How to Prevent Slab Leaks in Your Home

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The tendency among homeowners is to not worry too much about any of their plumbing systems until they notice some sort of problem. One problem you almost certainly won’t spend time thinking about until it happens is a slab leak.

A slab leak is what happens when there is a leak in one of the water lines that runs below your home’s concrete foundation. Given the nature of this kind of leak, it can be difficult to know when you have one, let alone what you can do to prevent it. There are some professionals who recommend rerouting water lines to help prevent slab leaks from occurring, but we generally say that is unnecessary unless you have already dealt with multiple leaks in the home.

Here are just a few signs you might be dealing with slab leaks, and the steps you can take for preventing slab leaks in Mesa, AZ:

  • Unusual water pressure: Have you noticed unusually high water pressure? This could be a sign of a slab leak somewhere in your property. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your home’s water pressure to make sure it doesn’t exceed the recommended pressure of 80 PSI. In fact, professional plumbers tend to recommend you stay within the 50 to 75 PSI range.
  • Old home: The age of your home can play a role in your potential risk for slab leaks, especially if you’ve experienced such leaks in the past. The older your home, the more proactive you should be about searching for potential vulnerable spots on your property. Over time, pipes heating and cooling will create friction that can wear down the copper pipes that run underneath the foundation. If you’ve already had slab leaks, you should make sure you keep an eye out for signs of additional leaks.
  • Warm or wet spots: Keep an eye out for warm spots on your tiles or hardwood floors, or wet spots on carpeting. These are signs you may be experiencing a slab leak.
  • Mold or mildew: Obviously, mold and mildew are attracted to warmth and dampness. The longer the leak goes on, the greater the potential for mold, so check for signs of mold in flooring, along baseboards and inside lower cabinets that are located on the floor.
  • Other leaks: If you’re experiencing other types of leaks in your home, such as dripping faucets or running toilets, you should take a look at your water pressure. If your water pressure seems to be unusually high, this is likely a sign of a slow leak or drip, which could be indicative of a slab leak.

If you believe you have a slab leak on your property, it’s important that you call in a plumbing specialist as soon as possible to inspect the issue and address it as needed. If you do have a slab leak, you can repair the leaking pipe, reroute the pipes or re-pipe altogether, depending on the severity.

For more information about preventing slab leaks in Mesa, AZ, contact PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air today.