When we think about threats to our homes, we often picture storms, break-ins, or power outages. But one of the most dangerous problems might be hiding silently beneath your feet: a slab leak. These underground pipe leaks form beneath the concrete foundation of your home, slowly and steadily causing structural damage, raising your water bills, and encouraging mold growth long before you notice a single symptom.

Slab leaks are tricky. They’re hard to detect, easy to ignore, and expensive if left unresolved. The good news is that modern technology and experienced plumbing professionals can spot and fix them early before they turn into a foundation-level disaster.

What Causes a Slab Leak?

Your home’s water supply and drainage pipes often run beneath the concrete slab that serves as your foundation. Over time, these pipes are subjected to all kinds of pressure: soil shifting, corrosion, chemical reactions with minerals in the water, and even installation defects. Eventually, one of them can crack or wear down, allowing water to leak directly beneath your foundation.

Slab leaks are especially common in older homes, but they can happen anywhere. The key is knowing what to watch for before the damage spreads.

How Do You Know You Have a Slab Leak?

Because slab leaks are hidden, they don’t make themselves known right away. But if you know the signs, you can catch the issue early:

• Unexplained spikes in your water bill
• Damp spots on the flooring or warm areas on the tile
• The sound of running water when all taps are off
• Cracks in the foundation, walls, or flooring
• Low water pressure without a visible leak
• Moldy odors or mildew around the baseboards

Any of these could be the first clue that water is escaping below your foundation. If you suspect something’s wrong, don’t wait. Slab leak repair gets more difficult, and expensive, the longer it’s ignored.

How Professionals Detect Slab Leaks

Slab leaks used to require invasive work to locate. Fortunately, detection has come a long way. At Acute Plumbing Care, we use specialized tools to pinpoint the leak with minimal disruption to your home.

1. Acoustic Listening Equipment:Water makes sound as it moves, especially through cracks. Sensitive devices can detect the precise point of a leak through concrete using subtle sound cues.
2. Infrared Thermography:If the leak is coming from a hot water pipe, infrared cameras can detect temperature variations in the slab that point to its location.
3. Pressure Testing:If the water system can’t hold pressure, there’s likely a leak. This test narrows down the problem area.

What Happens During Slab Leak Repair?

Once we locate the leak, the next step is determining the best repair strategy. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution; our team chooses the least invasive option that provides a lasting fix.

1. Spot Repair:If the leak is isolated and easily accessible, we may break through a small section of concrete and fix the pipe directly. This is a quick fix but not always suitable if the pipe is too deteriorated.
2. Rerouting:For homes with multiple leaks or fragile piping, we may recommend rerouting new piping around the slab rather than digging into it. This avoids further slab damage and gives you a stronger, longer-lasting system.
3. Epoxy Pipe Lining:In some cases, we can insert an epoxy lining into the existing pipe to seal the leak from the inside, reducing the need for digging.

We Protect Your Home Like It’s Our Own

At Acute Plumbing Care, we treat your home with the same urgency and respect we’d expect for ours. With over 30 years of experience, we’ve seen what slab leaks can do, and we know how to stop them before they cause lasting harm.

We use the latest detection technology, offer honest quotes upfront, and provide slab leak repair services with skill and care. Our technicians are punctual, fully trained, and always equipped to do the job right the first time.

If you’ve noticed suspicious signs or just want peace of mind, reach out to us today. We also specialize in clogged drain repair, tankless water heater repair, toilet repair, kitchen faucet repair, and more.