Yucaipa & Riverside CA Area Slab Leak Repair
Trust Schuelke Plumbing for Fast Repairs
A slab leak is an industry term that refers to leaks that occur in copper pipes under the concrete foundations of your home. Not only can slab leaks result in diminished water supply, but they can also cause damage to the surrounding concrete, compromising its strength and integrity. Slab leaks are something that you need to deal with as quickly as possible to prevent any long-term structural damage and restore adequate water supply.
How Common Are Slab Leaks?
The frequency of slab leaks depends on your location and a host of other factors. Slab leaks are particularly common in geologically active regions, such as California. Shifts in the ground case foundations to move and underground pipes to shear. Slab leaks are also more common in older neighborhoods than newer ones. Copper pipes corrode over time, leading to gaps through which water can escape.
What are Warning Signs Of A Slab Leak?
So, how do you know you have a slab leak? The first warning sign that there might be something wrong is a spike in your water bill. If the water is draining into the ground past the meter, then you could be liable for additional, unwanted water usage.
You may also notice the sound of running water, even when pipes are not in use. Running water has to go somewhere, so if none of the faucets in your home are open, then it could indicate that you have an unresolved slab leak underground.
There are many other signs that you can look for. Check for signs of water pooling around the base of your home and look for rapid mold buildup in areas around the basement. The weight of water can sometimes also cause cracking along baseboards and walls, so check for hairline cracks in the walls, especially those that appear accompanied by the smell of mold.
How Do I Repair a Slab Leak?
The good news is that with the right professional help, slab leaks can be repaired and your home restored back to normal.
In general, there are three ways of performing a slab leak repair.
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Cut Open The Foundation. The most common technique for fixing a slab leak repair in modern homes is to use specialized equipment to cut into the foundations, strip out the old pipe, and replace it with a new one.
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Foam Treatment. The second method is to pump a special kind of foam into the pipe that helps seal it, preventing water from escaping into the surrounding area. Foam treatment is usually reserved for situations in which cutting open the foundations is not cost-effective.
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Full Re-Piping. When a stretch of piping is old and corroded, it’s not always good enough to remove and replace the leaking section. Often, the entire length of pipe has to be replaced, especially when leaks recur regularly. Full re-piping is most common in older houses.
How Long Does It Take To Fix A Slab Leak?
Although repairing a slab leak sounds like a big job (after all, it involves cutting into the foundations), most slab leaks can be fixed in under a day. Of course, in certain situations, repairs can take longer. But with professionals by your side, you can usually resolve any issues within a couple of days.
What Causes Slab Leaks?
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Poor Installation. Sadly, one of the most common causes of slab leaks is poor installation. Pipes laid underneath concrete foundations can become damaged while the house is under construction. Pipes can also suffer damage while in use if they are not installed correctly in the first instance.
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Shifts In The Ground. Although pipes are designed to cope with some ground movement, shifting soil underneath your home can put them under pressure and cause them to burst.
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Corrosion. Although copper (and other piping materials) are resistant to corrosion, the combination of soil and water can eventually damage them to the point where they lose their structural integrity.
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Abrasion. Pipes are designed to expand and contract as water flows through them. However, if the outer surface of the tube is in contact with something abrasive, like rocks, concrete or gravel, then they will wear down over time. If enough material is removed from the surface of the pipe, then it could lead to a slab leak.
Fix Your Slab Leak With Schuelke Plumbing Today: Call the # of this page or chat with a professional now.
A little about Schuelke Plumbing….
If you want reliable plumbing experts within a 50-mile radius of Yucaipa, CA, then get in touch with us today. We’ve been fixing slab leaks since the 1980s, and offer a range of financing options to make your repairs more affordable. We are now 3 generations of plumbers that started back in the 1970’s.
Let’s face it….
A leak under your slab can cause problems ranging from humidity issues in your home to severe water damage. It’s essential to detect and fix leaks before they can cause thousands of dollars of damage. Be sure to call a professional if you suspect a plumbing leak under your home.
As a reminder, you may have a slab leak if you notice:
- Damp flooring or carpet
- Moist baseboards
- Unexplained mold in your home
- Damage to your home’s foundation
- High water bills
A slab leak repair requires specialized expertise and tools. Choose a skilled Inland Empire plumber who does more than jackhammer through your foundation. Instead, make sure they offer options such as epoxy restoration, re-piping, pipe-rerouting, and more. Using the right techniques can limit damage and dirt within your home. You may also want to discuss our video leak detection methods if you suspect a leak somewhere on your property.
Water beneath your foundation can ruin your home. Contact us for slab leak detection and repair in Yucaipa and San Bernardino County today!
Choose Schuelke Plumbing as Your Inland Empire Plumber
When you’re looking for an expert plumber for your slab leak repair or other plumbing needs, be sure to contact Schuelke Plumbing. Located in Yucaipa, we’ve been serving the Inland Empire and both San Bernardino and Riverside counties since 1978 and we take pride in providing reliable, high-quality work.
For large repairs, we offer a variety of financing options to make the work more affordable. We also offer senior and military discounts as our way to honor those who have done so much for us. With free estimates and 24/7 emergency service, Schuelke Plumbing is the right choice.
If you suspect a slab leak, it’s important to schedule a free estimate for slab leak detection and repair. We’re here for you.
Contact us at (909) 280-4012 today!