Of all the leaks, perhaps the most severe ones are slab leaks. Though you may consider slab leaks among the things that do not require your immediate attention, they do. Ignoring the slab leaks might swiftly become a difficult and costly situation. But what are slab leaks? When the drainage or water lines below the concrete slab at your Knoxville, TN home stand on a leak that results in a slab leak, these leaks are different and more complicated than the cracks or pinhole leaks that result when the pipes above the concrete slab spring a leak. When you notice these leaks, ensure that you immediately enlist a plumber to have the problem fixed before it damages the structural foundation of your home.
Causes of Slab Leaks
Although there could be various causes of slab leaks, the following are the most common ones. They include:
Nicked Line
Sometimes, the slab leaks are caused by the waterline damage that happened when installed or when the construction workers were laying the concrete slab. Although such damage might not be considerably large enough to cause a significant slab leak initially, it might worsen as time passes. Additionally, it is worth noting that even the smallest of leaks hiding below the slab or behind the walls might result in serious wear and tear. It might erode just a minor nick to a point where the crack begins heavily leaking. Hence, call a plumber immediately whenever you suspect there is even a minor slab leak.
Ground Shift
Your massive home is a heavy structure. Its weight takes a massive toll on the ground and the foundation built on as time passes. Ultimately, this results in ground shifts and settling. If the shift is considerably large, the shift might pressure your home’s drainage system and water lines, especially those buried under the concrete slab. This results in cracking and leaks on those pipes, compelling you to seek help from a local plumber.
Furthermore, natural disasters like seismic movements also can have a similar effect. However, the ground moves much faster, resulting in serious damage. Earthquakes can damage the pipes beneath the slab within a minute.
Faulty Wrapping
The pipes at your home, especially the hot water pipes, expand, contract, and relax based on the water temperatures as they supply water to different outlets at your home. If they aren’t covered with the right wrapping, the pipes might buff directly against harsh concrete slab. When this happens over time, it might result in cracks and perforations that might lead to slab leaks. Unfortunately, the plumbing pipes aren’t always wrapped properly, leaving them vulnerable to cracking and spring leaks sooner or later.
Electrolysis
This is a chemical-related procedure that arises whenever copper pipes react with the minerals in the soils under your house. It triggers a small electric reaction that results in a slow but steady erosion of your copper pipes, resulting in slab leaks.
What Shows There Are Slab Leaks?
Knowing the signs that there may be leaks under the concrete slab is critical. It ensures that you can take measures to have them repaired on time. This is critical in preventing widespread damage to the foundation, high water wastage, and impacting the structural integrity of your home. If left unfixed, you will be paying high water bills, and your home might experience structural damage, which will cost you heavily to have restored. Hence, have a plumber fix the slab leaks to avoid these expensive repairs and restorations. If you’re confused about what a slab leak looks like, below are the five signs to watch out for.
Mold
Once the water seeps into your floor, it travels up the walls of your Knoxville, TN home. Because they are dry, the walls quickly absorb the water. The now damp walls create the perfect conditions for mold growth in your home. Have you noticed some mold spots on your walls? Then you should have a plumber inspect the plumbing system, especially the pipes under the slab. Remember, mold can result in serious respiratory complications. Hence, it should be cleared as soon as possible.
Warped Floor or Damp Carpets
If the slab leak has been going on for some time, then the concrete slab at your home starts absorbing the leaking water. When the concrete slab is saturated completely, the water finds its way into your flooring or bathroom carpets. Hence, check whether your carpets or flooring are damp. If they are, have a plumber come to your home for a plumbing inspection and fix the slab leaks.
Yard Damage
Sometimes, the leaky pipes run beneath your backyard rather than in your house. They might make your yard have lush patches of vegetation like grasses. Further, water puddles form in your yard, giving it an unsightly look. Fortunately, this will not damage your home’s foundation, and since the sign is immediately visible, you can have a plumber come over to fix the issue.
Smell
Water has found its way to the surface whenever the slab leaks, and you might start experiencing some foreign smell. Check whether the carpet, flooring, or wood has become damp if you notice a musky smell. If you smell a musty or moldy smell, it means that mold has grown on the floor or walls of your home. Though the moldy smell is bad, the situation can worsen if the leaking pipe is a drain. The smell might be even far stronger.
Damage to the Foundation
The foundation on which your house rests is made of steel supports and a concrete slab. Therefore, slab leaks at your Knoxville, TN home might result in crevices and cracks on the foundation, exhibit bumps, and raises on the flooring. This has a serious impact on your home’s structural integrity. You should hire a plumbing expert for routine plumbing maintenance and inspections to avoid all these. The plumber will catch the slab leaks before they become this pronounced.
Your Plumbing Professionals in Knoxville
Slab leaks are not your ordinary leaks. They pose a significant threat to your home’s structural integrity. Hence, they should be addressed early before they turn catastrophic. However, since the pipes are buried under the concrete slab, noticing them might be difficult. Hence, you should have a plumber perform regular inspections to detect and fix them early. Do you need a slab leak inspection at your home? Call us today at My Professional Plumber.