Is your home experiencing a slab leak? A slab leak is a term used to describe a water pipe leak under a concrete floor and can cause big issues if not attended to immediately. Let’s explore how to detect underground concrete leaks or also known as slab heave.
Slab leaks affect buildings and structures of all ages. A minor water leak under concrete can develop into a costly and inconvenient situation over time. The faster we detect a water leak underground, the lower your repair costs will be.
Finding a water pipe leak under concrete isn’t an easy task and will more than likely require the services of a professional leak detector or trusted plumber with the right equipment. However, you should be aware of the signs of a slab leak to detect it correctly.
Common Causes of Water Leaks Under Concrete
There are many common causes of a slab heave and how it occurs. When the faucet is turned off and you hear the sound of water, it’s one of the most obvious signs of a water pipe leak occurring under concrete.
If you find hot spots on the floor, it may indicate a hot water line leak. Another sign of a slab leak is mould or excessive moisture under your carpets. A damp carpet with signs of mildew or mould indicates a water pipe leak under concrete. This may also produce a peculiar odour at times.
Wet baseboards are another common sign of water leaks in concrete slabs happening at your property. We explore information on how we can look at this further:
- Locate the pipes in your house
- Check the water meter
- Perform the initial pressure test of your home
- Complete electronic leak detection steps
Locate The Pipes In Your House
You should know the location of the main water supply to your house to find water pipe leaks under concrete. There should be a main water shut-off valve installed inside your property.
This should be used in the case of an emergency or for repairs. It’s important that you take a tour inside the house and locate the plumbing system and know how it’s structured. This is the first step you need to take when locating water pipe leaks under concrete.
Check The Water Meter
Both minor and severe pipe leaks can be detected by performing a simple test by yourself. First, you need to turn off all water supply sources in your home and record the reading on the water meter.
Wait for 10 minutes and check the reading once again. If there is a difference in the reading, a water leak is likely. This is the best way to detect whether there is a leak in your home.
Perform The Initial Pressure Test Of Your Home
Testing the water pressure of your home isn’t a difficult task. It can easily be completed using an inexpensive pressure gauge. You should adjust the water pressure so that it doesn’t place excess stress on your plumbing system. This will help prevent water pipe leaks in the first place.
You should keep on testing the water pressure regularly to prevent the problem from damaging the plumbing system in your home.
Perform Complete Electronic Leak Detection Steps
There is non-invasive equipment to detect water leaks in your home including acoustic leak detection and thermal imaging procedures. That’s where you need the help of a professional leak detection company that can come out and assess the potential severity of the leak. This will prevent further damage to your property and save costs in the long term.
Call the leak experts
With hundreds of leak detection providers in the state, it’s not easy to find the right company that has the extensive knowledge, experience, and equipment to assess your leak problem. This is why Austest Pipeline Solutions are here to look at all underground water leak situations and can submit a fully detailed report of what’s happening to your slab heave.
For more information or to retrieve a free quote get in touch with our friendly staff today.