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A slab leak is something that all homeowners dread for a number of reasons. This sort of leak is one that occurs underneath the concrete slab that forms the foundation of your home. It is just a typical water leak, but it is buried under the concrete and dirt. This means that it can be hard to detect, hard to fix, and that it can go on for a long time before you realize what is happening. If you have detected one, it can even be hard to figure out what you should do to take care of the problem. You may be surprised, however, to find out that you can often do slab leak repair on your own to make sure that your home is in the best possible shape.
The first thing that you will need to do is to make sure that you know where the leak is at. This is usually not very difficult since the water will be coming up through the flooring so that you can both feel and see it at once. When you have found the right place, peel the flooring back so that the concrete is exposed. If you have carpet or laminate flooring, this might mean that you have to cut a hole in the material. Wood can often be taken up board by board so that it can easily be put back down later.
With the flooring removed, drill a hole down through the concrete using a drill bit that is specifically designed for the job. The slab of concrete will be, traditionally speaking, about four inches thick. This does vary a bit from home to home, but you should be ready for it. Drilling all the way through could take some time, so do not give up. You will get through eventually if you have a bit that is well-suited to the task.
When the hole is big enough, you will need to patch the leak in the pipe or insert a new piece of pipe. This can be hard to do since you are working through such a tight window, but you can do it. When you have the leak fixed, you will need to buy more concrete and fill the hole back in. Allow the concrete to dry and then put your flooring back down. Do not do this until you are completely sure that the leak is fixed.
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To repair water leak under the slab should they dig under the slab or find alternate route through walls to get to the main?
assuming that it is a waterline leak, i would suggest the alternate route for simplicity sake.
Should you pay for slab insurance when the insurance company say they will not pay a claim if the slab cracked and caused a leak?
If you have a history of slab leaks, slab insurance may be the way to go. If your leaks are caused by earthquakes, then you may want to have the insurance, but it is not the most common, overall, for a slab leak to be caused by shifting/cracked slab. Your decision should be based on whether you think there is a good chance that a slab leak will happen again.
Why is water coming out from under the slab foundation?
you may have a septic system leak or a water main leak
How do you detect if it is a slab leak?
First, you need to determine if you have a leak anywhere in your home. Check to make sure that your faucets, toilets, showers, hoses, ice-makers etc are not using water. Once you have determined that nothing visible is leaking, look at the water meter. The leak Indicator is a small triangle or star on the face of the meter, and if it is moving, even slowly, you have a leak somewhere. If you turn of the shut-off valve (often near the ground in a closet or near the hot water heater) to close it, and the leak indicator stops, then the leak is on a supply line to a fixture in your home. The shut-off valve often appears to go nowhere. It comes out of the wall, an perhaps splits off prior to going straight back into the wall or slab floor. If the leak indicator does not stop when you close the shut-off valve, the leak is on the service line into your home, and may or may not be under your slab, but is definitely under the ground. Movement on the leak indicator usually means a good deal of water is leaking, and you should see water coming from a wall or perhaps out of the floor. If you have no visible water, and constant movement on the indicator, a slab leak is a good bet. A leak detection company can help you find it, and get it repaired. More information us available at our blog for slab leak detection. It has more information on how to find slab leaks, what are slab leaks, and how to pay for slab leaks.
How can I detect and repair a leaking basement?
I think I have a water leak in my basement. What are some ways to detect and repair the leak?
If I have a water leak underneath the slab of my bathroom will the slab need to be broken in order to repair it?
I think I have a water leak in my bathroom under the slab. Will a plumber have to break my slab to fix it?
Can mud injection equipment be used to repair a leak in a slab on grade foundation?
Yes, mud injection can be used to repair a leak in a slab of foundation. Often it is the cheapest fix available.
To repair water leak under the slab should they dig under the slab or find alternate route through walls to get to the main?
assuming that it is a waterline leak, i would suggest the alternate route for simplicity sake.
