Translating…
Slab leaks are leaks in one of the water lines running under or through the concrete floor of your house, and they may occur on a drain line, or a cold or hot water supply line. This is often one of the most dreaded issues any homeowner will face, as slab leaks are costly, both in terms of damage and repair.
Unfortunately, many slab leaks go undetected for a long time and many homeowners do not know they have an issue until they find a wet spot on their flooring. Homeowners insurance does not usually cover the cost of repairs and you may be looking at a bill over $ 2,000 to fix the leak by hiring a professional plumber.
It’s important to have these leaks fixed as soon as you can because the longer you wait, the higher the cost and the worse the damage. Curious what could happen if you let the problem go on? Here are the biggest issues you’ll need to worry about.
Foundation Damage
For the most part, the foundation of your home is a large slab of concrete with steel supports, and a slab leak will cause damage to your foundation over time. Slab leaks can even cause the foundation to crack, move or rise, which then compromises the integrity of your own house!
Climbing Water Bills
Even small leaks can add up quickly, and a simple dripping faucet may cost you more than $ 10 a month. A steady stream may increase your water bill by $ 50 to $ 100 per month, and a slab leak is no different. Until it’s fixed, a slab leak will cause your water bill to climb steadily, potentially costing you hundreds every month and thousands a year in wasted water. While these leaks are expensive to fix, you’ll save money by adding it as soon as possible.
Damage to Your Floors
When you have water leaking under your home’s foundation, it will always start to move up when it runs out of room. A slab leak can ruin your carpeting, crack tile floors, cause bubbles in linoleum and destroy hardwood floors. The cost to repair any one of these issues can easily cost thousands.
Encourage Mold Growth
Mold is a real danger that comes from water leaking into your home. The drywall in your house will basically act like a sponge, pulling in the water from the leak and then moving it through your walls. Once there, mold has an ideal atmosphere for growth. It will only take a couple of days for mold to begin growin in your walls, and mold spores are known to cause large respiratory infections, asthma and much worse. If you have someone in your home with a compromised immune system, including children, this can get very dangerous. Once you have a mold problem, you will need a specialist to have it removed safely.
Musty Odors in Your Home
If the leak is left alone for too long, your home will start to develop a terrible musty odor. That’s assuming the leak is in a hot or cold water supply line. If you have a slab leak in a sewer line pipe, your home will begin to smell like raw sewage.
Slab Leaks Destroy Your Yard
Finally, it’s important to understand that slab leaks may occur in your water mail line or your sewer line, and the leak may be under your yard, not your house. While you will not have to deal with floor and wall damage or mold in your home, your landscaping and lawn will be destroyed. Slab leaks can also cause major structural damage if they occur near your pool.
The bottom line is these leaks are a very serious issue that should never be ignored. If you notice your water bill rising or see dead spots or pooling water on your lawn, contact a professional plumber right away to diagnose the issue and fix it as soon as possible.