Slab Leak Detection & Repair
Water leaks not only end up wasting a lot of water, but the damage caused by ongoing saturation can also cost businesses and homeowners a lot of money in repairs. Additionally, if a water leak is left alone, mold can begin to grow, causing health issues for inhabitants. If you have all of the signs of a leak but can’t find its source, it may be a slab leak. Sunshine Plumbing and Gas has experienced Gainesville and Ocala plumbers and the right equipment to detect slab leaks and repair them right away.
Whether it’s commercial plumbing or residential plumbing, we can find the cause of your leak and ensure that it’s swiftly repaired. Contact our Ocala and Gainesville plumbers to schedule an appointment today or learn more about our wide range of plumbing services.
What Is A Slab Leak?
Most buildings are built on a slab of concrete, with pipes and plumbing installed beneath the slab. Occasionally, the pressurized pipes begin to leak, causing water damage to the foundation of the building. These leaks can occur either inside the incoming water line or the sewer line. A foundation leak is usually caused by either improper installation of the piping or soil instability caused by seasonal conditions.
Left alone, the hole for the leak will become larger due to the pressurized water moving through the pipe. This will increase the size of the leak and exponentially cause more damage and waste more water.
Slab Leak Detection
Most plumbing leaks happen behind a wall or underneath the floor, where they can go unnoticed for months, sometimes even years. However, there are a few telltale signs to look for, which include the following.
- Higher Water Bills
- Spinning Water Meter
- Cracking Walls Or Peeling Wallpaper
- Damp Or Wet Flooring
- Warm Spots On The Floor
- Warped Or Caved Flooring
- Foul Or Musty Odors
- Mold Or Mildew Growth
- Soggy Spots In The Yard
- Areas Of Fast Growth In The Yard
- Foundation Movement
If you have noticed any of these signs or suspect a leak for any other reason, our plumbers in Gainesville and Ocala will use specialized equipment to determine the exact location of the leak without the need for further property damage. In the case of a leak, it is important to contact us right away! We are available for 24-hour emergency plumbing.
Dangers Of A Slab Leak
While concrete may seem impervious to most damage, water is more powerful than it looks. Just like water cutting through the solid rocks of the Grand Canyon, water can severely damage the foundation of your home. Foundation repairs are not only expensive, given their location and function, but can also pose a serious threat to the stability of your building’s structure.
Additionally, it can ruin your flooring, causing warped areas or spots to be ripped up and replaced entirely. Mold and mildew can also begin to grow, causing foul odors throughout your home and potential health risks. Even your yard can suffer damage, leading to whole patches of landscaping being drenched and promoting the rise of the mosquito population. A slab leak by itself will cause nothing but grief, and leaving it alone will only further the issue.
Slab Leak Repair
Depending on the location and the severity of the leak, there are a few options available for plumbing slab leak repair. Once the leak is detected, our technicians will review your choices for a slab leak repair. We will also try to use the repair technique resulting in the least amount of damage to your home or business whenever possible. Some common repairs include the following.
- Repiping the plumbing system. We will remove the damaged piping and replace it with upgraded, new piping if possible.
- Rerouting the pipes. When multiple leaks are present, it is sometimes better to bypass the problem area and reroute the pipes with new piping.
- Pipe coatings. We can use a plumbing camera to determine the size of the leak. If it is small enough, we may apply a special coating to stop the leak.
- Trenchless plumbing repair. This repair will limit the amount of excavation required to reach and replace the piping.
