trained professional will use the proper equipment to non-invasively locate your leak. Pipe locators and specialized listening equipment will help a trained professional locate the leak without needlessly destroying your property.
How Long Does a Repair Take?
A typical repair will take about two days to complete. The first day will be spent assessing the leak and formulating a plan of attack. The second day will be when the actual repair takes place.
Although most repairs take just two days, some jobs may take longer. A bypass may be installed to ensure full use of water during longer projects.
Don’t let a Slab Leak take over your home! Call Heidler Inc. at (410) 268-7191 right away for the best services in the Annapolis area.
