Slab Leaks and Leak Detection in Plano & the Surrounding Areas
A slab is another name for the concrete foundation that some homes are built upon. Because it supports your entire home, it’s important for your slab to remain strong and unbroken. A slab is usually installed above the water and sewer lines; if those lines deteriorate or break, they can release water beneath your home’s foundation, risking cracks or weakening.
Every homeowner’s nightmare is to discover they may have a slab leak. Don’t worry – Harvey West Plumbing Company is capable of performing leak detection and making the situation less destructive and more affordable.
There are two types of slab leaks – fresh water and sewer water. Slab leaks are usually discovered after a plumber is called in for repairs that are symptomatic of a slab leak.
Water slab leaks are normally discovered because of abnormally high water or gas utility bills, hearing water running without a source, hot spots on the floor, wet spots on the floor, and occasionally foundation problems.
Sewer slab leaks are typically discovered due to foundation problems or constant sewer stoppages.
If you notice any of these issues, contacting a plumber quickly can make a big difference. At Harvey West Plumbing, we provide slab leak detection and repair services to those in and around Allen, McKinney, Plano, Wylie, Murphy, Parker, Sachse, and Richardson, TX. Call today for service.
Slab leak determination
Depending on your circumstances and because each situation varies, we may be able to perform the water test only or the sewer test only, but in some cases both tests are necessary.
Determining if there is a fresh water leak below the slab foundation
A water leak test is simple and quick. This is as effortless as inspecting your water meter for movement and can easily rule out a slab leak if there is no water moving. If there is water moving through the meter, our licensed plumbers must determine where the water is going
Determining if there is a sewer water leak below the slab foundation
A sewer leak test is more difficult to perform than a fresh water leak test. Main sewer line clean-outs must be present to properly test the sewer system. We will fill the entire system with water and use a test ball to plug the sewer system. Our licensed plumbers will observe the sewer system to see if the level of water drops. Depending on the level of drop, it will determine if there is a leak present or not.
Fresh Water Leak Location or Sewer Leak isolation test
Fresh Water Leak Location – If our licensed plumber determines that there is a fresh water leak under the slab, he will immediately cut off the water. Then, air is pumped into the water lines and a special listening device is used to detect air escaping to pinpoint the location of the leak on your water system.
Sewer Leak isolation test – We will isolate the sewer leak(s) under the slab foundation by using different sized inflatable test balls and air hoses. We will test each section of the system with the test balls until the leak(s) is located. A camera may only show large separations in the pipe, but will not necessarily show a small crack. What may look like a leak on the camera may not actually be a leak, so using the camera to locate sewer leaks may not be as effective.
Access and Repair of Fresh Water Leak or Sewer Water Leak
There are two ways to access a leak under the concrete slab. One option is to jackhammer through the slab foundation and dig to the leak.
Tunneling under the foundation from the outside is the other way to access a leak. This may be the best way to access and repair sewer water leaks due to the size and possible length of pipe that may be damaged.