subject: Detecting Plumbing Leaks Under Your Concrete Slab Home [print this page] A plumbing leak under your slab is not only a serious problem, its not something many homeowners often think about; let alone, have to worry about. But when problems arise from faulty plumbing materials or poor installations during construction, under slab plumbing leaks are one of the worst problemsand least detected, making their locations difficult to interpret at best. While its like searching for a needle in a haystack for the uninitiated homeowner, its like a submarine sinking a battleship for a licensed and insured underground leak detection company.
Simple Leak Detection Methods
Even though its always a good idea to have a professional underground location specialist check your home for underground water leaks, you can determine easily enough if your water leak is actually under your slab, or if its in the main line that feeds the from the water meter or well pump head. Typically, the main shutoff valve looks like a conventional faucet head, but is painted bright blue to signify the main feed. This is often found on the outside of the home, in the garage and even in the basement.
Once youve accessed the main shutoff valve, you can turn off the water to the home. Check the water meter numbers or stay by the well pumpyou may need to wait about fifteen minutes for any effects to take place. If the well pump turns on repeatedly or the main water meter (down by the road) keeps turning, you have a leak thats in your main line and not under the slab.
Upon your return into the home, turn on the nearest faucet and check the pressure. If there is air in the line, little-to-no water pressure or gurgling after the faucets drained, you may have a water leak under your slab or in the home. Even the weakest of water leaks can turn into a dangerous problem. Sinkholes, water rotting wood fungus and foundation damages can permanently ruin your home, ensuring an expensive repair job at best.
Water Pressure Problems
Sometimes, under slab water leaks can go on for years without notice. By the time they are caught; its often too late, the damages have already been done. Water pressure problems are often one of the first signs that you may have a water leak under your homes concrete slab. Whether you have a well pump or city water, poor water pressure can be caused by a number of problems and may need to be solved using a number of solutions. If water pressure problems persist where they once were not, you may be experiencing the early stages of an under slab water leak.
While plumbers often have a good chance of finding your plumbing water pressure problems first, if all solutions have failed, its a good chance that you have a water leak under your homes concrete slab. Be sure that you contact a licensed, insured and experienced underground leak detection specialist like Southern Leak Detection if youve already hired a plumber to no avail, so we can solve all of your underground leak problems soonerrather than later. We have been in business in the greater Birmingham area for over 18 years and have what it takes to find and fix any underground utility problems you may havelarge or small. Call us right now so we can solve all your underground irrigation troubles and stop any underground leak problem today.
