Slab and pipe leaks
Slab Leak and Pipe Repair Near Lake Houston, TX
Water going somewhere it should not, under a house with no basement. Find it first, then decide how to fix it.
In short
- A moving meter with everything off means a leak
- Locate before repairing
- Spot repair or reroute are the usual choices
How a Hidden Leak Shows Up
- A water bill that rises with no change in how the house is used.
- The sound of running water when everything is off.
- A warm spot on the floor, which suggests a leak on the hot line.
- A damp strip along the slab edge, wet carpet at a wall, or lifted flooring.
- Low water pressure at the fixtures.
Source: General plumbing practice; the plumber's leak locating on a particular house controls
What the Plumber Will Look At
Slab-on-grade is how nearly every house here is built, which puts the supply lines for part of the house in or under the concrete. After the meter check, the plumber isolates the leak to a side of the house and then locates it, usually electronically, before anyone cuts anything.
The choices are then a spot repair through a small opening in the floor, rerouting the line through the attic or walls so the leaking section is abandoned, or in a house with failing pipe throughout, a larger repipe. Which one fits depends on where the leak is, what the pipe is and what the house looks like, and the pro prices it after the locate.
Common Questions
How do I check for a leak myself?
Shut off every fixture and appliance that uses water, then look at the meter. If the low-flow indicator or the dial is still turning, water is going somewhere. If the dial is still, the leak is probably not between the meter and the house.
Is every wet spot a slab leak?
No. A damp slab edge can be a leaking hose bib, a sprinkler line, or surface water running toward the foundation. The pro locates the leak before suggesting any repair.
Does a slab leak mean the house is failing?
Not by itself. A supply pipe under the slab is a pipe like any other; it can corrode or wear against concrete and fail. A foundation problem is a separate question for a different trade.
A water bill that makes no sense?
Call. Do the meter check first and tell the pro what you saw.