A single cracked or missing tile on your floor might be easy to detect, but what about the hidden-away trouble below your feet? There’s a good chance that leaks in your slab have developed under the foundations of your house, and you might not even know about it.
Potential issues that start underground can cause major, and expensive, problems for your home. Here are the slab leak signs that you need to watch out for.
Table of Contents
1. A Sudden Rise in Your Water Bill
A sudden rise in your water bill is definitely one of the key signs of a slab leak in your home. Compared to the regular bill, if you notice that there’s been a considerable increase in that amount, then there’s a possibility that a slab leak is present.
In addition to the higher-than-usual bill amount, you may also notice that water is accumulating on the sides of the foundation, causing water patches and discoloration on the floors or walls.
Also Read: A Homeowner’s Guide to Tree Damage and Roof Repair
2. An Unexpected Loss of Water Pressure
Suddenly noticing a decrease in water flow or pressure can be a sign of a broken water line located below the concrete slab your home is built on.
In a worst-case scenario, a major pipe break can lead to extensive structural damage from water seeping through the slab. If water pressure suddenly decreases in one area of the home, but not in other areas, there is a good chance that there is a slab leak.
3. An Unexplained Mildew Smell in Your Home
A strange mildew smell in your home can be a sign of a slab leak. This unfortunate issue often goes unnoticed for many months or even years. As the slab leak sets in, the smell of mildew will spread throughout the house as a result of the moisture that has been accumulating in the area.
Before a slab leak has fully set in, there may also be a musky odor that indicates areas of high humidity, such as bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms.
4. Damp & Damaged Flooring
One of the most obvious signs of slab leak damage in your home is damp and damaged flooring. Slab leaks will cause water to seep into the subfloor, leading to moisture damage to the wood, and causing warping, staining or discoloration, buckling, and cupping.
In older homes, the damage may be more noticeable due to weakened foundations or base structural components. In extreme cases, you may even see visible signs of water pooling on the floor or water dripping from the ceiling.
5. Water Pooling Inside & Outside Your Home
Water pooling inside the home is often a sign of a potential slab leak. Slab leaks occur when a pipe beneath the concrete foundation of a house begins to leak. The water is usually seeping up through the slab or along the floor joists, creating puddles or pooling in the basement or in crawl spaces.
If left unchecked, these leaks can cause significant damage to the foundation of a house, as well as lead to an increased water bill or ongoing water damage. If you notice these signs, call an expert from Quick Pro Plumbing immediately.
Also Read: 5 Advices: Where to Find and How to Choose a Professional Plumber?
Watch Out These Slab Leak Signs
The longer slab leaks go without repair, the worse the damage and costly repairs can be. If you suspect a slab leak, it is important to call an experienced plumber immediately to diagnose and repair the leak.
Don’t wait for these slab leak signs to worsen-call a professional plumber today to get the help you need.
Looking for more tips and ideas? We’ve got you covered. Check out some of our other posts now.
Leave a Reply