Slab leak Services in Pensacola, Florida

What is a slab leak?

Slab Leak small hole — Location is key to minimizing damage.

A slab leak occurs under a concrete slab when the water pipes supplying a building fail in some way. This is a unique problem for homes and buildings that have concrete foundations. A house above grade is a much simpler fix that may only take an hour of crawling and repair. A building with plumbing under a concrete foundation requires identifying the problem, locating the source of the problem, removing concrete and soil, fixing the issue, and finally repairing the concrete slab.

So, what causes failure? There are several factors but the most common are:

Abrasion: Water pipes move slightly. Over time, that subtle movement can wear against rocks and other hard surfaces until a hole forms.
Chemistry: High acidic water or too much alkaline in the soil can thin copper pipes over time and result in an unsuitable environment for your copper pipes.
Improper installation: If your pipe was put in kinked, dented this could be a point of failure over time.
Material defects: Sometimes, material from the manufactory is just poor quality or impurities result in pinhole leaks.

Do I have a slab leak?

slab leak leaking pipe — No slab leak can hide from us.

Slab leaks can cause damage to your home and increase your water bills if left untreated. Some common signs of a slab leak are:

Wet spots on the floor.
Low water pressure.
Buckling wooden floors.
Higher than normal water bills.
Running water sounds.
Warm or hot floors.

The US EPA has several good tips for determining if you have a leak and how much they cost you.

How do I fix a water pipe leaking under concrete?

Slab Leak with water — Slab leaks are pressurized and can dump a lot of water quickly.

There are different methods for repairing a slab leak depending on the type and location of the leak. Some of these methods are:

A spot repair: This involves breaking through the concrete floor and replacing a small section of pipe. This is the most common method and can sometimes only take a few hours.
A re-pipe: This adds new plumbing through the attic or around the perimeter, bypassing the old pipes under the foundation. This is your most expensive option, but it could be your best option if you have more than one slab leak.
Pipelining: This applies a lining inside the existing pipe to seal small to mid-size leaks. This is less invasive than breaking through the floor but may not work for larger leaks.
Tunneling: If possible, some foundations can be tunneled under, and a repair can be done without cutting a hole in your floor.

How much does a repair cost?

Slab leak repaired pipe — Repairs for underground copper require brazing.

The cost of repairing a slab leak can vary depending on several factors such as the method used, the materials needed, and the labor involved. S.E. Tradesmen’s flat rate for a spot repair is $1,400. It can take a few hours, or it could take all day. We don’t know until we’ve located the leak and assessed the damage. Our re-pipe flat rate is $4 per linear foot of pipe replaced. For a 1500 sq ft home with 2 baths, this would be around $6,000. Repairs will take a full two days. Situations vary, and only an on-site inspection can give you an accurate cost of repair.

When to call a plumber?

You should call a plumber about a slab leak as soon as you notice any of the signs that indicate a possible leak under your concrete floor. Delaying calling a plumber can cause more damage to your home and increase the cost of repair. We can help you locate and fix the slab leak using various methods depending on the type and location of the leak.

When it comes to slab leaks, trust the team with proven experience.

If you think you have a slab leak in Pensacola, FL, pick up the phone and call us at 850-738-2023 or schedule on our website.