Does epoxy pipe lining prevent slab leaks?
I have a slab leak and I'm not sure how to repair it myself. I have read about epoxy pipe lining - is this good for preventing leaks in the future?
What is a Average price of a slab leak repair?
Slab leaks can vary wildly in cost, from less than a thousand to more than two thousand depending on your specific circumstances, where the leak is located under the slab, what it will take to access the leak, and where you live in the country.
What exactly is a slab leak and is it the same as a belly in the sewer line?
A leak in the slab is an under ground stream or broken line under the slab. It is NOT the same as a belly in a sewer line.
Should you pay for slab insurance when the insurance company say they will not pay a claim if the slab cracked and caused a leak?
If you have a history of slab leaks, slab insurance may be the way to go. If your leaks are caused by earthquakes, then you may want to have the insurance, but it is not the most common, overall, for a slab leak to be caused by shifting/cracked slab. Your decision should be based on whether you think there is a good chance that a slab leak will happen again.
How does a slab leak and damage usually get covered by the ins co?
The short answer is maybe. If they do cover it, there will be some qualifications, and only a claims adjuster for your company can tell you for sure. Your leak will need to be inside the walls of your foundation. You don't have yard insurance, you have home insurance so a leak on your service line outside of the foundation will not be covered. Sorry, but on the bright side, if that is your leak problem, it is likely the least expensive kind of hidden underground leak to repair. If the leak is on the pressure side of your plumbing and the water under the house comes up through the slab and causes damage to your home or belongings, some portion of the work is very likely to be covered. If you do not have damage to the above slab portions of your home, and the leak is inside the walls of the foundation, you may still be in luck. When you call your adjuster, they may say that they will pay to find the leak, but not to repair the leak. Have no fear! This means that the company will likely pay for the leak detection, pay to remove the slab, and whatever fill stands in the way of repairing the pipe. The company will likely not pay for the actual cutting of the pipe, the pipe and fittings to repair the leak, and the labor to repair the pipe. Then they are likely to cover the cost of fixing your home back to the original shape it was in before the work was started. Only a claims adjuster can tell you for sure, and some companies may not cover any of this at all. If you have had a slab leak problem, please write and let us know how your experience was. Who is your insurance company, and was your leak a covered claim?
Why am I going through 1-2 gallon of antifreeze a week?
You have a leak. You need to find and repair the leak.You have a leak. You need to find and repair the leak.
Is the contractor or builder responsible for pipe leak in slab?
The builder.
Why is water coming out from under the slab foundation?
you may have a septic system leak or a water main leak
What are symptoms of a slab leak?
A high water bill or wet spots in the yard are often the first indications of a slab leak. You could even come home one day and find water coming up from under the slab floor of your home. This is clearly the most obvious symptom of a slab leak. Once you think you have a leak, you need to determine if you have a leak anywhere in your home this will not be as severe as a slab leak. Check to make sure that your faucets, toilets, showers, hoses, ice-makers etc are not using water. Once you have determined that nothing visible is leaking, look at the water meter. The leak Indicator is a small triangle or star on the face of the meter, and if it is moving, even slowly, you have a leak somewhere. If you turn of the shut-off valve (often near the ground in a closet or near the hot water heater) to close it, and the leak indicator stops, then the leak is on a supply line to a fixture in your home. The shut-off valve often appears to go nowhere. It comes out of the wall, an perhaps splits off prior to going straight back into the wall or slab floor. If the leak indicator does not stop when you close the shut-off valve, the leak is on the service line into your home, and may or may not be under your slab, but is definitely under the ground. Movement on the leak indicator usually means a good deal of water is leaking, and you should see water coming from a wall or perhaps out of the floor. If you have no visible water, and constant movement on the indicator, a slab leak is a good bet. A leak detection company can help you find it, and get it repaired. More information us available at our blog for slab leak detection. It has more information on how to find slab leaks, what are slab leaks, and how to pay for slab leaks.
