Leaks in the water supply or drainage pipes that are found below the concrete foundation of a building are referred to as “slab leaks.”

These leaks can harm the foundation significantly and result in a variety of other issues, like mold growth and poor indoor air quality. While slab leaks can happen in any building, older homes tend to experience them more frequently.

In this article, we’ll examine the causes of slab leaks, why they mostly affect older homes, and why it’s critical to use professional slab leak repair in El Cajon.

Usually made of copper or galvanized steel, the pipes that run beneath the foundation of your home can deteriorate over time and develop tiny holes or cracks.

When this occurs, water may leak out and soak the ground beneath your home, damaging the foundation and possibly causing additional plumbing problems.

Locating slab leaks can be challenging, and if ignored, they can result in significant damage. Slab leaks can damage your home’s foundation in addition to causing mold to grow, higher water bills, and low water pressure.

Signs of a slab leak

Slab leaks are a common plumbing problem that can cause significant damage to your home if left unaddressed. The longer you wait to address a slab leak, the more damage it can cause, and the more expensive it can be to repair. Here are some signs to look out for that may indicate a slab leak:

Increased Water Bill

If you notice a sudden increase in your water bill, it may be a sign that you have a slab leak. Slab leaks can cause water to leak continuously, leading to higher water bills than usual.

Water Pressure Issues

Because the water that should be coming out of your faucets is leaking out from beneath the foundation of your home, slab leaks can result in a decrease in water pressure. An indication of a slab leak would be a sudden drop in water pressure.

Hot Spots on the Floor

Your home may have a hot water slab leak if you walk around and notice that some areas of the floor are warm. Your floor may feel warm to the touch in some places because of the hot water leak under your house.

Dampness or Moisture

Slab leaks can cause moisture to seep through the concrete foundation of your home, causing dampness or moisture in the floors or walls. If you notice any dampness or moisture in your home, it is essential to have it inspected by a professional to determine the cause.

Mold or Mildew

Unattended slab leaks can result in mold or mildew growth in your home. Mold and mildew prefer moist environments to grow, and the dampness brought on by slab leaks can be ideal for their development.

If you notice any of these signs in your home, it is vital to contact a professional plumber who specializes in slab leak detection in El Cajon.

Why Do Slab Leaks Occur in Older Homes?

Slab leaks tend to occur more frequently in older homes than in newer ones. There are several reasons for this:

Poor Water Quality

Prior to the development of contemporary water treatment and filtration systems, the plumbing system in older homes may have been installed.

Because of this, the water passing through the pipes might be contaminated with minerals and other impurities that eventually cause the pipes to corrode and deteriorate. Small leaks that eventually develop into slab leaks may result from this.

Hard water can cause slab leaks as well as water with poor quality. High concentrations of dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, are found in hard water.

These minerals may deposit on the pipe walls as the water passes through them, leading to abrasion and eventual pipe material deterioration.

Abrasion

The friction that the water flow creates against the pipe walls over time can cause abrasion and eventually cause the pipe material to degrade.

If the water passing through the pipes is particularly abrasive or acidic, this process may be sped up. Small leaks that eventually turn into slab leaks may appear as the pipes deteriorate.

Poor Construction

Older homes may have been built with inferior materials or methods, which can exacerbate plumbing problems like slab leaks. For instance, the pipes may be more prone to developing leaks over time if they were improperly installed or supported.

Galvanized steel pipes, which corrode more quickly than copper pipes, may have been used in some older homes.

Soil Shifts

The pipes that run beneath the foundation of a house may be under pressure as a result of soil shifting and settling over time.

This added pressure can cause the pipes to develop leaks or even burst if they are already frail due to poor water quality, abrasion, or poor construction.

Numerous things, such as changes in the water table, seismic activity, or simply the soil’s normal settling over time, can result in soil shifts.

What to Do When Slab Leak Occurs

When a slab leak occurs in an older home, it’s critical to act quickly to limit damage and stop additional problems from arising. The following actions are for you to take:

Turn off the Water

Turning off your home’s water supply should be your first step if you suspect a slab leak. This will lessen the chance of more water leaking out and harming the area.

Call a Professional Plumber

It’s important to call a skilled plumber who specializes in slab leak detection in El Cajon because slab leaks can be challenging to find and fix.

In order to find the leak’s origin and make the required repairs to resolve the problem, the experts will use specialized equipment for professional slab leak repairs in El Cajon.

Inspect the Damage

It’s necessary to examine the damage the leak caused after the slab leak has been fixed. This might entail inspecting your home’s walls, flooring, and furniture for signs of mold, mildew, or water damage.

To avoid additional problems from arising, it’s vital to act quickly and call experts for detection and slab leak repairs in El Cajon, CA, if you notice any damage

Prevent Future Leaks

It’s vital to maintain the integrity of your home’s plumbing system in order to avoid further slab leaks.

This might entail having a qualified plumber inspect your plumbing system on a regular basis, replacing corroded or outdated pipes, and improving the water supply to your home.

Work with a Professional Restoration Company

If the slab leak seriously harmed your house, resulting in water damage or mold growth, you might need to work with a reputable restoration business to fix the problem.

A restoration business can assist with water damage repair El Cajon in and help return your house to its previous state.

In older homes, slab leaks can be a serious problem, but by acting quickly and working with a reputable plumbing and restoration company, you can reduce the damage and avert further problems by having slab leak detection in El Cajon.

Conclusion

Slab leaks can be a major problem in older homes, but with the right help, they can be quickly and effectively fixed.

With the expertise and experience necessary to handle any plumbing issue, EZ Plumbing USA is the leading slab leak repair company in El Cajon.

If you require slab leak detection and repair services, contact us immediately. Keep from waiting until it’s too late for slab leak repairs in El Cajon.

Why Do Slab Leaks Occur Mostly In Older Homes?